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I haven't read through this thread... however... my 2¢ worth...

Mark Silverthorn used to be one of the most hated people on this discussion forum... back in the day of Raymond, we had all sorts of comments about him...

Now that he's done a 180 degree turn, I have talked to him on the phone several times, he's done alot with the media to help out people. etc etc...

Mark obviously knows alot about the collection industry from both sides of the fence... I don't think he makes alot of money on helping people with collection agencies, but he does make money with the debt settlement aspect of the business..

Mark is smart.. he's in the game to make money... and I'm sure he does..

DanielBL... what's with the Edit's?

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Mr. Blake,

I'm sorry you are dissapointed with a turnaround of a few hours. I am not sure what your schedule is like today, or what your profession is, but I am engaged during business hours with my work, and posting to this consumer board is something I try to do in my spare time.

I am also aware you called my office today. I am not sure what I have personally done to offend you, but I would ask you and I to treat each other politely, until one of us gives the other cause to do otherwise.

If you have reason to attack the collections industry in general for improper behaviour, you would be surprised to find me on side with you on a number of issues. However, I would ask you to refrain from attacks on me personally.

I was employed by Inter Canada Credit, starting as a collector and finally ending as VP of Operations. However, I resigned from that company, and have no further association with it's current incarnation. I do not wish to get into a witch hunt or slander anyone on a public forum, so I will not get into further details regarding my former employer. They are no longer at 875 Main St W, having moved to another address in Hamilton.

However, I would suggest that I still hold a license from the Ministry because I believe it is possible to be a responsible collector and stay well within the guidelines of the Collection Agencies Act. In twenty years, I have had three consumer inquiries and zero complaints filed against my license. I believe that the consumers who are being contacted for outstanding debts are people with rights, and should be treated as such.

I post to this discussion board, have a professional blog, and give lectures to high school students about financial responsibility is because I honestly believe that 9 out of 10 consumers are not bad people -- our culture does not educate people on how to deal with debt. People live off credit, live beyond their means, procrastinate, cope poorly with financial crisis, and so on. I believe it is possible to represent a creditor responsibly, without demeaning a consumer, engaging in questionable tactics, and being honest. In other words, *transparency*.

Mr. Blake, I would suggest that you have an opportunity to have honest discourse with me about the collection industry -- I believe you and others here would benefit from my perspective 'on the other side'. If you are interested in personally attacking me, however, I would suggest taking this from a public forum, and I invite you to write to myself, since you have already looked up my company address.

Regards,
Blair Wettlaufer

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Hey, what's going on here? Are you the same Blair Wettlaufer whose collection agency was fined $100,000.00 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs?

Good Eye Dan! Just read those articles and like you, wonder how Blair here can still be doing this line of work?

O.C.

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Daniel,

If you do not care for my advice, you are certainly welcome to voice your own opinions, just as Mr. Silverthorn is.

From your tone, you seem to think I am looking to attack Mr. Silverthorn, or have a hidden agenda -- nothing of the sort. While I have not dealt with him personally, he and I have mutual personal friends, and any review I write of his book will be objective and professional. If you look at my original post, I am looking for *positive* information to share on Mr. Silverthorn.

While the entire collection industry is far from being "my buddies", I would agree with your opinion that multiple hits to a bureau with intent to drive down a bureau score is improper.

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