The Nerve of some people... Harrasing Me over x-ray bill while I'm packing to Evac!

[mickeymousefan]

I have been down that road with medical bills and collectors. My DD was born with multiple birth defects and before you know it, the bills and copays and deductibles add up. As for collection agencies, a lot of them work on commision so they are very eager to get you to pay. Some may settle for a lower amount than owed if you pay it all up front- that is my preference because I feel it is a win-win situation. Others will be more than happy to do pre set monthly deductions from a checking account. You negotiate the amount. I have been told (dont know if it is true) that if you send even a dollar a month, they cant touch you.
Once a collection agency gets your name and you dont make an arrangement, they will put a collection record on your credit report and that looks really bad!! We had one placed accidentally and it took an act of G-D to get it off.

I have had many calls from collectors that involved me telling them to kiss my you know what. But I learned that, like everything else in life, you get a lot more flexability if you are nice!!

 

[Tea Please]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
And you don't want something like $100 medical debt getting int he way of your credit rating. It is much easier to just take a small amount of time and talk to them, give them a commitment of a small amount monthly and they will not bother you.

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[phillybeth]

I don't know about FL, but in some states it is illegal for medical issues to appear on a credit statement. It is ALSO illegal for them to make more than one contact in a 24 hour period if they speak to a live person (not VM or answering machine). Calls are illegal before 8 AM and after 9 PM your local time (not theirs).

 

[JayBee]

Stupid question......can't you see on the phone who is calling you and just not answer?

But just agree to the $10 a month to stop the calls.Very Simple.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Sorry you're having to deal with this right now, and I think thats maybe why you chose the things you did... maybe in diff circumstances, you would have either NOT answered the calls when you saw them calling, OR, just agreed to pay $10 a month for now.

If I don't recognize a number, I don't answer on my cell. Easy as that.

I think the others have a point, and i agree that it's just easier to just tell them you'll do a payment plan to get them off your back, but I think you might have just had so many things on your mind that logic is gone NOT being rude, just trying to place myself in your shoes. I know I wouldnt be logical if I was preparing to evacuate my home.

=)

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I could have just said I'll pay X on X, but I did try that sorry I didn't mention it, and he wanted dates/times/exact amounts, etc... Also said that I should only commit if I knew I could follow through. I told him I would let them know something Monday and repeatedly got calls all throughout a two day period, thankfully no calls today...lol!
I posted as I was walking out, I litteraly type about 80 wpm... lol Fiance said once I should be a Stenograph instead of my current position. I was busy when he called, infact I was trying to secure my home.
Anyhow yes all of us in FL are under ALOT of stress, to boot I was just driving home after a 12 hour shift overnight last night and WHAP I was slammed in the back at a light by a guy who was speeding, my heart rate raced, etc... 130 pulse, 190/110 BP... yikes... but I'm ok now. What a day, it's a ghost town in Melbourne/Palm Bay. No Gas, No food, No NOTHING! However the ABC Liquors were open till late last night...
So far I'm staying here and sticking it out at a shelter, can't leave because it's too late no way to get anywhere now and DFiance has to work till Monday now 24/7 at his job. Prays go out to all my fellow Floridians!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Stay safe.

I agree with Aimeedyan. But if they do call again, try to set up a plan. You definately don't want your credit hurt over a lousy $100.

~Sheri

 

[lynxstch]

you should have made arrangements or paid the bill as soon as you could..but also..if they are in Tampa..and you are also in the hurrican's path..they should have used a little more common sense...but also..they cannot call you more than once in a 24 hr period if they are 'actually' speaking to you..they can leave messages on an answering machine more than once a day, I believe..but the law says that they can't do more than that or it's considered harassment..they are not allowed to call you multiple times in one day..keep track of the calls and report them to the phone company and the better business bureau if things keep up as they are...I also had to wonder if they were calling you on your cell..why you even bothered answering it..most cells have caller id/screening so you know who's calling!
in the meantime, stay safe from Frances..and hope all goes well!

 

[vettechick99]

It seems to me that in the beginning they had a verbal agreement that Monday this would get straightened out. They said ok to that. Then they harassed her for another 10+ calls! I think it's based on principle now! Who cares about these collectors when you have lots of other things on your mind? I bet they were all sitting in the pathetic cubicles enjoying hounding you to death.

Sorry you had them bothering you so much...

 

[mrsltg]

Your credit won't be hurt over this. They are going to go on for MONTHS before it appears on your credit. Don't answer the phone next time they call and, when you get a chance, write a letter telling them to stop harassing you. Pay the bill when you are able, after all, it was X-rays, not shoes.

Erin

 

[CajunDixie]

Sheeeeeeeeeesh You people are freakin brutal!! While you're sitting there in your nice safe chairs "advising" this lady she should have just made payment arrangements did you even think about being concerned for her well being?!!??? Last I heard human lives were worth more than $100.
Once she told them she would make arrangements Monday that should have been the end of the calls for that day. Anything more is considered harassment. She also specifically told them not to call her cell yet they ignored that.
My advice would be to go to Credit Boards and read up on collection agencies on the Credit Forum. Do not deal with the credit agency. Once you have read the Newbie stuff on the Credit Forum try asking them for advice on your problem.

Good luck this weekend!!

 

[Robbiesmommy21]

Cajundixie,

ITA. I don't understand why ya'll have to flame her. She wrote to us to vent. All she was asking for is for you to listen. I don't understand why you can't just say, I'm sorry that sucks and I'm praying that you and your family are ok during this time.

I'm praying for you and your family and I'm sure the collectors can wait till Monday or Tuesday. We were at Disney during Charlie and I know it can be scary.
Be Safe
Jacqueline

 

[diznygirl]

Even tho she told them not to call her cell phone, they will pull the ol' "We-need-that-in-writing" thing and they will have 30 days to comply after that. Been there with a work phone number.

Don't worry about it anymore. I don't know if you can call back on Monday - it's Labor Day. But call them back next week, ask to speak to a supervisor - they will have records of all the calls (even if they say they don't). Complain nicely. If you want to set up a payment plan, make sure they don't have interest or penalties. If they do, pay the whole thing off. Ask what name will appear on the credit card statement. Then call the credit card company and authorize one charge and one charge only to be authorized under that name.

Good luck and hope it all turns out well.