Problem with Medical Collections......

[prolificjinx23]

I have 2 collections (of the last 3) that are medical bills that I have repeatedly disputed because I don't know who's they are but to be honest these days I could care less to know anything - I JUST WANT THEM OFF!!! LOL! I've contacted the collections company in hopes that we can strike a deal (since my hubby actually has his last 3 collections left on his CR's with them too). The rep I spoke to agreed to PFD BUT she says the only way she'll agree to PFD is if I pay both accounts off in full at once. If I pay one at a time she won't agree to PFD. She's holding my PFD for ransom?? LOL!!!

I understand that the ball is in her court now BUT is there anything I can do to make it so it's in mine? Even though the acct balances are $285 + $303 = $588, I honestly can only afford to pay one at a time. She really doesn't care. 

BTW.... Did I mention that her company performed a hard pull on my CR's.... So I'm sure she knows those 2 collections are the last of 3.

[Booner72]

Huh, this one's tricky.  It's worth it to get them gone!  I would stop talking to her on the phone first of all.  She could be lying anyway.  Get it in writing.  Also I read here that collection agencies are easier to deal w/ at the end of the month as they have to make their quotas - maybe you can use that to your advantage somehow.

[prolificjinx23]

Thanks a million for your advice!

[lpayton]

I would call and refuse to speak with anyone other than a decision maker.  Ask for them to be reasonable, and tell them what you are able to do, and willing to do and make it mutually beneficial.  Like I said though, begin with a supervisor or decision maker only.  After they are able to establish verbally what their willingness is, I would ask for it in writing...everyone says "get it in writing" and I agree, but realistically, a lot of them refuse to promise anything in writing. 

If they won't put it in writing, when you dispute electronically with the bureaus, put in the comments section, PAID IN FULL, PER AGREEMENT WITH (name of supervisor) THIS ACCOUNT IS TO BE DELETED.  When you send them payment, pay with a check, send it certified, and in the memo line of the check write "Cashing of this check clears all outstanding debts to your organization" and keep a copy of the check.

This is the advice I got from my mortgage broker.

[Booner72]

I don't believe that checks are contracts, so that wouldn't work.  Plus you wouldn't want disputes AT ALL or your mortgage would be DENIED, PERIOD. 

[Booner72]

PS:  Mortgage brokers, from my personal experience, and from what i've read here (and boy, have I read here) know very little about FICO scoring.

[Anonymous]

Also, refrain from calling.  Actually, DO NOT CALL  It opens up a whole other can of worms in different ways.  They promise to high heaven verbally but not in writing and it is easy to get caught up with someone's "good word".  Also, many CA's have software that capture phone numbers that identifies with particular accounts.  They know who they are talking to in most cases just by their phone ringing (I found this one out a few weeks ago personally).  And if they are calling from an unrecognizable phone number, you can bet they will use the new number to harass you with in future attempts to contact you.  More can be accomplished by acting professionally in a written letter than losing your cool in a spitting match while being berrated by a sleezy CSR.

[lpayton]

Checks are legal instruments, and under the law are most certainly considered "binding". 

[Booner72]

Not in a case like this it isn't.

[llecs]

YMMV based on state law. Restrictive endorsements are not allowed in every state and yet in others, are not enforceable.