HELP!!! Attorney trying to collect money.

[The J]

Pay it quickly?

[rumples]

Jan 10, 2011 19:22:37 GMT -5 The J said:

Pay it quickly?

Today would be good.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2011 19:22:37 GMT -5 The J said:

Pay it quickly?

This!
Sendin a check and the account should appear as closed on your credit report, if it ever went to your credit to begin with.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2011 20:46:21 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

Btw, I'm freaking out about this being on his credit report because we were thinking about moving this year so we might be applying for a mortgage soon.

First : pay the amount
Two: 1 collection on your credit will not stop you from getting a mortgage
Three: Showing that the account is closed and amount paid, help with your credit report and standing per mortgage company. So more reason to just pay it.

Fourth: They might have not reported it to credit agencies yet since they contacted him so fast... so again Pay it!

[The J]

You can dispute. It'll sit on the credit report as long as you're disputing it.

[The J]

I don't believe so. But which is more important to you right now? Disputing the $60, or keeping the credit report clean?

[The J]

Call up the attorney's office and get it in writing that they won't report it to the credit bureaus if you pay within 14 days.

[Angel!]

100 point hit for $14 doesn't make a lot of sense, there were probably other factors involved. I have $25 in collections on my report & my score never dropped much at all. It is 4 years old now & my score in ~750.

I like the letter, but I would also include another stating what you went through to cancel the account. Dates you emailed them the request to cancel, the date that the phone line was shut off, dates that you called - who you spoke to & what was said. You need to tell them why you don't think you owe the money & find out why they think you do. Maybe they have the shutoff day wrong in the computer or maybe you still owe some for the time the phone line was in service or maybe you owe a cancellation fee. You could call & discuss this with them as well to get it taken care of sooner (you can probably pay the bill over the phone with them as well if you choose).

Or just pay the bill like J said. I probably would refuse to pay out of principal (assuming that they don't provide a good reason that you owe the money). Like I said I have $25 that have been on my credit report & in collections for 4 years now & in that time I bought a car & bought a house & no one ever said a thing about it.

[michelyn8]

Everyone has made some good suggestions. You can also send what is called a Pay for Delete letter which asks them to remove the item from your credit reports in return for payment in full. They don't have to agree to it, but might. I've also found that some agencies will remove an item once its paid.

The first thing I would do is pull your credit records and see if the collection has been reported if you're that concerned. Often a CA will not report a collection until they've made an attempt to contact you. Then there are those that will report it as soon they get the "case" and never attempt contact.


Here is one example of a pay for delete letter if you choose to go that route.

Dear Sir/ or Madam,
Re: Account Number


This letter is in response to your call/letter/credit report entry on for the account referenced above. I would like to pay off or settle this debt in full and save both of our time and efforts.



I'd like to clarify that I am not acknowledging or accepting that I owe this debt. I respectfully request that you properly verify your right to collect on this debt, in addition to providing me with an accounting of the amount I owe. I am aware that your company can report the debt to the credit bureaus as necessary and that you have the ability to change the account status since you are the information provider.



I hope you'll also agree to not discuss this offer with any third party (except the original creditor). If you find my offer acceptable, please send me a letter agreeing to these terms, signed by your authorized representative, and subject to the laws of my state.



Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I have the right to dispute this alleged debt. If I do not receive your postmarked response within the next 15 business days, I shall withdraw my offer.



Please forward your agreement to my address listed above.



Sincerely,

Your Signature
Your Name

[michelyn8]

BTW - if you send any letters, be sure to send them certifed mail, return receipt so you have proof of when you mailed them and when the CA received them.