AboutRay A Miller Expertise I am qualified to answer questions on the following subjects: FDCPA, FCRA and HIPAA as well as medical and general collections and collection agency related issues. I currently train these subjects at a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center and audit around 150 representatives for compliance to the laws. I have been in the Collections Industry for over 30 years. I feel that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with compassion and that is the way I train our collectors. Even though I work for a Collection Agency, I get great satisfaction in helping those who have been mistreated or in need of help with these confusing issues.
Experience I am the Compliance Administrator with a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center-I have trained hundreds of collectors on the above referenced topics. I currently train, audit and, give feedback to 150 associates and their Managers. I have been in the medical collections industry for over twenty years and research these topics on a daily basis.
Organizations ACA International
Education/Credentials Some college
ACA Certified Collection Specialist
Question I entered into a payment agreement with Collection Agency A. One week after making my first payment as agreed, Collection Agency B notified me that my debt had been turned over to them. I have requested verification from Agency B, but have not received an answer at this time. I contacted Agency A via phone, and was told that my account had indeed been turned over to Agency B and that I would no longer be billed by them, as my account was no longer with Agency A. I am now receiving phone calls from Agency A, requesting that I keep making payments and that the debt is with them still, despite what I was told before. Additionally, Agency A is requesting that I make larger payments than agreed upon originally.
How should I proceed with this? Obviously, I do not want to pay an agency that does not own my debt. I do not want to default on the agreement if they do actually have the debt, however. Should I ask for verification, or would it not matter at this point in time? Thank you.
Answer Write both collection agencies and the original creditor, by certified mail, and demand that they send you validation of the debt and inform them that you are exercising your rights under the FDCPA to dispute the debt. Inform the agencies that you are going to contact the FTC, Attorney General for your state, the BBB about there apparent illegal collection activity and will also dispute this debt with the credit bureaus. Put on the letter CC: who ever you copied, so they will know you mean business.
