Debt collection agency?
My problem is I don't really trust this agency, who know what they'll do to my bank account if I pay them over the phone.
Any advice on what should I do?
Answer:
The collection agency is required to send you a bill (or some paperwork documenting the charges) if you request it. Next time they call, get the company's name, address, etc., send them a letter (for proof) requesting the bill. Verizon no longer owns the debt so it's not their problem anymore. You could also send a small percentage of the bill with your letter indicating a payment of "good faith" but stipluate to them that you will only pay the remaining amount when they provide the documentation you requested. Collection agencies are notorious for using bad practices to try and solicit money from people. They may report you to the credit bureaus but you can always contest that on your reports and more often than not if you contest it, they will take it off (from personal experience). Don't pay over the phone because you'll be without written documentation. Get everything and do everything in writing. That's how you'll get their address by telling them you will send them a check. They'll say anything to get you to pay. Don't pay attention to that verbage. Good luck.
go to Consoladebt.com
Threaten them with an attorney! It had worked for me in the past. They cannot do that to you. Good luck!
Contact Verizon and work an agreement out with them. Explain that you do not trust their debt collection agency (they will threaten you with anything just to get the money out of you; ignore 90% of it) and that you want to pay them directly. See what the procedure is for that. End of problem.
Actually, verizon will probably still take the money. I would call them and see if you cant pay it off that way. Those Credit agencies break the law all the time. It makes me sick
BP
Call Verizon and find out who the company is they sold your debt to then call the better business bureau to get some information on that company. Chances are that they will be pretty sleazy anyway since most debt collection agency's are, but if you keep careful detail of all you dealings with them you should come out okay.
Debt collection agencies have a-holes working for them. The only time I've ever gotten in a yelling match on the phone was with a collection agency (I was right--really). They will threaten and harrass you, but don't pay over the phone. Send a registered letter asking for a copy of the bill.
You have no choice, just pay by phone and get it over with, or they will keep calling, and calling, and calling, and calling...
"Can you hear me now?"
You set up a payment plan.They can't do that to you, although I have had them tell me to sell my furniture etc to pay my bill.
Do not pay them over the phone, if you pay them get a money order and send them the money that way.
I had a bill with MCI once, and I sent them a payment by check,
they somehow sent a letter to my bank and took the money out of my account, which caused all my checks to bounce, I was devastated, it took me three months to try and catch up just with all the bounced checks I had.
Don't let them threaten you, but also try and send them a few dollars.
They are required by law to send you a bill if you ask for it. Report the company to your State Attorney Generals Office. Even if the collection company is in another state they must comply with collection laws of your state and Federal law.
They continue to do this abusive crap cause people don't report them.
Check with your state lawsabout recording telephone conversations. Comply with he law and record them if you can. Radio Shack has low cost recorder and telephone mic to record them. I got that setup for a neighbor who's ex-husband kept calling and harassing her. She recorded him and he is now doing 5-7 yrs in the State Prison.
Write down date and times of calls and what they say if you can record them.
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