Hello Members, my debt with original creditor was sold to a debt purchaser, who recently sold it to another office. The new office states they will not be mailing monthly statements or receipts for my records. Is this unusual? Or is this common for some offices? It doesn't seem legal. The money orders are cashed, but I do not have anything for my records, other than the money order stub. I've only received two letters from this office stating how much I owe. But the letters were typed on plain white paper, without company letterhead or signature. I could have typed it. Also, the envelopes only display their business address, without name, and this company works under an umbrella of different names. Is this unusual? I'm concerned that in the future, if this particular "company name" is closed, I will have no proof of payment, as I will be making payments on this debt for a few years, and I'm sure it will be sold over and over. I've tried sending payments certified with return signature, but the envelopes are not being scanned as delivered(by the same postal carrier who has delivered to this office for years), and I do not always receive the signature cards back in the mail. This all seems too conincidental. I've voiced complaints to the post office supervisor without a solution. Basically, I'm told there is nothing they can do, if the item was not scanned or signed for. I should mention, that I originally made payments to the "original" creditor, for a year and a few months, but fell behind in payments due to illness, and the creditor stated, that if I signed new loan papers, they would erase the late payment history, and consider my next payment as the first payment. I believe they actually misplaced the original loan papers, which is the only reason they agreed to this. Still, things went well, and the office did exactly as promised, but immediately after, I had family emergencies and medical problems, which prevented me from continuing payments. The debt was sold, and now it appears on my credit report, as if I did not attempt to make payments. This is why I'm so concerned with verification of money sent. By the way, the SOL on this debt restarted when I resumed payments. If anyone has ideas, on how I can send payments, to assure verification in the future, without using usps or money orders, that would be great. Thank you so much. SunMotion
Or if the previous message is too long, if you're someone making payments to a debt collector or debt purchaser, do you always receive a monthly receipt or at least a letter to verify the payments you've made? Thanks
You could try making your payment by money gram. This way, you use the company name, routing number that THEY give you to make sure it gets to them, and usually the city and state that it is going to. Also, after the payment is made, it gives you an actual receipt number, that I'm sure can be tracked, if needed. Usually, if you pay this way, you will need to call the crditor back with that receipt number. Unfortunately, there is a small fee in sedning it. But....it is not as much as western union charges.
Hi Blondie, thanks for your reply. I did consider western union, but didn't think of money gram. A relative stated that he read it's not good to pay collectors through either of the above, but wasn't sure why. I'll have to do some reading. Also, do you know if bill collectors or debt purchasers, are legally NOT required to send receipts or at least a letter as proof of monthly payments received?
They aren't required to send you a balance letter or a statement of payments. You have to request all that information from them when you want to know, even if you send them a letter telling them you want it each month, you're not going to get it. Most CA's will accept WU but not usually MG, so check to see if they do. And there is no reason not to pay that way, it just costs you the extra $10-15.
Thanks collectman. What about updating credit reports? The same debt buyer explained they do not update credit reports until debt has been paid in full, at which time they will send me a final letter. This means the debt will continue to show under the name of the office who sold them the debt, but will state that it was sold.
