I have a friend who is seriously late on his Amex green account. It was just turned over to collections. I've read the advice to not pay the CA but to pay Amex directly instead. However, this CA is offering to knock off $300 in late charges and such if he pays them. Is he in any kind of position to negotiate for deletion? How should he move forward? RM
That's the worst possible deal: 1. He pays everything (less $300, probably offset by fees & interest anyway) 2. Amex's R9 rating remains. 3. CA notes "settled" - collection account remains, and just as bad. 4. Placed on Amex's black list forever for the unpaid portion of the balance. Saar
So do you think he should negotiate deletion with the CA and pay them? This contradicts the advice to pay Amex directly, yet if he pays Amex he won't be able to negotiate deletion.... or will he? RM
Which part of "don't communicate with the CA" didn't he understand? That's just the point. We had people here call Amex CB unit, and get their old Amex accounts removed from their reports once paid off. As for the CA, send them a validation letter. They obviously won't be able to validate a $0 debt. Saar
