I JUST TOLD A CREDITOR TO TAKE ME TO COURT! I just called the settlement dept. of the OC I owe $988 for a cell phone (account now owned by CA, says OC). Here's the story, in brief -OC sends to CA after deciding what I was paying wasn't enough for them. -CA sends very vague letter about 80% settlement (making the total $1034, instead of $1394) and call to make arrangements; I offer to make payments every 2 weeks, they say great! -I pay $100 dollars every 2 weeks four times, then am going to pay off entirely in one lump sum (for "Paid in full" on CR, I know, I know) and they tell me balance is $1004!! I thought it should be $600! They explain that the settlement was a "one-time, one-lump offer only and collector claims "the individual i spoke to would have told me that" (it was HER!) She says she'll explain the situation to OC and try to get an offer. -OC declines offer for $750, counters $805 (!) I say "no way!" and haven't paid since. I send unsigned letter offering $200 to CA (they won't take it) -Called OC to confirm they did decline it, told them to TAKE ME TO COURT if they want anything from me. OC woman says they "do that every day". Was that a stupid thing to say? IMO, they've screwed themselves because I was willing to meet the terms of their offer and pay in full relatively fast. (1000 in 3 mos!) The majority of the charges are for the contract cancellation; actual revenue/usage from the phone is basically paid. Rather than evade them and wait for better settlements, I made regular payments in good faith and now feel I'm being penalized for it- people who wait out better settlements get better deals, people like me get screwed. So, now I'm thinking of faxing a letter to this extent to the OC - even though they claim the CA owns the acct, they still have to auth. settlement offers. What should I do??
Well, they may or may not take you to court. I'msure you can handle it, but ummmm. I wouldn't have suggested it to them. BTW this is the reason we tell you not to deal with them on the phone, get everything in writing.
I have told more then 1 CA to take me to court and the amounts of some of these accounts, I have with them are $8,000 $6,000 $2,300 but in the last 14mos I have not one do it. They can't believe it when I tell them that if I were them I would take a guy like me to court that they have given me more then one chance to take care of these's accounts and I haven't payed them yet so if I were them I've take me to court. If they called your home, You can say anything you want to them, it's your phone and you pay the bill. One thing I do is never call them, I always let them call me. If you call them they have the upper hand on you. It will be a cold day in hell if I'm going to let some 22yr Kid or a person that can't even speak english, Beat me up on my own Phone. The problem I'm now having is before I would get 5-8 calls a day now I can only get 1 every other day. You see, my sister committed suicide in 98 over Bill Collector's calling her and now my main purpose in life is to even the score. I have said everything a person could say to another person over the phone and in 14mos they have done nothing, I really wish they would do something. One thing I enjoy telling them is, I have the Full Amount of the debt but they must come over to my place to get it. They are the scum of the earth Living off the misfortunes of other people. You have nothing to worry about, Balance too small to make it worthwhile for them.
I am sorry to hear about your sister. Be careful though. They can get you for even a perceived threat over the phone. Just don't take their calls anymore. Get caller ID.
Even though they claim the CA owns the acct, they still have to auth. settlement offers. NateRobb ============== The OC can't authorize anything on an account they don't own.
LOL. I like your attitude. I've had plenty of success with the information I received here. But one thing I did different was: Not play the "Uninformed/Push-over" consumer role. I sent a nice but firm letter explaining what the problem was and how it wanted it to be resolved. If I was replied to with anything other than the specifics I outlined in my letters, I went at them full steam. By the third letter (which was usually a "I'm going next door to file suit against you after I send this letter...you have 7 days to respond"), I was ready. Three strikes and you're out. I didn't play games. I always meant it each time. That "uninformed" consumer act takes too long. My paper trail for the duration of my process is about 2-3 letters per company. How tthey responded determined right-off-the-bat how soon I would sue. You can always tell what cards the other side is holding by the 2nd letter they send to you after Validation. Letters 3 and on usually start added up in the "$1000/per" category. I had a CA call me about a debt that wasn't mine. I knew this by the OC they listed. Anyway, I told the lady that "I do not owe them money". "Go find the person who is and don't ever call me again". Well, they call the following week...big mistake. I went to the court house and filed suit in Small Claims Court. Listed my complaint as Harassment/Stalking. Needless to say, they begged me to drop suit. I agrred to, but only if I was rewarded "face-value" of the debt. The $85 bought me a new pair of cleats for the second-half of the season. My point is...If you know you can beat 'em, sue 'em. Don't be intimidated by them. If you know what to say, you can stay on the phone all-day with a CA. However, if you know the debt is yours, choose your words wisely. Make 'em count.
One of the first thing's you need to do is retrieve each recipt/check for EVERY payment you sent in. Next, they need to provide to you how EVERY penny was calculated to total the balance they say you owe. Them you need to retrieve statements on how EVERY penny was applied to that account. Don't buy them lunch anymore. Seems like most of your payments went to someone's stomach.
