I just got off the phone with a CA about a 1 1/2 year old account. The account is valid - it was a medical bill incurred just after my child was born. I had simply forgotten about the bill and never received another from the OC. When I got the first notice from the CA last month, I paid it immediately - same day I got it and online if I recall correctly. The only notice I got was for $45, the original amount.
Now, they are telling me that I owe an additional $15 in collection fees. I argued with her and said that if they were including fees on the account then it should have been in the notice that I received. She said that they obtained the account in 03/07 and immediately sent a notice (funny thing that I never received it). She said that they sent another one early April (the one I actually got and paid). She said the OC tacked on the $15 fee since it wasn't paid within 30 days. I argued that if they were including the $15 on the account that they should have indicated it in the letter. She further went onto state that if I didn't pay the $15, then they would immediately place it on my CR's.
I am livid! Can they do this? I have only received the one letter and thought everything was cleared up. I have not received another letter indicating this additional fee. What can I do? Sure, I can pay it but I sure don't want to because I don't feel I owe it! On the other hand, I can't let it screw up my CR's now that I'm preparing to buy a house in the next few months. Any suggestions? Anyone?
The AG is right, what they are doing is illegal. Keep us updated.