Off topic: got a letter from a debt collector today.

$tinky · Feb 5, 2016

So I get a letter today that l came close to throwing away just because it looked like junk. I opened it and it was a bill for $1100. I called about it and it was a debt collector. They said the debt was from the phone company from 2014. I remembered instantly what had happened.

I moved in 2013 and had two land lines at my old house. One of them I had turned off with no issue. The other I continued to get a bill on. Each time I'd get the bill they would tell me one of two things. Either they were sorry it wasn't handled and it would be or there was an issue with the line and a particular supervisor would have to handle this. This went on for months. I don't feel like I owe the money but its not worth going on my credit report either. The phone company doesn't want to talk to me about it. I'm sure because they have been paid by the collection agency. With in two minutes of talking to the debt collecting people they offered to let me pay $700 and make it go away. That just screamed bullshit as soon as I heard it.

Anybody dealt with something like this? I've never been in this situation and I'd like to handle it the right way.

Stylez · Feb 5, 2016

I had same situation with cable company . I moved , services weren't cut off like requested until bill was outstanding. Collections bought my debt at a fraction . Bill was 780 , they offered me 400 . It was already on my credit score at this point and I needed it off for my mortgage to be approved. Called them up , I offered them 150 to settle and they agreed .

If you do decide to settle , get them to send you something in writing on agreed amount before paying.

HotRocks · Feb 5, 2016

Which debt collection company is it? Google them to see if its legit

Go online and pull your credit too, you can get first one free or something from certain ones

$tinky · Feb 5, 2016

Hot Rocks said:
Which debt collection company is it? Google them to see if its legit

Go online and pull your credit too, you can get first one free or something from certain ones

Its IC systems. Looks like they are legit.

JudgeWapner · Feb 5, 2016

They probably bought the debt for .50 on the dollar max. Therefore at $700, they still make money.

Hamilbet · Feb 5, 2016

Judge Wapner said:
They probably bought the debt for .50 on the dollar max. Therefore at $700, they still make money.

Correct. They probably bought it for less.

$tinky · Feb 5, 2016

So I get on the phone with phone company. They say over the phone to me that it was there mistake and they should cover it but since they've sent it to collection agency there is nothing they can do. GRRRRRRR. I'm about to fn lose it. It took my 90 minutes on the phone to get to the correct person and as we were talking the call drops. OMG I could have eaten nails.

MikeB · Feb 5, 2016

Tell them both that they have 1 week to get it straightened out (give them eachother a contact info), then tell them both that you are going to the Attorney Generals' office if it's not corrected. Obviously document every conversation. Exactly what was said and by who. I'd ask them how they spell thier name so that they know you are writing it down. That should get them to do something.

DrunkenHorseplayer · Feb 5, 2016

Call the phone company and have the same conversation, especially the part about them admitting it was their fault; record the whole thing. File complaints with both the state and federal attorneys general (mention in the complaints that you have a recording of the conversation if they want it) and fax a copy of those complaints to the phone company along with a demand that they take care of it. Don't give a penny to the collection agency; if they push it, challenge them to meet you in court.

$tinky · Feb 5, 2016

Good advice guys. thanks

bailey · Feb 6, 2016

My company uses IC Systems for collection problems.They are legit and in our case they get 33% of what they collect.

$tinky · Feb 6, 2016

Lets say I didn't have time or want to mess with this. What type attorney would I use for this?

Bourn · Feb 6, 2016

I would go a different route. I would have the phone company send you a letter saying the balance is paid in full. Make sure the letter has your account number on it so they can see it matches. Send a copy of that letter to equifax, experian, and transunion to have them remove it from your credit report. (If all 3 are reporting the collection). They will have to remove it. Don't even bother talking the IC anymore. You will get nowhere with them.

Bourn · Feb 6, 2016

You don't need an attorney. You can do everything on your own. They will just overcharge you and do shit you can do yourself. Send out a cease and desist letter to your phone company. Here's a template example.....

https://www.rocketlawyer.com/secure/interview/questions.aspx?document=52800008&id=1411#q1

MattyMatt · Feb 6, 2016

Bourn said:
I would go a different route. I would have the phone company send you a letter saying the balance is paid in full. Make sure the letter has your account number on it so they can see it matches. Send a copy of that letter to equifax, experian, and transunion to have them remove it from your credit report. (If all 3 are reporting the collection). They will have to remove it. Don't even bother talking the IC anymore. You will get nowhere with them.

Bourn said:
You don't need an attorney. You can do everything on your own. They will just overcharge you and do shit you can do yourself. Send out a cease and desist letter to your phone company. Here's a template example.....

https://www.rocketlawyer.com/secure/interview/questions.aspx?document=52800008&id=1411#q1

Bingo.

TheComputerGroup · Feb 6, 2016

DirecTV tried to screw my aunt the same way, she called to cancel after being with them for 11 years, she paid her final bill, then 1 year later at her new place, she's getting calls on her phone saying she owes over $1,700.......complete joke!

She had gotten comast at her new house, & DirecTV is trying to pull this scam.......no so der there's a huge lawsuit against them by a group of people since last March.

basesAREloaded · Feb 6, 2016

Initially, "a particular supervisor would have to handle this".

Easily contact the particular supervisor and request written confirmation out of the gate. Step 1. There is no step 2.

Loose ends 101.

Next time.

razorbackpicks · Feb 6, 2016

Collection agencies don't buy the debt, they are paid a commission on what they can collect. They are basically going to harass and threaten you To no end till you pay. Also part of their contract with the phone company is that once a debt is turned over to the collection company the company claiming there is a debt can no longer speak with you, all communications are forced to be had with collection company, for fear they may get cut out of a deal.

This is does not sound like an instance where you should give in, if nothing more than principal.

beefdiesel · Feb 6, 2016

razorbackpicks said:
Collection agencies don't buy the debt, they are paid a commission on what they can collect. They are basically going to harass and threaten you To no end till you pay. Also part of their contract with the phone company is that once a debt is turned over to the collection company the company claiming there is a debt can no longer speak with you, all communications are forced to be had with collection company, for fear they may get cut out of a deal.

This is does not sound like an instance where you should give in, if nothing more than principal.

bingo, my company uses a collection agency after we write off they get 25 percent of anything they collect. Good post sir