I did some searching and I thought this exact situation might not have been dealt with in other threads. I recently cancelled an account I had with MCI and worked out a payment plan with them to pay the balance I owed. (The original balance was about $205, and to date I have paid 2 installments totaling approximately $100, thus a remaining balance of $105). The 2nd payment was a day late, but they accepted it, and I assumed the installment plan was still in effect. Yesterday I called MCI to pay the 3rd installment, and they told me the balance ($105) had already been turned over to a collection agency (Solomon & Solomon) because of that late payment. They told me there is nothing I can do to resolve the balance except talk to the collection agency. I haven't heard anything from the collection agency yet, but I'm sure I'll be getting letters and phone calls soon. I have the money and I want to pay it. My only concern right now is that I do not want a collection to appear on my credit report. --Is there anything I can do at this point to avoid a collection from appearing on my credit? --Should I negotiate with the collection agency and get it in writing that they agree to remove any negatives on my credit in return for payment? --Or should I send the collection agency a cease and desist letter and see if the account goes back to MCI and try to deal with them ? (One lady at MCI told me, when I asked her, that the outside agency actually purchased the debt and is not just a collector for MCI, but I don't know if I believe her). Thank you for this forum and thank you all very much in advance!
When you get the letter from them try and arrange a payment for delete. If MCI is till on your credit report it might stay there for a while though. Someone here can give you a more detail info.
Thanks. So you're saying that I can possibly get the collection agency to not place a derogatory, but MCI may place one and there's nothing I can do about that? Also, I forgot to add in my opening post that I never gave MCI my SS# or my legal name when I opened my account. Would that have any bearing on whether or not MCI (or the collection agency) can place derogatories on my credit?
