Is recording conversation with CA as good as getting it in writing

[Anonymous]

Last year I was unexpectedly hospitalized for a week. I thought I had taken care of the (numerous) medical bills I received, but apparently the $75 doctors bill slipped through the cracks. I'm now in the process of purchasing a home and discovered that this account has been reported on my credit. What's worse, because I was treated by three seperate doctors and there is a seperate amount owed to each, the collection agency is reporting three seperate collection accounts for $25 each on my credit, even though they are all billed together as one $75 balance owed to the same physicians group and there's only one account number with the collection agency. These three collection accounts have dropped my previously excellent credit score 100 points and now could cost me my dream house. Obviously, I would never have risked ruining my credit over $75 had I realized I still owed money. I contacted the collection agency by phone and requested they do a pay for delete, and they said no. So 3 days ago (Friday) I faxed in a letter with the same request. Today (Monday) I received a phone call from an agent at the collection company, and he said they had recieved my fax and he could do the pay for delete....but he is not permited to put it in writing and I would just have to take his word and that "his integrity was not in question". I've done enough research to know to NEVER take their word and ALWAYS get it in writing. The problem is I'm on a time constraint to finance the new house and need these collections off my report immediately. I live in a state where it would be legal for me to record my phone conversation with the collection agent. So my question is....if I call back and record the agent agreeing to remove the collection accounts from my credit in exchange for payment, am I able to hold them them to that agreement the same as if they had put it in writing?

[Anonymous]

It would depend on your state laws whether you can record them without their knowledge.

Does each TL have a separte account number reported or just one?

[js0319]

This is the catch 22 with deletions and not getting them in writing - do you take their word for it? As far as recording the conversation, there is a reason why they have to tell you at the beginning of the phone conversations that the call may be recorded "for quality assurance" or whatever it is. Depending on your state and the state that the CA is calling from, it could be illegal if you covertly record the conversation. In most cases, it is best if you get their consent to record the conversation just as they require your consent.

[Anonymous]

If you know what state they are calling from you can look up their laws.  On interstate calls it is safer to err on the side of the stricter state law.

[electra]

Who is the CA?  Have you looked on here to see if anyone has had a successful PFD with them?  Seems like some CA's are unwilling to put it in writing but then do follow up.  I had one where they told me in writing they couldn't delete...that it was "illegal" and then called me later to say they were deleting.  (This was for something I'd already paid so GW deletion.)  Conversely, you could pose a question as to whether anyone has had experience with them.

Not sure about that legality of recording.  That would depend on the laws of your state and I would be cautious with that.

[Anonymous]

I live in GA. As long as one party involved in the conversation (myself) is aware that it's being recorded it's completely legal. I'm not required to obtain the collection agent's permission or notify them that the call is being recorded. I'm not concerned with the legality of recording the call; my bases are covered there, I'm just needing to know if they are obligated to hold up their end of our verbal agreement if I have proof (the recording) that they actually said it.

[Anonymous]

I should add that the CA is located in GA also, so the same laws apply to both of us. My last job involved taking recorded statements, so I'm very aware of what is and is not legal and am not concerned with that at all. Just needing to know if I can hold them to their word.

I did try looking up the CA to see if anyone else has dealt with them, but they appear to be a fairly new company (2 years) so I didn't find any posts/reviews on them. They also had only 2 complaints filed with the BBB.

[Anonymous]

The bill from the physicians group is all on one statement for the full amount but there is a seperate account number listed next to each doctor in the itemized section. The bill from the collection agency only has one account number and they are the ones reporting it on my credit.

[electra]

If you are trying to buy a house and time is of the essence then you don't have a lot of options outside of trusting the guy at this point so I would personally give it a try.  If they don't follow through I woud contact the BBB and file a complaint. You may be able to use the recording as proof...dunno.

[Anonymous]

I'm not an attorney and can't tell you one way or the other what will stand up in court.

Rebuilding your credit I can help you with.