So I owed Pac Bell some money and went to pay it off. They told me the balance was $233 and referred me to a collection agency. I call them up and the girl tells me I owe $313. I ask why and she tells me that Pac Bell added $80 in late fees before they gave them the account and it's part of the balance owed. I say those aren't fees that Pac Bell added, but rather your company added and she again said they were Pac Bell's and could not be removed. Finally I talk to her supervisor and she tells me I have to pay the interest as part of the debt. I say, oh interest huh? I thought they were fees that Pac Bell added? She said no, that is our interest that we added. I said well the girl on the phone just lied to me and said they were fees. Then the supervisor said, well, we will just waive the interest for you and you can go ahead and pay this. Isn't it illegal to claim the interest is the orginal debtor's fees? This has happened to me before. It's such a scam because the supervisor acts like she couldn't believe the girl said that but in reality you know they are probably telling all their callers to do this. So what should I do?
Re: Re: Do I have any recourse on this? How can I get it in writing? They said the call was being monitered. Can that help?
INTEREST OR FEES IT DOESN'T MATTER...they probably paid $23.30 for the debt...SO WHAT-EVER YOU PAY THEM OVER THAT AMOUNT IS PURE PROFIT... What-ever you pay GET IT IN WRITING... Also make sure they agree to NEVER respond to any CRA about anything relating to this account and that they will never sell, trade, or barter any residual balance...and will never re-insert the account.
Re: Re: Do I have any recourse on this? Rule #1 Don't do/agree to anything until the CA has provided proper validation Rule #2 is ALWAYS GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING when dealing with a CA! Rule #3 is ALWAYS SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO A CA by Certified Mail/ RR I would send them a letter somewhere along these lines... Dear CA Thank you for the opportuinity to come to an agreement concerning XXXX account that was discussed with MR(S) XXX on the telephone on DATE / TIME. As MR(S) XXX agreed to, I will not be liable for any other fees/payments other than the $YYY owed to the OC. (I would also request that they remove any TL from your CR's or at the least note them as "paid as agreed") Please send me your signed letter stating these facts that we discussed on the telephone on DATE Sincerely yours, etc
As always send them validation, let them put into writing their claims, and if they can't provide an accounting of every penny, hold out until they decide to comply. Yes, they can charge interest *IF* it is legal in your state, or is allowed by your contract *AND* not prohibited by your state... Again, this is why you demand that they provide validation for the account, so you can find out what they can, and can not charge... And if they can't provide validation, they can't collect in any way, shape, or form...
Re: Re: Do I have any recourse on this? I would send them a letter somewhere along these lines... Dear CA Thank you for the opportuinity to come to an agreement concerning XXXX account that was discussed with MR(S) XXX on the telephone on DATE / TIME. As MR(S) XXX agreed to, I will not be liable for any other fees/payments other than the $YYY owed to the OC. (I would also request that they remove any TL from your CR's or at the least note them as "paid as agreed") Please send me your signed letter stating these facts that we discussed on the telephone on DATE Sincerely yours, etc pd1160 =================== Do not do this if they haven't properly validated. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """"```--~~~~~~~~~--```'""'''
Re: Re: Do I have any recourse on this? (I would also request that they at the least note them as "paid as agreed") pd11604 ============= There is no such thing as a paid as agreed collection. Also any showing of a CA on reports is a credit killer and a score tanker paid or not. THE END ** *** ** LB 59 """"```--~~~~~~~~~--```'""'''
