Asset Acceptance
P O Box 318037
Warren Michigan 48090
U.S.A.
|
|
Asset Acceptance No I'm not giving my new information to you... What is this in regards to? Chicago Illinois
1Author
2Consumer
0Employee/Owner
My parents call me to tell me that a "Richard" has called to collect debt from me. I get the number from my parents and I call. I get a woman named "Cheandellil Purnell" who informs me that I have an outstanding debt from my AT&T account. I haven't had that account for 3 years, and I know it ended with a rather hard grueling battle that was fully taken care of because AT&T accepted responsibility for it's damage. That was in July 2004.
I was stunned to even have this thrown back into my life, because it was such high drama. "How have you tried to contact me?" She said that they have sent two letters in the mail to my address ... my address three years old, I haven't lived there in 3 years, and I only get two pieces of actual mail with regards to this debt?
It was an outstanding bill of $466.75 (which ressinates in my mind as the whole AT&T drama 3 years ago) and with a payment of $200.00 on July 2004 (which all of this ended) I still owe, $241.32? How does one come up with this number?
I asked for the settlement price, and she gives me $193.00 - How does this mathematically work out? What I do "owe" them is $241.32, a $25.43 difference in my honor, now why would a debt collection agency take a nice little piece of my debt off my bill for paying it. Doesn't it work the other way -
Dontyankme
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Asset Acceptance
REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author
2Consumer
0Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals
#1 Consumer Suggestion
AUTHOR: Tim - Valparaiso (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, September 07, 2007
POSTED: Friday, September 07, 2007
It's perfectly normal for a debt collection agency to offer to reduce the amount in order to get SOMETHING out of you. They are looking to the additional expenses they will incur in trying to collect the full amount, and recognizing that they are better off accepting a lower amount if they can get it NOW, thereby avoiding increasing expenses on their part.
If I were you, and if you are willing, I would just start negotiating with them. The $193 figure is basically their opening bid. I would counter with an offer to pay $150 NOW and see where it gets you.
The unfortunate truth is that shelling out somewhere between $150 and $193 is probably a better option than trying to fight them, going through all the stress involved, and ultimately ending up paying possibly more than the $244.
Best of luck!
#2 Consumer Suggestion
AUTHOR: Robert - Buffalo (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, September 07, 2007
POSTED: Friday, September 07, 2007
I have been voluntarily (for free) counseling folks with credit issues since 1982. I never recommend negotiating with any debt collector - period - no exceptions.
I would not settle with the debt collector! My experience has been that the collectors will offer you a reduced amount. When you pay that reduced amount, that usually gets that particular debt collector off your back and then the creditor comes at you later for the balance. Your report reads as though this is exactly what happened to you in the past.
If you're going to settle, settle with the CREDITOR and get it in writing that the debt is absolved with payment of the agreed settlement amount before you send anyone a dime! Pay NOTHING until you have a written settlement agreement from the CREDITOR! The ONLY CONVERSATION you should have with this debt collector is to obtain a mailing address to send a certified return receipt requested letter to dispute this debt. Discuss NOTHING else with the debt collector.
Ok, you need to do a few things:
FIRST - Read the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at http://ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm.
SECOND - send a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the DEBT COLLECTOR to dispute the debt and request written validation of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such validation or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor. Also, include a statement stating that you do not wish to be contacted again until you receive all the written debt validation information you have requested. In your case you want to clearly state that this is NOT YOUR DEBT and you should specifically ask for the following documentation:
What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
Identify the original creditor;
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account;
Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state;
Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent.
THIRD - Once you received the written validation information requested, contact the CREDITOR (who owns the debt) via certified mail to resolve the matter. It's OK to talk to the creditor on the phone but make it very clear that NO PAYMENT will be made until you receive a written conformation of the settlement that includes a statement that the debt is absolved when the agreed amount is paid.
Any agreement you reach with the creditor needs to be in writing before you pay them a dime! You want to be sure that they document to you that the debt is absolved when you pay the settlement amount. Further, you want them to update the credit bureaus with "paid as agreed" in return. This is a negotiation - they give and get something, but so do you! They get some more money and you get the debt absolved.
Good luck.
