this bill is confusing me

[Anonymous]

I recently got a statement from a lawyer saying that he would take action on me.  They say the debt is a little over 9k.  The original bill was for a little over 5 k. I have been making payments to them and then they sold it to another firm  (lawyers)  I am going to dispute it and ask for a detail bill.  It was for underinsurance for  a car.  I hit them but did not have enough insurance to cover it, so know they want to be paid.  I understand that but  the damage was minimal it was for Nissan Quest  last year.  I Have made a little of 500 dollars in payments that go out every month promptly.  What should I do  besides a DV letter  ???

[Anonymous]

the first thing to do is check with your state as to account being sold while you are making payments & how can new buyer sue you.

Some states have laws to protect you from that. I would not dispute or send DV  until you know laws.

Start with the AGs office and ask who you can talk to.  Make sure that they know that this is not just a repayment to a loan.

Who did you make payment arrangments with...did you sign anything?

[Anonymous]

You said that you had been making payments to "them". Is this the courts,  person you had the accident with, ?  Were you ordered to make a certain payment amount each week or month?

[Anonymous]

no I did not sign anything  I just started sending payments in because it was all that I could afford,  I know I owe the debt but they are saying I owe more than 5k

[Anonymous]

it is to Allstate insurance company or their CAgency  they have not reported it to the Credit bureaus

[Anonymous]

I can't say this is what WILL happen, but share the experience of a friend. She was making payments to a CA on a hospital bill that was around $5k. She had worked out payment plan of $100/month. About 8 months after she was making steady on time payments, the CA sold the debt. The new CA wanted her to PIF or split remaining balance in half and make 2 lump sum payments. She couldn't do it and continued to mail her monthly payment. The new CA took her to court. She took all of her receipts and letters. Judge told CA, that she had cooperated and had full filled her agreement by making her payments and no judgement would be entered. She was required to continue making the payments as scheduled. The CA just sold the debt and each time one sent her letters "saying they may have to sue" she'd copy the court documents and they'd sell it to another.

Message Edited by ProudMom on 09-14-2007 06:14 PM

[Anonymous]

this is not being reported so you can not send regular DV.  I would first check the law.......Then send a letter CMRRR  DV but leave out all the statues and wording about FTC.

Did this come CMRRR???   If reg mail I would sit back & wait...keep sending payments where you have been......IF they call just say I never talk to people on the phone about personal stuff (bills are personal,at least to me) Tell them not to call again, If they want  to reach you DO SO BY MAIL. HANG UP!

after all mail gets lost everyday!

Before you make up your mind how to handle it....find out if the law is in your favor....It could take some real digging.

[Anonymous]

it came regular mail,  I am thinking that I will dispute it and send a copy of the original bill and see what happens then.  I do not have problem paying the bill in November when I get my bonus.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure what law I would be looking for, except lawyers are greedy nasty sob's and I dislike them a lot.  Should I contact the AG and see what they say?   I have a record of the bill on bill pay for my bank to show I am making payments.  I can get a copy from the bank to say they are cashing them as I have not had one retruned to me

[Anonymous]

you need to know the law about accidents  first.....then  Collaction Agencies

Some states the CA must be licensed  some do not

I am in Connecticut....a CA must be licensed & can never file suit.....even if licensed by state they can not sue they MUST hire an attorney to do it.  If the amount that is owed is low  they can't afford to pay an attorney. 

The AGs office is the first place I would call....they know about accidents & how they are usually handled.  They should also be able to give you a phone # to call about collection agency.....it could be under state banking, consumer protection. Every state has it's own name & what dept. it falls under.

Message Edited by HappyDays on 09-14-2007 08:06 PM