Mcm - MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT My wife was paying on debt and was told one thing on the phone and amount .And was reaching closing of account and called to find out total and was not what she was told the second time.. San Diego, California

go to www.budhibbs.com to find out how these scum bag collectors were kicked out of Maryland

Never EVER pay a third party debt collector - they will rob you blind -

This is a perfect example of why you NEVER talk to a collection agency over the phone.  You have no proof of what was said.  I can almost guarantee you that if she pays more without a written agreement that $600 difference will turn into a $1000 or more difference.

The best thing to do is make sure everything is in writing.   EVERY letter you send to them should be by Certified Mail with Return Receipt.   You should only accept offers from them if they put them in writing BEFORE any money is sent. 

Unfortunately MCM is one of the "bottom feeders" in the Collection industry.  Normally the first thing to do is send a Debt Validation Letter that makes them validate that you actually do owe the debt.  As there was a very good chance that your wife was under no legal obligation to pay on the debt anymore.  However, once she made the payment she probably reset the Statute of Limitations which means that they can again come after her legally, and makes a Debt Validation letter almost useless.

The best thing to do is take the current amount they say is owed and offer between 25%-50% of that amount in a single payment.  Remember to do this in a letter, but do not sign your name(only type it).  Be sure to add in that they are to not contact you by phone, only through the mail.  If they violate that part you can actually go after them for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. 

Only when you get an agreement from them you can agree with do you send any money.