by Lucinda Davis

Created on: January 08, 2009

There are some bill collectors who break the rules and make a bad name for the good ones out there. If you've gotten a collection notice these are some helpful tips in dealing with a bill collector. I will present you with several different scenarios that could happen.

Problem: You KNOW you PAID the bill and have PROOF, but have recently received a collection letter.

Solution: Always remain calm no matter how disgusted you are because the more mature and calm you act the more likely the bill collector will listen to you and communicate effectively. Always have a pen and paper next to the phone to jot down conversation notes and important details. You should first call the original creditor and ask them why you got the collection notice when you were just in and paid it and have a receipt or check to prove that it's paid. The creditor will likely tell you your payment crossed in the mail or something like that. The creditor should then notify the collection agency that the account is paid in full. Ask who you are speaking to and write down names and extension numbers. If they don't have an extension number ask for that persons last name. You should then call the collection agency and verify that the creditor has notified them the debt was paid. If you speak to the collection agency and they tell you they have not been notified then tell them who you spoke to and tell them your receipt number or check number so they may verify it. Tell the bill collector that you would like them to call you back once they verify with the creditor that the debt was paid. When the collector returns your call and tells you that it is a zero balance then verify that it is not on your credit file. If the bill was paid prior to going to collections then it should not have posted and the collector will tell you. This should solve the problem. If you run into further problems such as the original creditor won't report the payment to the collection agency then their are laws to protect you. As long as you have your documentation to back you up then you can send the collection agency photocopies if necessary. There are other avenues to pursue but if the bill is paid and you simply bring the error to the attention of the creditor, most creditors will fix their error and apologize.

Problem: You KNOW you OWE THE BILL and WANT TO PAY IT, but don't know how you will pay it at this time whether it's due to wages lost, no job, low income, or whatever life has dealt you and don't want to be harrassed

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