paying org creditor question

[041779]

I canceled comcast a few months ago and moved. I've been strapped for cash through the summer and called them to let them know that they'd recvieve the full amount (close to 200) in September. Of course, the next day they sent it to collections.

So, I have no desire to pay the collection service, but do intend to pay comcast.


what would happen if I paid the org creditor and notified the collections agency that I had done so

[magyar123]

The original creditor will probably return your check to you, and tell you to pay the collection agency. If Comcast accidentally cashes the check anyway, through a copy of the cancelled check you will have proof that it was paid.
Might just want to let it go to collections anyway, they're easier to negotiate settlements with than original creditors. A few years ago I settled a $500 cell phone bill for $125. Cingular Wireless didn't want to settle at all, they sent my account to a collection agency.

[041779]

well since its new i dont want it to go on my credit report.

if i pay the collection agency right away, will they not report it?

[041779]

I spoke with comcast. They sent it to collections the next business day after my telling them I would send the money in full in Sept.

It's not on my credit report. I just got the 30 day notice today.

Also, I asked a question for real answers, not a rant about shoulda coulda woulda.

[jessegirl]

If you pay it to comcast, make sure you write in the memo line "paid in full". This way if they cash it you have proof and once they cash the check and it says paid in full. They have to take that as a payment. Years ago I worked for comcast and we were told to watch for that in the memo line. Goodluck.

[HHM]

I agree with BigBoy

Honestly, how many thousands of times do you think they have heard from a debtor, I will pay you on XX Date. Did you really expect them to wait. PLEASE?

Paying comcast direct is pointless at this point. So what if you do not want to pay the collection agency, it really doesn't matter. You have let the damage be done.

[041779]

well. I've devised a plan.

Since I'll request verification of the debt, on say.. the 30th. that's 5 days from the 30 day mark, it'll take them some time to get around to verifying the debt.

I'll have a nice chunk of change come the 2 of Sept and could pay Comcast before the CA even gets around to verifying.

Yes, I have seen my credit reports. Daily. So I know nothing is on there.

The only issue with paying the agency is if they will then consider it valid and report it to the agencies even after it has been paid.

[treehugger1]

A point of interest here. In my personal experience, if you pay the debt to collection company within 30 days of their dunning letter nothing gets reported to a credit reporting agency. Most initial collections are debt assigned to be collected by the CA, not debt owned by the CA.

On the other hand, I support comments by HHH and Bigboy. If you don;t pay, what do you expect to happen?

You can't be insolvent and not pay your bills while expecting to protect your credit rating. If you want good credit, pay your bills as they come due. If you don't care about your credit rating, you can tell the CA to FOAD, and suffer whatever consequences come your way.

Just reality...

[041779]

I guess I wasn't clear.

It's not that I don't want to pay the bill.

It's that I can't pay the bill till Sept.

I have no money. I'm sat up in my parents house looking out the window for a month waiting for school to start back up and I can get my FinAid and VA benefits back.

Don't think I get jollies from not paying the cable bill when due.

Besides, it was due in July. I called at the end of July (31st) and they immediately (Aug 4) sent it to collections.

[epiphany]

I guess I wasn't clear.

It's not that I don't want to pay the bill.

It's that I can't pay the bill till Sept.

I have no money. I'm sat up in my parents house looking out the window for a month waiting for school to start back up and I can get my FinAid and VA benefits back.

Don't think I get jollies from not paying the cable bill when due.

Besides, it was due in July. I called at the end of July (31st) and they immediately (Aug 4) sent it to collections.

Just a side note, don't rely on that debt validation coming. I requested all of two and they were ignored before civil proceedings began. No it's not right, but don't count on it to happen.

ep

[treehugger1]

041719: I don't doubt that you want to "pay the bill." Everyone on this board would like to "pay the bill." The difference is that many on this board had or have to make serious decisions, and their credit rating is secondary. Credit isn't everything. Please don't take our responses as a personal assault. It's just that this is a BK forum, and folks here are so far in debt (for a variety of reasons) that your $200 comcast bill barely registers.

Again, if I were in your shoes I would call the CA and work out a payment plan. Get it in writing. Most CA's will not agree to not report to the credit reporting agencies if you go beyond the 30 day period, but it would not hurt for you to speak with them. Be humble and gracious, and they might work things out in your favor. But, there are no guarantees.

Cheers!

[041779]

Bigboy, you don't have the slightest clue what has gone on to get this 30 year old 'spoiled kid' into this situation of which this bill is a very small part or how much money I have already come up with to take care of all of it. I don't care to have a lecture, a comparison of what you know of my situation to everyone else's, or father figure by proxy. Go ahead and don't respond for my sake anymore cause I'm not gonna read it.

Treehugger, thanks for your genuine help and response that didn't involve shaking a finger.

[EveryDayAdam]

041779,

Your best bet is to call the collection agency and negotiate. Tell them you will authorize a payment, but don't have the money in your account until september. If they agree not to report it to the credit agencies, you will authorize them now for a future payment on the day the money gets put in to your account.

Most are willing to accept terms like that, because all they care about is the cash...they don't give a crap about your credit report. They only report to the credit agencies as a motivation to getting you to pay. You have something they want (cash) they have something you want (clean credit). Negotiate

Good luck!