I got a call last week from a collections agency, and returned thier call immediately. They said I had an outstanding debt for a surgery that I had done last year and I hadn't paid my portion. I contacted the hospital and my insurance company, and I did confirm that I owed that amount. I asked why the hospital had never contacted me, and they said they had sent several letters and had made one phone call. I never recieved any notices from them, and the notes on the one phone call said the result was "dead air", meaning they got my answering machine and didn't leave a message.
Regardless, it was a valid debt and I paid the hospital via credit card for the balance ($398.35). I asked if they would contact the collections agency and inform them that the debt had been paid. This is when the girl from the hospital got very snotty with me and informed me that even though I had paid my balance with the hospital, that I had to pay the fees that the collection agency charged. I let her know that I felt that I shouldn't have to pay any additional charges, because I was never made aware of the bill. She started yelling at me, saying I was a liar (basically) and it's my credit that I'm going to ruin, so I could do whatever I wanted. When I asked why she was getting so mad, she hung up on me.
I don't carry debt. I owe a little bit more on my house, and other than that, everything is paid off every month, so I've never been in a situation like this. I'm pretty sure that I read somewhere that if you settle a debt with the orginal debtor, that you aren't responsible for any further charges through collections agencies, but I can't find where I read that. I'm just hoping for some direction on this.
I'm in the state of Utah if that makes any difference.
Thanks!
Hello Monty,
I feel for your situation since recently went through a similiar situation with a hospitol billing company. You could call and ask for the supervisor at the hospitol but chance are since the debt is yours and you have paid it then you will have to pay the collection amount. What I would do first however is check your credit report and see if the hospitol and collection agency have listed anything on there. Chances are they did. If so then you need to send them a pay for delete letter. This is a letter staing that you would like the listing totally removed from your credit report once you pay. Be sure to get it in writing. Some places will do this just to get rid of the debt.
Hi Monty,
I understand your situation. Ideally you are not supposed to pay the collection amount once you have settled the debt with the original creditor. But when a collection agency calls you for debt, you should deal with them since the creditor has already sold it off to them.
Anyways, in your case, I think you should let the CA know that you have already settled the bill with the OC and send them documents to prove that. Then call the hospital administrator and request him to talk to the CA regarding the issue. However, whichever you do, your credit will be affected negatively. If the hospital people do not help you, then you have to pay the CA. But remember to send a pay for delete letter asking them to remove the negative listing from your credit report.