[oophs]

A collection agency has purchased my debt. I want to pay it but I do not trust the collection agency. Many of them are unethical. Even if they have legitimately acquired the debt, they try to collect more than the actual debt by 1) increasing the amount due, or, most commonly, making offers to reduce the amount due for a quick payment but when the debtor pays the amount, they continue to try to collect the difference. I don't know whether this is legal but I do not want to find out the hard way so I do not trust these companies and would rather pay when I can afford it back to the original lender. I understand that lenders could refuse to take the money even if it's for the correct amount that was originally owed, because they want you to deal directly with the collection agency. My question is whether there is a way to force the original lender to accept the money because I refuse to deal with collection agency I know nothing about and don't trust them. This particular one is listed on the BBB and has 111 complaints in the past 3 years and only 67 was worked out only 1 year ago (which it took 2 years to resolve 67 issues... that's not a good record at all. I certainly do not want to be caught up in that mess. They have "No Rating" which means to me there's a problem with them... beware. So bottom line is how can I get the original company to accept payment? Not a reduced payment, but the same amount that I do owe, even after they've sold the debt? Thanks for your response

[tickle]

The original company can't accept payment. They have already been paid by selling it for so many cents on the dollar; their best recoup.As far as original company is concerned, your debt is discharged with them.

Tick

[Fr_Chuck]

If the debt has really been bought, not just assigned for collection, the first company can not legally accept payment.

So once you verify that it has actually been sold, you will have to deal with the current owner. Don't accept or agree to anything over the phone, only do it in writing

[oophs]

Thanks very much. I'll try to find out whether it was actually sold or just assigned for collection. I guess, I can just ask the original lender. However, in case they won't tell me, is there another way to find out? I don't respond to the frequent calls from the collection agency. They send letters but I do not want to acknowledge anything by responding to them because I'm not sure they're legit. Some collection agencies get the information on delinquency (public info) and start sending out letters to get money from debtor illegally, which is why even after payment to them, the debt is is still due to them. Is there a website that I can go find out about the status of my debt?
Thanks so much for your response.

[oophs]

Thanks very much. I'll try to find out whether it was actually sold or just assigned for collection. I guess, I can just ask the original lender. However, in case they won't tell me, is there another way to find out? I don't respond to the frequent calls from the collection agency. They send letters but I do not want to acknowledge anything by responding to them because I'm not sure they're legit. Some collection agencies get the information on delinquency (public info) and start sending out letters to get money from debtor illegally, which is why even after payment to them, the debt is is still due to them. Is there a website that I can go find out about the status of my debt?
Thanks so much for your response.

[tickle]

No website you can go to, and I doubt entirely the original lender will respond to any questions from you.

Tick

[ScottGem]

First, if you have a follow-up question or info, please use the Answer options below, not Comments.

You can certainly require that the collector show proof of their right to collect on the debt. Not all collection agencies are unethical. But if the debt was purchased then you have some leverage for a settlement since it was probably purchased for pennies on the dollar.