I know this sounds naive, but a CA rep called today about an Amex debt. Amex closed my Gold acct and then sent the debt to a CA recently. The CA called today for the first time. He said that looking over my acct and credit record, that I was not an important case. Or that I was not a real offender. He said that my credit record was A1 and that Amex was going to re-issue my card/acct immediately as soon as the debt was paid. He was very pleasant, etc, etc. But here is the deal. I do NOT have A1 credit, and I doubt Amex will ever open another acct for me. The Amex reps told me in June that it was a possibility in the future, but that they could not tell me yes or no. So it looks like I was deliberately told a few lies in order to get me to pay. I have every intention on paying, but I cant do it all at once. I may be naive, but is there any law or standard that requires these reps to tell the truth? I would think that Amex wouldnt use a shady CA. Am I wrong?
They will lie through their teeth. Are they legally allowed to? HELL NO. Next time you talk to him, tell him you are recording the call, and tell him you want the offer in writing. Better yet, tell him you are recording the call, and that all future contact with you be in writing by mail. If you could prove the conversation, you would have him on a FDCPA violation. You could use that for leverage dealing with them. Gib
Well.. what are your goals? Do you want to reestablish Amex in the future or do you never care if you have Amex? Right now, you may be on Amex's blacklist... it depends on how bad it is (unless you're still in the in-house collections and haven't yet been written off)... just how bad is it? how late? how much? 1. If you settle for anything other than full payment either with Amex or the CA (assuming it's at an outside agency)... you'll be blacklisted and never get off with Amex. 2. If you pay in full to Amex you'll be off the blacklist in 12 mos plus one billing cycle... although, if everything else is good... they can reissue one in that period with an override. If you pay in full, I'd just mail it to Amex directly. Sounds like they sent it to collections quickly... too bad. Anyway, again. It depends on what you do and what you want whether or not you get Amex again. As for the A1 credit...well.. you know what your credit is like... If you want to know what collectors can and can't do... read the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
Take advice from a CA? ROFL... Never take financial and legal advise from a CA! I've had CA's try the "Let me be your friend" routine on me. They always make me laugh. I always ask them why should I take financial advise from some looser who could could only find a job calling people for money? This usually ticks them off big time and their true a**hole nature comes out. What I love are the ones who call and want to go over my household budget. Are they kidding? I tell them I have a CPA who does that (not really), and to send me their qualifications and service rates for their professional advise.
Oh my gosh the same thing happened to my wife. We called to pay off the debt in full. They said if we paid then AMEX would reissue the card to us. After we paid it, AMEX said they would do no such thing and you had to reapply for the card which of course you would be turned down on. Which collection agency said this because I bet is was the one I used although I forget the name. Maybe I will look it up.
What is the name of the CA and the name of the guy who called you? I got a letter a month ago saying some collection agency I paid through(I think this is the one) was being sued and did I want in on it. I never responded because the settlement was only $9 a person up to 25 grand total for them.
Can They lie? Yes! Do They Lie? Yes! and most are really good at it. They tell "Bill Clinton" style lies. They are not allowed to lie about certain specified things(see FDCPA), but almost anything else is legal, as long as they can claim they "thought" it to be true. "Your credit is good".....It may be compared to the other people he is collecting from. "Amex will reissue if you pay" Which is not a lie if Marie is correct, which I believe she is. If he said immediatly he may be in violation, If he implied it he may not be. The best advice I've seen on this board is give them NO personal info, avoid talking to them, and tape your calls (If legal in both states), and contact them by by mail only. JohnM
