Collection Account: Should I Pay OC or CA?

Anonymous · ‎09-17-2008

Good afternoon,

I have a collection account on my credit file for unpaid service charges to Cox Communications. I called Cox today to discuss an unrelated issue and they offered to take my payment over the phone for the unpaid account balance. I was told that I could also make the payment on the website since my online access is still available, even though the acct is closed. I asked the CSR how a direct payment to Cox vs. to the CA would be handled and she said that they would forward the payment to the collection agency. (??!!)

Questions:

Should I pay the OC, obtain a zero balance letter and use the letter to dispute the debt with the CA since it would be paid in full to the OC?

OR

Contact the CA and try to reach an agreement on deletion with full payment?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

llecs · ‎09-17-2008

brighterday wrote:
Good afternoon,

I have a collection account on my credit file for unpaid service charges to Cox Communications. I called Cox today to discuss an unrelated issue and they offered to take my payment over the phone for the unpaid account balance. I was told that I could also make the payment on the website since my online access is still available, even though the acct is closed. I asked the CSR how a direct payment to Cox vs. to the CA would be handled and she said that they would forward the payment to the collection agency. (??!!)

Questions:
Should I pay the OC, obtain a zero balance letter and use the letter to dispute the debt with the CA since it would be paid in full to the OC?
OR
Contact the CA and try to reach an agreement on deletion with full payment?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'd DV the CA and then offer a PFD to get them to remove it. If you pay Cox, then the CA will make a mention of "paid collection" and that won't help any. Never call a CA.

Anonymous · ‎09-17-2008

Thank you. I'll start the DV now.