|
|
| *Ostroff, Fair and Company>>>Credit |
Are these tactics legal? |
I had contacted a collection agency this afternoon to resolve a debt that is now 2 years old. In doing so they asked me for my phone # and address and I refused to give them either because I did not want to be hasseled by collectors. I explained I just want to know where to send payments to. He told me he couldnt give me the address unless I give my address and phone # (is that true?). After speaking with the supervisor (who was just as hard headed) I then went on to try and negotiate a payment arraignment and he said with it being so old of a debt they would only except payment in full. I then told him I will send a hundred dollar payment on the 2000.00 dollar medical debt and if they didnt want to except it they could send it back. I am a student and do not have 2000 and dont think I will see that much cash anytime in the immediate future. Will they send it back? Do I have good enough grounds for a resonable complaint and to whom do I complain because it seems there all jerks! Whooaaa! Stop! NEVER talk to collection agents on the phone! Nothing good can ever come from it! They are sneaky, slimy, scum of the earth. All your communicatinos and negotiations should be by mail. Your first letter should be a cease and desist letter, requesting that they cease all communications with you. After they receive that letter, by law they can NOT ever contact you again. The second should be a "pay for delete" or validation letter. Learn more about credit repair: Source(s): http://aaacreditguide.com/forums... http://aaacreditguide.com/pay-for-delete... http://aaacreditguide.com/validation-let... Keep all of this notated - and if they send the payment back - you can then legally get the debt taken off your credit since they refused to accept it. You do not need to give them any information. Your best bet is to contact the original debtor, and work out something with them, and screw the collection agency out of their commission. I own a credit repair company and I can tell you this for sure. They are trying to play hard ball. You can give them your phone number and address if that's what they want. But you can also prevent them from calling you about the debt. If you send them a cease and desist letter in writing and lay out the grounds for that cease and desist they can not call you and if they do, you can sue them. There isn't a wise collection agency that would refuse a reasonable payment plan. Send them a letter (certified ) explaining the payments that you can make comfortably. If they want to deny you, let them do it in writing. Chances are they won't. Collection agencies like to feel like they are in control. Let them know that you are in the driver's seat. Don't let them see you sweat. Send a payment to them with the letter explaining your intentions. Let them know by accepting and cashing the payment enclosed signifies that their company will honor the payment plan as explain the letter . Make sure you keep a copy of the letter. But make sure either way, that you get it in writing.Collection companies have been known to change their minds from the time you call to the time you hang up the phone. Try and deal with the same agent when you call. Don't let the conversation go south, no matter how hard they try. Kill them with kindness it works. Hope this helps. Although you may not have money to pay in full, they don't care. Because the debt is so old, they don't want you to get away again and that's why they want to get all of the information they can get in case they need to sue you. If they agree with the arrangement and continue to harass you then you have enough grounds to file a complaint. As long as you still owe them the money, they have the right to collect it. Work with them in a nice tone of voice. Yes, they can be jerks but you're the one who owe them the money. It won't do you any good if you get upset and yell at them. You can get a lot more out of them if you meet them half way. I worked for 2 major credit card companies in the past and present. I also have a master in marketing and studied finance. I've seen this almost everyday. You have ZERO grounds to complain. They have EVERY right to ask you for contact info just as you ahve every right not to give it to them. However, keep in mind that YOU are asking them for a favor by requesting payments on a bad debt, yet you will not give them what they are asking for. They are required to only give you contact information if you request it in writing. That is the law. If you send them payments they can send them back to you, they are under no obligation to take payments once an account ahs been turned to them. If you want a favor, you are going to have to give up info as well. Once you get the info you are requesting, and once you get your payment plan IN WORTING, send them a letter stating that they are only to contact you via te mail. you do have that right. Good luck |
| Tags |
| Investing Insurance Credit Corporations Other - Careers & Employment Technology |
Finance Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |