How to Deal with a bad Collection agency?

[wonkalow]

Im 23 now. When I was 18 or so, I had a medical bill that I couldn't pay. I was attempting to make payments and pay it off over time. However the Credit agency that was dealing with it, started calling twice a day, every day, literally, no exaggeration, Screaming at me, and saying everything short of cussing me out.

 

I eventually told them off, hung up and changed my number and refused to pay. Here I am a few years later and working on my credit and now I need to deal with it.

 

I called them this afternoon, trying to get information on making payments, and how long it takes for the bill to be removed from my credit report.

 

As soon as I was on the phone, without even giving my name it all started again.

 

I started out very nice, and stated Id just like two questions answered. I wasnt ready to give my account information until those questions were answered. If she answered my questions I would pay most likely in full. She very rudely just kept saying, even interrupting me "I need your account information" and "I'm not saying anything until you tell me who you are", over and over, she wouldnt say anything else. I eventually said "Look, you either answer the questions or I don't pay" and she says "then I cant help you" and hangs up on me.

 

So now I'm back to not wanting to pay them. The bill is only like $250, I have no problems paying it but the way they act I dont want to deal with them, and frankly if theres a way to make this hard for them, or better, make it so they make no money off of it then I'm all for it.

 

The company is Gold Key Credit. Ive read nothing but bad stuff about them online. Is it worth the time/effort to even try contacting a lawyer of some sort to deal with them for me?

 

Im really worried that if I pay the bill in full, they will try to say they never received any payment (I see a few people saying they do this often, when searching google), or if I make payments that they will just charge me in full and say too bad. Or worse, take months on end to clear my credit report.

 

Any advice Id really appreciate. I know nothing about credit or any of this sort of thing.

[radi8]

Moving to credit forum.

 

If you are inclined to pay it,attempt to pay the medical provider directly. Skip the CA. In fact, see if the medical provider will recall the account from collections as part of your payment arrangement, or at least order them to remove their tradeline upon payment. Not update to "paid", remove it entirely.

 

The only thing you should send the CA is a DV (Debt Validation) letter, including a limited C&D, ordering them to contact you by mail only.

Stay off the phone with the CA's, nothing good comes of that, just more headaches.

[wonkalow]

Thank you very much. I was under the impression that once the hospital sold the bill to the CA, that it no longer had anything to do with them. I will definitely try that, as I really don't want to deal with Gold Key any further.

[wonkalow]

If I understand correctly, You're saying that when I contact the hospital directly, I should request that they remove the incident from my credit report entirely? Rather than marking it as paid?

[beli]

If I understand correctly, You're saying that when I contact the hospital directly, I should request that they remove the incident from my credit report entirely? Rather than marking it as paid?

 

You can call and make arrangements but request that a letter be sent out to your home, before payment is made.

[wonkalow]

I will do that. Thank you all for the help. I'm going to call the Hospital first thing in the morning and see what kind of luck I have.

 

I have one more question, which I should have asked in the first place I guess.

 

Im working on building my credit, as I really want a new car. I have a Secured Credit card currently, and my report shows 4 months of good payments and my scores are 702/693/578. The third is low because of this bill I guess.

 

If the hospital says they can do anything but change it on my report to "paid", should I pursue other avenues to get this removed from my report completely? if that's even possible?.

 

I was really hoping to apply for financing by the end of year. I really don't know much about credit, so I have no idea honestly how long it would take to get that third score back up with just my one Secured CC. I was told also, that if I get a 2nd CC (Like to help raise that score), that when I try to get financed it will look like I have too much credit, and that will get me denied just as quick as the bad score. Is that true?

 

Thanks again for any help.

[gdtobefree]

WHO is reporting the debt?

 

If it is the CA then the hospital WILL NOT be able to delete it from your report as they did not put it there.

 

What is your SOL in your state?

 

STAY OFF THE PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

PAPER TRAIL PAPER TRAIL PAPER TRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get it in writting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beli]

WHO is reporting the debt?

 

If it is the CA then the hospital WILL NOT be able to delete it from your report as they did not put it there. the OC can and often times, and will recall the debt from the Ca, and demand that they delete the entry. I've had this done several times now. I paid the OC, in return for them to recall it from collections, and have them delete it off my reports. Just because the Ca put it on there, doesn't mean the OC can't communicate with the Ca to delete it.

 

What is your SOL in your state?

 

STAY OFF THE PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

PAPER TRAIL PAPER TRAIL PAPER TRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get it in writting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited October 19, 2009 by beli

[nekom]

A LOT of medical collections don't own the debt. That is, they are working on behalf of the hospital on contingency, not acting as junk debt buyers. It's important to find out who owns the alleged debt.

[wonkalow]

I will try to call the hospital tomorrow to see if I can pay them directly.

 

Unfortunately I may have to call them back and try to update the information, as they address they have is wrong, and I need them to send me a bill, so I can pay it properly.

 

However I don't want to call them seeing as so far if I say anything other than "here's my credit card" they hang up on me.

 

Also, I found the original bill. It seems Gold Key is charging me double what the original bill was. Its past the 30 days the letter says I have to deny the charges.

 

If the hospital plan falls through, is my only option to contact gold key directly, request a bill and pay the outrageous amount in full?

 

I have a feeling if I tell them I will only pay the original amount, Ill just get hung up on yet again... I honestly dont understand how these companies can legally get away with this. Even more so, they are only like 50 miles from me, I'm surprised they would act this way, not knowing if I was the kind of person who would come and "deal" with this in person. Believe me, It crossed my mind after my last phone call.

[AmnCorny]

Myself, I'd leave it alone. The collection is 5 years old and probably isn't hurting you too much. You may run into them reaging it if you try to work with them. You say that you would need to update your address? Is the incorrect address on your report? If so, get it removed and then dispute the debt.

[wonkalow]

While, id like to agree with you, and try to forget about it. Im really really set on trying to get financed for a car by the end of the year. My scores are 702/693/578. The third is the only one that this was reported to. The only two things on my credit report is this, and 4 months or so of payments to a secured credit card.

 

Everyone I ask, is telling me this one thing will cause me to either not get approved or get a really bad interest. If I only have to pay the original amount then.

 

Im still trying my luck paying hospital directly. They are closed for another hour, then I'm going to try them again.

 

 

It is the wrong address on the bill now, but only because i've moved since then. Also as far as I know, this wasn't on my report until recently when I actually established a credit record after getting my secured credit card.

[AmnCorny]

While, id like to agree with you, and try to forget about it. Im really really set on trying to get financed for a car by the end of the year. My scores are 702/693/578. The third is the only one that this was reported to. The only two things on my credit report is this, and 4 months or so of payments to a secured credit card.

 

Everyone I ask, is telling me this one thing will cause me to either not get approved or get a really bad interest. If I only have to pay the original amount then.

 

Im still trying my luck paying hospital directly. They are closed for another hour, then I'm going to try them again.

 

 

It is the wrong address on the bill now, but only because i've moved since then. Also as far as I know, this wasn't on my report until recently when I actually established a credit record after getting my secured credit card.

 

Have you posted in the Auto Finance forum? Marv can give you more info into this. Fill out one of his apps and he can give you some insite.

[rayangel]

i have a gold key collections on my equifax only cant get them off to save my life i sent them a pfd and got no response. im just going to keep disputing . i dont really want to pay them anyway. i would love to pay the hospital and get it off that way however the info is so vague that i have no idea where the bill actually came from. theres hospitals on every corner where i live.