Hello, I'm new to this forum. The problem I have with this agency has to do with Citibank Visa. Now, I do owe the debt. I have been paying them 100.00 a month since Jan '01. At first I gave them 6 check #s over the phone (yes, I know better now). They made a mistake in the system and asked for 6 more #s. Everything was fine unit they took out the 5th and 6th payments on checks #1 and #2! As a result I stopped payment on any electronic checks from them and sent paper checks only. I also faxed, mailed, and certified mail them a letter stating that all communication had to be in written form (no phone calls), due to the fact they started using phony checks. I have not received a statement for December and I have faxed them about that. They have also called me at work 5 times since I told them not to. I work as a CSR and it is heavy phone work; I can't be stuck on the phone with them!! This last time I tslked to them to tell them I need a statement. "Angelina" put her supervisor on the phone and "Ms. Cooper" stated that monthly payment arragements (such as I had) aren't allowed unless they are given check by phone (which even if I wanted to, I can't b/c I told the bank to stop payment.) Secondly she said the entire remainig balance is due NOW and they don't have to send me a statement. I want to pay my debt, but they screwed me once verbally, and I don't want it to happen again. 1. Is it my right to ask for everything in writing, especially a statement showing what my balance is? 2. Do they really have grounds to demand the whole thing now if I've been paying them every month? HELP!! thanks, Trina
It is illegal for a collection agency to ask for post dated checks, unless they notify you prior to depositing each and every one. That is a violation of the FDCPA. If they didn't, I would send them another letter advising them of such. Then reitterate that you will not talk to them by phone every thing must be done via mail. At this point, when you send them the letter advising them of their violations, I would also send a validation letter. Make them prove to you that it is your acct. even tho you know it is. Screw 'em. I have played with gulf states 3 times now, and every time they deleted the accts from my reports, and 1 acct. they ate.
They did send notices about the postdated checks, but they changed the numbers to #1 and #2 midway...I didn't give them a chance for a check number 3! For one *nobody* is issued checks that start at one, and for another I feel that was violation of a verbal agreement regarding method of payment. I will ask for validation (I saw the model forms), but can I request the original credit agreement that shows they had a right to tack on interest. I started writing "for principal only" on my checks because I noticed on about $15 of my $100 dollars was going toward the principal! the debt started out ~1714.00 and after 1000.00 of payments "Ms. Cooper" claims the balance due is now 1089.00. I don't feel it's fair. Thanks for your help! Trina
bump And unless you signed something with Gulf State, you do not have any agreement with them that allows them to charge that kind of interest. You might want to consider going to your bank and getting your checking account transferred to a new account number. Once a company like this has your account number they can pull money from, they will abuse it if you let them.
