Question about dealing with a debt collection agency

[marmasatt]

The FIRST thing you do when you receive ANYTHING from a debt collector is (Repeat after me): "I dispute this alleged debt. Please validate."

That's it. DO NOT reply with ANYTHING else until you receive something else other than a bullshit letter.

In fact, you can write your own BS letter (which accomplishes above) there are plenty of templates. You say something like "I am not indicating debt is definitely not mine, but I signed no contract with your company. Please provide documents that show I owe you anything or that I'm supposed to pay you. Also please provide the document with my signature or authorization so I may see this debt is valid."

I haven't had a cup of coffee yet but thats the gist of it.

Edit: There are hundreds of templates. Just google Sample Validation Letter.

 

[Charmonium]

The OP should probably check this ftc website.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?

If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?

Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.
Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?

If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

Personally, I've had a variety of collection notices for various things over the year. They're usually the result of some dispute I don't feel like dealing with and I just ignore them. In my experience, if one collection agency can't get anything from you, they pass it on to another and another. Each time the value of the debt is discounted you tend to get increasingly aggressive collection agents.

I've gotten away w/o paying because usually the cost of filing a complaint and paying a lawyer isn't worth the expense for a couple hundred bucks. Several hundred is probably border line in terms of being worth it. But figure by the time the last agent got the debt, they didn't pay anywhere near what it is worth. They probably paid pennies on the dollar. So for them to write it off isn't a big deal and the people in between have already gotten a piece of the pie anyway by selling the debt.

 

[highland145]

Personally, I've had a variety of collection notices for various things over the year. They're usually the result of some dispute I don't feel like dealing with and I just ignore them. In my experience, if one collection agency can't get anything from you, they pass it on to another and another. Each time the value of the debt is discounted you tend to get increasingly aggressive collection agents.

I've gotten away w/o paying because usually the cost of filing a complaint and paying a lawyer isn't worth the expense for a couple hundred bucks. Several hundred is probably border line in terms of being worth it. But figure by the time the last agent got the debt, they didn't pay anywhere near what it is worth. They probably paid pennies on the dollar. So for them to write it off isn't a big deal and the people in between have already gotten a piece of the pie anyway by selling the debt.

Classy.

 

[Fritzo]

I don't think they can charge interest unless a credit application has been filed. They can charge fees, but not interest.

 

[inachu]

I was called at work once and the person calling was asking for a person who no longer worked here and the debit collector had the balls and asked if I could pay his bill for him.

I told the guy on the phone he owed me money and if anything he is going to pay me first.

 

[Charmonium]

Classy.

I know what you mean and you're right. But I look at this way. If I know a claim is unjustified, I'm not going to spend days in voice mail, elevator music hell just to try to prove my point. I know that they can't collect the debt unless they sue me and generally the only address they have for me is a po box so I just sit back and watch them spin their wheels. Also if they do ever actually sue me I have no problem with going pro se in my defense. But that's only happened once and was the result of a legitimate misunderstanding (on my part) which I corrected by paying what was asked.

 

[highland145]

Certainly, if it's unjustified, don't pay it but if you don't dispute it you'll get a credit hit. If it is justified and you ignore it because you know they aren't going to be able to collect.....

 

[Charmonium]

You're absolutely right and I don't want to give the impression that I do this on a regular basis. It's the rare exception. I think the last time was over a tivo subscription contract for a unit that I couldn't use and that was at least 4 or 5 years ago.

But the 'beauty' of having a collection agency after you, especially when they keep passing you off to someone new, is that you can collect enough dunning letters to wallpaper a room in very short order. I was actually saving them because some were pretty comical and I was thinking of doing just that.

 

[Homerboy]

I work for a collection agency/law firm. We're not all bad.

 

[edro]

You had the balls to NOT pay the amazingly low $15 interest and are mad they are charging you more interest now, an entire billing cycle later?

Damn son.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Show us on the doll where Daddy touched you.

No shit what an angry little man.

 

[PliotronX]

You had the balls to NOT pay the amazingly low $15 interest and are mad they are charging you more interest now, an entire billing cycle later?

Damn son.

 

[highland145]

^^^

lolol

 

[JM Aggie08]

OP, to kind of change the tone of this thread -- were you aware of the $600 you owed to begin with, or was it merely something you forgot about?

 

[Exterous]

I work for a collection agency/law firm. We're not all bad.

shens

 

[TechBoyJK]

Or you can, you know, pay your fucking debts on time so you don't have to continue being a totally irresponsible asshole and attempt to avoid interest on your fucking debt. You asshole. Take responsibility for your fucking actions and stop playing games. People like you are toxic to the system.


Edit: Yes, I am attacking the guy that finally decided to pay what he legally owed to a first party, refused to pay, now legally owes to a debt collector, and decided, again, to refuse to pay in full. He expects special treatment? From one post, I can gather enough information to identify this guy as what he is.

Well I think you just lost the respect of most of the forum.

Also, ignored.

 

[Homerboy]

shens

Nope. No shens.

 

[highland145]

Nope. No shens.

Pay him no attention. He's just lumping you in with me.

I did repo a tv once while the little kids were watching cartoons.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Pay him no attention. He's just lumping you in with me.

I did repo a tv once while the little kids were watching cartoons.

You soulless human! D:


Seriously, I didn't know you did that stuff, got any more juicy stories where hilarity has ensued? How the hell do you re-po a TV unless someone is STUPID enough to invite you into their home?

 

[Safeway]

Well I think you just lost the respect of most of the forum.

Also, ignored.

I don't mind offending people, or having you, specifically, ignore me. Others in this thread have said the same thing I said, albeit more tactfully. People like this guy and the other poster that purposefully dodged debts truly are irresponsible members of society. Pay what you owe.

You want to talk about loss of respect? Look at your posts in the obesity thread. For shame.

 

[edro]

You want to talk about loss of respect? Look at your posts in the obesity thread. For shame.

word.

You can hate fat people all you want, but not paying debts are ok.

Personally, I think you are both assholes.

You don't know the debtor's history or situation any more than you know a fat person's.

Judge not, or let thee be judged.

 

[Exterous]

Nope. No shens.

citation needed

I did repo a tv once while the little kids were watching cartoons.

Probably punched the puppy on your way out too :awe:

 

[brandonb]

I worked for and now contract for a debt collection company.

You have to understand that they work with thousands, if not 10s or 100s of thousands of accounts. They do try their best to be fair, but mistakes happen. But keep in mind that some are low life debt buyers who are not bound by any laws or rules since they own the debt themselves. (After behind sold by the original creditor).

Almost all agencies will take off the fees/offer a lower amount. It's always written into contracts, and usually about 70% of the original debt. So they will take $70 on a $100 bill without any authorization from the client. Any lower the debt collectors need to call the original creditor and ask for permission. So chances are they will waive any fee. Just give them a call.

Edit - As a side note. Most people are often rude to debt collectors. So in general the debt collector is a bit hostile to anybody they talk to. Just be cool with them and chances are you will get through their rough exterior. Most are good/nice people who seem mean at first.

 

[Genx87]

The OP should probably check this ftc website.




Personally, I've had a variety of collection notices for various things over the year. They're usually the result of some dispute I don't feel like dealing with and I just ignore them. In my experience, if one collection agency can't get anything from you, they pass it on to another and another. Each time the value of the debt is discounted you tend to get increasingly aggressive collection agents.

I've gotten away w/o paying because usually the cost of filing a complaint and paying a lawyer isn't worth the expense for a couple hundred bucks. Several hundred is probably border line in terms of being worth it. But figure by the time the last agent got the debt, they didn't pay anywhere near what it is worth. They probably paid pennies on the dollar. So for them to write it off isn't a big deal and the people in between have already gotten a piece of the pie anyway by selling the debt.

That is kind of weird they just dropped it. Most of these are in small claims court. They dont need to send a lawyer to represent them. Usually it is an agent of the company that will schedule to have dozens of cases on the same day. The guy\gal will literally be in court all day arguing for the debt. Most of the time default judgements are issued because the defendants never show up.

 

[highland145]

Probably punched the puppy on your way out too :awe:

Nope, I like dogs but the tv was plugged in the same power strip as granny's 02 machine....so may cords....:$