can they demand payment in full w/o

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2003
can they demand payment in full w/o
3
Fri, 06-17-2005 - 9:50am

Ok ladies - I have another debt collector question. I have a utility bill that has been sent to a collection agency (its for $764.00) - from about a year ago when I moved into a different apartment (many things had happened that I couldn't pay the balance on this bill) Anway, I heard from the collection agency that's handling this and they said that when this debt was sent to them, it was for payment in full. I couldn't make payment arrangements. If I can't make payment in full - they will forward the debt for legal review. Why don't they accept payments? At least they will be getting some of the money. I don't understand. (BTW: this debt is in my ex's name - however; it was my responsibility to pay the bill - so this makes it a little more touchy). Help! I don't know what to do!

Thanks~
~aly

edited to say: I can still access the account on the webstite and am able to make a payment. Should I go ahead and make payments from there and not pay to the collection agency (NCO Financial)




Edited 6/17/2005 11:48 am ET ET by dsn187
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Fri, 06-17-2005 - 9:48pm

Hello Sweetie. I've been thru this a time or two in my journey on this planet. First and farmost, please document EVERYTHING between you and your creditor and the Collection Agency. If you send ANYTHING to the collection, they will take it-bottom line. You see dear, I'm not an expert on this kind of stuff, but I now know the value of money in this world. To keep this short, the collection people don't want to go that route, cuz it would cost them more in legal fees than what you owe. So if I were in your shoes, I would make an attempt to pay what I could and if the terms are still not acceptable to them, oh well - take me to court.

P.S. - It took me a while to find out how this world runs and I've been here 48 yrs. I'm sure that the other posters will guide you as they have me. So far as the legal aspects of the collection agency - they have their gimmicks too! Take care and keep the faith.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2004
Sat, 06-18-2005 - 8:59am
This is a very small debt. They would lose money trying to take you to court for it, and I would just send them a payment along with a letter of how much you will pay per month. Keep a copy of that. I doubt you'll hear any complaints.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2003
Mon, 06-20-2005 - 9:14am

Thanks for the advice ladies. I figured that would be the case. I don't owe that much, so I was thinking If I tightened the purse strings the next 2-3 months - I could have this paid off. (just not in the 30 days they asked). I just hate stressing about this stuff!

Thanks again for the help! It's very much appreciated!
Aly