I have a small medical collections Im trying to settle for deletion. They tell me on the phone they will delete, but they claim they cannot send me any paperwork whatsoever that claims they will actually delete because it is against their policy. How can I get some sort of proof that they've offered to delete for payment if they wont put it in writing? they said that they 'promise' they will delete it within 30 days..ya right. Im in texas and the account is under $200.
That seems kind of fishy that they won't put it in writing. I would let them know that the ONLY way you are going to pay it is for them to put it in writing.
I am also paying on a collection item that I want deleted. Anyone have a sample letter on negotiating payment for deletion? I only owe $100 and I want this off fast.
i told them the only way i'd pay it was if they put it in writing that it would be deleted and they said no. it is an old account, 4+ years. they were actually fairly civil otherwise. anyone else have any ideas?
WHo did you speak to? I would DEMAND a letter from them. Speak to a manager or something there is no reason for them not to give you a letter. one tip that I found if you write a STRONG letter demanding a letter/paperwork for deletion they will often comply. Be sure to fax/Email and send CRRR I had a medical collection and the billing manager gave me her word they they will delete. I paid and 90 days later no DELETION... just an updated status to PAID.. I FIRED so many faxes, emails and postal mails against them and filed with the BBB and I finally received the deletion.. I am talking almost 5 months after I paid... NEVER EVER take their workd for it... Keep demanding.. talk to other folks if you have to.. good luck
I also got a verbal promise from a CA. Like everyone says, a verbal promise is not worth the paper it is written on. In my case, nothing had shown up on my credit reports when contacted by the CA (NCO). They promised that it would never be reported if I paid that day, which I did. Two weeks later, they reported it as an unpaid collection. It took maybe five months to get them to keep their promise, and only after I contacted the OC. If you want to chance it, tape the conversation (if legal in your state). If they do not delete, tell them you will send the tape to the CRA's. I believe that deleting for payment violates the agreement between the CA and the CRA's. It could get them in trouble.
Imlost... did you go through the validation process with the CA? if so what happened? If they will not give you a letter the describes an intent to delete I would instead of sending payment send in a validation letter... do you know the SOL in your state as well?? I wonder if you can use that for your cause...
the person I spoke to seems to be the only one who answers the phone :/ I'd record them (we are both in texas), but I don't know how much weight that would have. It is kind of hard to send a tape to a CRA to listen to I'd bet. damn this annoying, its the only open collection remaining on my EX report. I did not validate btw, it is such a small amount and I thought I could just pay for deletion on it
have you sent the validation request? if not... do so now cert rr You're lucky you're in Texas. You guys have some strict state laws. One... I believe.. is that a CA MUST respond to a validation request in 30 days or the debt becomes noncollectable... so do the validation letter. See what they do. If they won't put anything in writing don't pay. You don't know what will happen but what it will do if you pay them (esp if it's by personal check) is prove 1. the debt is yours 2. it's now paid in full 3. and the DLA often times becomes the date paid in full (illegal reaging.. but you still have to deal with it) anyway... do the validation. if you send a validation request and they don't send you anything but they either try to collect or rereport the account (including verifying a dispute with the bureaus).. then you've got them if they have no proof (50% of the time) then they may back off completely (and if they do... get that in writing) if you can... by the way.. think about the situation from the CA employee perspective. They get commission on money brought in... they'll say anything... and they're the ones with absolutely no power. do NOT call them anymore. it can only hurt you.
HOLY SMOKES>..... VALIDATE!!!!! who cares what the amount is... knowing the account is yours is one thing but if you make them validate this will level the playing field for you. If they don't validate properly you could simply tell them to take that debt and shove it.... Or you can once again offer to settle the debt (that they will probably not be able to fully validate) for FULL FRIGGIN DELETION!!!! Or if you feel sinister you could just say hey YOUR LOST... you could of received payment for the debt but know they must completely delete and lose out on an opportunity to collect... GOSH I wish I had this problem now,... I am itching to start something with a CA... hahaha anyhow... Here is the deal... A paid collection hurts you just as bad as an unpaid collection... so wether you pay fully, partially or not at all your goal is to have this REMOVED.... SEND A VALIDATION LETTER!!!!!
hahah Nice one Marie.... OH yeah listen to her as well.. and let me stress her point ... DO NOT CALL THEM ANYMORE!!!!! also if they call you just kindly tell them that you want all communication in writing only and hang up..
I decided to call them because all of my settlement offers have been ignored. I've sent them via fax and CRRR mail. actually that is happening alot. I've sent out settlement offers to 4 different places. In each one I've offered the FULL AMOUNT + deletion. Each time I get 0 response. This is disheartening.
Imlost, I can see you are a good person... offering to pay and all... but its time to be aggresive (gosh I want to see a BRAWL..) Its time to draw blood... You need to have the eye of the tiger... since so many CAs have ignored you request to settle.. Allow them to ingore your lawful right to request validation instead because you will have plently of recourse if they do that..
haha, ok I will see what I can do validation-wise. alot of those 4 settlements I've sent out are not real old though. SOL on debts here is like 4 years, some are not 4 years old. I fear sending validation for them.
Sending validation letters are completely lawful... although I understand your fear for not wanting to send them... If the debt is too high and you know its yours it could be a bit scary sending it because it could just awake the sleeping dog... although I guess its known the some CAs lash out on some people after they validate with a lawsuit... I dunno... in my situation most of the debt was really old (4-6 years) and small amounts.. $45-2000 but if you have fresh ones I could see why you would want to be cautious....but if you feel that you are prepared for the worst case senerio.. I would go for it.. hopefully others could give better advice about that
I have a lot of luck with Medicals. Here's what I'd do. Make up an agreement with the OC that states that they will, immediately: 1) Regard the account as paid in full/as agreed 2) Remove all accounts from all CA's via "reported in error". 3) Regard the matter as permanently closed. Take that agreement directly to the OC with a money order for the full amount. Don't fill out the "pay to" yet in case you need to cash it back in. In other words if they reject you don't pay them. I've actually had one stop me on my way out the door after they turned me down cause I said; "well ok then, we'll do it the hard way". Tell them what you've been going through with the "collectors" they hire and that apparently they're not very interested in collecting money for you. Tell them you know it's not their fault but, blah, blah, blah,. Let them know you've tried very hard to resolve your debt (because you're trying to do the right thing) and the CA will NOT co-operate. Offer to exchange the money order for a signature on your "receipt". When you show up in person and flash $200 in their face, it provides sufficient pressure to just sign off on the agreement. Unlike debt collectors, medical providers usually DO, do what they say they will. Much more professional (in most cases). End of story. BTW - This all happens very quickly. All you want for the pmt. is your receipt signed, what could be unreasonable about that? Also - Don't call them ahead of time. the element of surprise is important.
I am going through the same darn thing right now with Reliable Adjustment Bureau. I was approved for a mortgage last month with the agreement that an old account with Reliable would be paid off. I came to a settlement amount with Reliable that would constitute payment in full. When I spoke to the foot at Reliable she said we do not send out anything in writing until the payment is received. Well they cashed my check, refuse to answer my phone calls, faxes or emails. Any suggestions on what to do next?
