First Collection call and the bill is not even late

[needanswers]

The phone rang first thing in the morning by a creditor looking for their payment that is not even late yet. The account is $20 over the limit and they wanted payment now. They recorded the call. I was a ball of nerves, I just didn't know what to say other than I'll try to get it to them. They are nosey little buggers, they ask a million questions!

We aren't planning to file till June but I'm sitting her looking around trying to figure out what I can sell fast on ebay to raise money to avoid collection calls like this. And it's only going to get worse.

We have retained a lawyer but I don't want to do send the creditors a warning so they can try more aggressive tactics.

[jacko]

If your filing in June, why are you still paying on your credit card(s)? Remember, there are no debtor prisons in this country. Save your dough.

The phone rang first thing in the morning by a creditor looking for their payment that is not even late yet. The account is $20 over the limit and they wanted payment now. They recorded the call. I was a ball of nerves, I just didn't know what to say other than I'll try to get it to them. They are nosey little buggers, they ask a million questions!

We aren't planning to file till June but I'm sitting her looking around trying to figure out what I can sell fast on ebay to raise money to avoid collection calls like this. And it's only going to get worse.

We have retained a lawyer but I don't want to do send the creditors a warning so they can try more aggressive tactics.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

If you have retained an attorney stop paying all your unsecured creditors or secured creditors you planning giving something back (house, boat, car). Tell the creditor you are filing bankruptcy and give them your attorney name and phone number. You did good you are going to surprise them all by filing. Your attorney should have told you not to pay any more unsecured creditors so verify this is correct.

If those creditors start asking 20 questions just say.. My attorney can answer that.. Don't even tell them which chapter you are filing. Your attorney can provide that to them. I only say this because you paid a retainer already.

[needanswers]

If you have retained an attorney stop paying all your unsecured creditors or secured creditors you planning giving something back (house, boat, car). Tell the creditor you are filing bankruptcy and give them your attorney name and phone number. You did good you are going to surprise them all by filing. Your attorney should have told you not to pay any more unsecured creditors so verify this is correct.

If those creditors start asking 20 questions just say.. My attorney can answer that.. Don't even tell them which chapter you are filing. Your attorney can provide that to them. I only say this because you paid a retainer already.

Yes, the attorney told us not to pay any more payments but I'm having a hard time with it. I'm nervous because my DH has a steady income, that telling the creditors too early would lead to wage garnishing. We'll have enough money to pay the attorney and file at the end of May so we can file June 1.

Until then, the collection calls are going to kill me. I do not have a thick skin and I really do not want them calling relatives or work.

[anime-chicka]

The phone rang first thing in the morning by a creditor looking for their payment that is not even late yet. The account is $20 over the limit and they wanted payment now. They recorded the call. I was a ball of nerves, I just didn't know what to say other than I'll try to get it to them. They are nosey little buggers, they ask a million questions!

We aren't planning to file till June but I'm sitting her looking around trying to figure out what I can sell fast on ebay to raise money to avoid collection calls like this. And it's only going to get worse.

We have retained a lawyer but I don't want to do send the creditors a warning so they can try more aggressive tactics.

There's a reason why you retained an attorney - to deal with things like this. As jacko said, why are you paying? Stop and use the money to take care of the necessities (food, TP, utilities, etc.). Give the company your lawyers' name and number and learn to recognize the numbers on caller ID if you have it. If not, screen your calls. Voicemail/answering machines will become your best friend until you file.

[needanswers]

If your filing in June, why are you still paying on your credit card(s)? Remember, there are no debtor prisons in this country. Save your dough.

This will be our first month of late payments.....I'm having a tough time accepting we cannot pay.

[ForumReader]

This will be our first month of late payments.....I'm having a tough time accepting we cannot pay.

I know how you feel. That is how I felt when I had the bills and tried to do something about them, first paying them each month then, by enrolling with a debt settlement company which scammed me and so forth. Good luck!

[Faust]

This will be our first month of late payments.....I'm having a tough time accepting we cannot pay.

Don't worry! You get over it in a hurry! I was scared to death but once I made up my mind to file it all went better!

Good luck to you!

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Heck.. by the time they get all the paperwork together to do a wage garnishment you will have filed already. Remember.. if you are paying some creditors and not others you are giving preferential payment. Stop paying all unsecured creditors so you don't get in trouble.. you'll quickly get over not paying by the time you file. Also, once you provide your attorney information the creditors wont want to waste their money trying to collect... so you both benefit by telling them you are filing.

[catleg]

Not even late yet? Sounds like Amex.