On Monday I called First Select, which is attempting to collect my debt for my Providian card. I was told that if I were able to bring my account current, they would remove 3 late fees and 3 over-limit fees from my account (total: $174 in fees). Today I called back (this amount is not due until the 11th of April) and was told that this offer was no longer good because I did not agree to the arrangement on the phone. Further, I was advised, the arrangement which First Select offered would vary depending upon whichever representative I happened to be speaking with. The "arrangement" I was offered today was only half of what was offered on Monday. They also are insisting that I do a "check by phone"....however, I have been able to gather 60% of the due amount and it is in the mail to them already (they don't know this). Any advice on how to deal with this? My thoughts initially are to send them a letter, advising them that I agree to the original terms, and that they should call or write back if this arrangement is agreeable to them. I'd also like to throw in "no negative reporting on my credit report"...they're not the only ones who can change the rules at will
You have no negotiating power at this point. If you had done this prior to ssending payment, they may have gone for it. But now that you have sent payment, they won't agree to do anything you want.
The money sent was actually a balance transfer check sent from another credit card. Do I have the power to stop payment on this, or to contest the charge on the credit card?
Here's a letter I came up with to send to them: This is a followup to my telephone call of March 25, 2002, regarding my Providian account (acct number). I spoke with (rep) regarding payment arrangements for the account. (rep) outlined a plan with which I could bring the account current, by paying $446 by April 11, 2002. She also told me that there were a number of late fees and over-limit fees (three of each) which could be waived if the $446 was paid by April 11th, and if the account remained current thereafter. These are significant charges, totaling $174. Upon telephoning First Select Corporation again on March 28, 2002 and speaking with (different rep), I was told that this offer was no longer good, and that payment arrangements differ depending on which representative I am speaking to. This is ludicrous. These agents are direct representatives of First Select Corporation, and if one agent makes a particular statement, that person is speaking on behalf of First Select Corporation. It is also unreasonable to expect me to commit to a "check by phone" without first allowing me the opportunity to check financial resources, to ensure that the money is indeed available. Further, the amount of $446 is not due until April 11th, and none of the circumstances surrounding the account have changed between March 25th and today. In fact, the owed amount is now less due to a $15 payment made this week. As far as I am concerned, First Select Corporation committed to removing these fees from the account, if I paid the $446 and if I kept current thereafter. I agree to pay the remaining $431 due by April 11th, and to pay the monthly amount thereafter (approximately $161 per month) under the following conditions: 1. Three late payment fees and three over-limit fees, totaling $174, be removed from the account upon payment of the $431, as promised by First Select Corporation on March 25, 2002. 2. Any negative reporting of this account shall be removed from any consumer credit report, and no negative reporting shall be made if the account remains current. The arrangement offered by First Select Corporation on March 25, 2002 is the only one which I will accept. Please contact me at (phone) or by US Mail if these terms are agreeable.
