Hi there:
I have been receiving phone calls from a TransWorld Systems the last couple of weeks. The messages they have been leaving say they are trying to collect a debt...provided a reference number...yada yada yada.
First of all, I have been unemployed since February of this year. Secondly, I was having difficulty with repaying my student loans (the only account - that I was aware of that was suffering from any delinquencies, etc.) Fortunately, I have all of that straightened out, and I am back on the saddle again.
TransWorld Systems has been continuing to call me since I received the paperwork from Citibank, so I "assumed" this was in regards to the Citibank situation or simply a SCAM! We receive SCAM phone calls ALL.OF.THE.TIME! It's nonstop, so if a number comes up as "unavailable" or "unknown caller", I do not answer the phone.
Well, got another message on my answering machine this evening, and decided to give them a call. I just assumed it was for the student loans, and that maybe they didn't receive the paperwork from Citibank or what-not. When I provided them the reference number, they mentioned it was for a 130-something dollar medical bill from my dentist. I was FLOORED when I heard that. Really shocked, honestly. This is obviously something I have overlooked. They said it's been since July of last year. I am being 100% honest when I say, I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS! If paperwork was mailed to me, I must've either canned it (I get JUNK MAIL all the time too) or something something along those lines.
The man was nice at first, but that changed ASAP, as soon as I told him how shocked I was, and that I can't do anything right now. I told him, "listen, I am unemployed, and I can't put that on my priority list right now. Please send me a statement, and I will try to make arrangements when I can." I know they hear this all of the time, but I wasn't about to give him ANYTHING over the phone. Then he puts his B*$#@& supervisor on the phone, and she pretty much gave me the same scoop. Since I wouldn't make payment over the phone, they are now considering this "refusal of payment" and sending it to collections or whatever. I told them this is NOT a refusal of payment, it's just that I can't do anything now, and WILL NOT give you anything over the phone. I asked for a statement for the balance-due so I could send them a check. They are refusing to do this...again. I am not familiar with Transworld Systems, so getting anything from them in the mail does not ring a bell at all. I feel like I am entitled to another statement, that way I will have the information I need to mail payment. She finally said, this is not going anywhere and HUNG THE PHONE UP ON ME!
I've never had to deal with anyone like this, but I absolutely REFUSE to pay anything over the phone.
So, with all of this being said, what are any other alternatives to resolving this? Can I go to my dentist, pay them, and ask if they can pull this debt from these jerks? Or, if I mail a check to this Transworld Systems for the total due, will they resolve it appropriately? What would I need to do to get confirmation that the debt has been resolved, etc.? They will not send me another statement, and I do NOT want to do business like this. I don't have the money, but they literally put words in my mouth tonight by saying I am refusing to pay this thing! I will be glad to, if I have a visual on what I am paying it for and confirmation that the money I send is going into the right hands.
PLEASE HELP ME ON WHAT I CAN DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED...safely!