Debt Collection Question

[Antonia]

I owed on a credit card and was behind. A debt collector called October 15 and made a settlement offer - I was to pay $400 on October 24 and then the rest ($261) 30 days later. I took this to mean 30 days after October 24 - I distinctly remember repeating November 24 to him. However today this guy called and asked if I received his letter - which I have not - stating the settlement and tells me the rest is due tomorrow - Nov 15. He says 30 days from the day I made the settlement with him - but I am sure this is not what I agreed to - I agreed to October 24 and the remainder on November 24. He became very defensive and said that I was calling him a liar and said that I was going to break the settlement agreement and I once again told him that I never agreed to November 15. I don't really have the $261 to pay tomorrow. And I am sure that I agreed to pay it on November 24. Of course, he says that he has transcripts of our conversation and he tried to intimidate me with that. He says that if I pay any later than tomorrow that I will owe $461 instead of $261 because the settlement agreement will have been broken. I don't get paid until the 21st of November and I know in my heart that I agreed to November 24 with him - even wrote it down. He is a mean and nasty guy and actually hung up on me saying that I was calling him a liar. I offered to pay on November 21 rather than the 24th, but he would not budge. Anyone ever experience anything like this? I'm not proud of the situation, but at the same time I don't like being run over by the guy on something I never agreed to.

 

[C.Ann]

Oh dear.. Did you send him a check? Because if you did, he has your bank account number now and can try to obtain the money that way instead.. It happened to my former co-worker last year - they went into her account and swiped out $920 after a so-called "agreement"..

The worse thing you can do is to talk to these people and agree to ANYTHING without getting it in WRITING first.. It's their "job" to harass and intimidate you and they will stop at nothing..

At this point the best you can do is to keep a close eye on your checking account and when you DO send any additional money make sure you write a letter (saying everything you just said about the agreement, etc.), make a copy for yourself, and send it by REGISTERED mail.. That way if he "double dips" at least you have proof that he got the money TWICE..

Hey - don't get so down on yourself - everyone hits hard times sooner or later..

 

[C.Ann]

Forgot to add -

Go to this web site.... prairielaw.com

When you get there click on "Message Boards" and a whole list of them will come up.. Scroll down till you get to the one about Debt Collections and click on that.. You'll find an amaizing wealth of information and have an opportunity to read about other folks who have been "tricked" by these agreements as well..

Hope it works out for you - and try not to worry too much - okay?

 

[oogieboogie]

hi, my DH helps people with credit problems over the internet. He's had many dealings with horrible collectors.

Go to cardreport.com, post your problem and ask for help. There are a lot of good people out on that forum that can give you advice. My
DH's username is scott. He's pretty known there.

There are a lot of very devious and bad collection agencies out there. They aren't above lying and breaking the law just to get money out of you.

Good luck.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

also look up the Fair Debt Collection Practices law. it's a federal law. if a det collector does one of the things the law forbids, he could end up owing money to you.