Serious LACK of money here.
By TessWhite
@TessWhite (3146)
United States
July 8, 2008 12:48pm CST
Credit cards - two words that are the bane of my existance. I wish I'd never heard of them before. Back when I was able to work and earn a living I had credit cards. I made money, I paid my bills.
Then I became disabled, before my credit card bills were paid. I have been TRYING so very very hard for almost a year now to make payment arrangements with one particular credit card. They insist on being difficult and don't grasp the concept of hey - disabled - no more big income! Instead they turned me over to a collection agency. How ironic is that since I used to do collections??? LMAO Talk about Karma.
So here I am today, trying to stay calm, breathing in that oxygen from my tank, feeling my heart pounding and listening to some TWIT yell at me about not paying my bills, we're going to sue you, we will file a judgement, we will take your disability... yada yada yada. I finally had to hang up on the TWIT since I couldn't catch my breath or calm my racing heart.
I KNOW they can't take my disability payment. I've checked. I KNOW I charged things and created the bill. And I KNOW that I owe it. But can't these guys just cut me a little bit of slack for at least TRYING to pay my freaking bill???? I am so poor these days I can't even file bankruptcy.
Yes I have internet, ok I have ONE extra in my life. Just one. When you are stuck at home so many days in a row you need an outlet to the outside world.
Back to my topic here.. Anyone have any wonderful suggestions for how to get these mean uncaring TWITS off my back?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Most states have laws concerning the behavior of bill collectors. Use this to your advantage. When these people call tell them you are tape recording the call on the advice of your lawyer. You have to tell them when taping the call. Then be polite and reasonable. If he yells or curses you, it is a gottcha moment for you. If he is polite and civil you win!
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
27 Jul 08
Check out the laws concerning the behaviour of debt collectors. There is a line between collecting a debt and being a thug. To my mind, you have an obligation to pay your debts but they most certainly do not have a right to use 'Gangster' tactics when dealing with you.
I take it you have spoken to them about your current situation? What I would do is to look for records to show that you have done everything in your power to negotiate with the debt collection agency.
Then I would find a legal counsel, who is willing to give you a bit of free-legal advice on where legal debt collection stops and criminal intimidation begins.
Armed with this knowledge, you could probably try and live through two or three incidents. Tape them (borrow a recorder if you don't have one) and when you have enough proof that you are victim of criminal intimidation, then make a police report. Let the state deal with it.
I would also prepare a letter to several of the editors in your local media handy. If the police start taking their own time, send them out. Make sure you shame the behavior of the credit card company.
With these guys don't threaten. Just do it and catch them off guard. Be like North Korea and it's real nuclear missile and not like Saddam and his big mouth. You have to think rationally and work the processes. If you have intention to fulfill your side of the deal, you do not deserve to be consistently intimidated.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Thanks for the idea. This time she got me so upset yelling I yelled back. I couldn't get her to work with me at all and ended up hanging up on her. I'll have to see how to go about taping the phone calls. I just submitted the information to a consumer protection agency for review, we will see what they tell me I should do.
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
3 Dec 08
I know this is an old discussion, but I can so relate to it. Just like you, when I was working I was able to pay my bills. I have been laid off now for almost six months, and can not find a job. I was able to pay my bills up until October. I paid what I could on two credit cards. then the calls started coming. I explained that I was not working and was doing the best that I could. I guess now, these people are a little more kinder, since so many people are going through the same thing.
I avoid the calls, they stop for a while, then they start up again. It kills me when they want to set up a payment plan, that would be fine, if you had the money to pay.
I am not dodging my obligations, it is just that I do not have the money at the time. You can not squeeze blood out of a turnip.
Hope things are better for you now.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Thanks for responding. I've tried that but get so fed up with ringing phones. I think the next thing will be getting unlisted number.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Wow Tess, we are still working on the twin thing here! I don't even answer my phone anymore without screening thru my answering machine first. I even have all the ringers on the phone shut off so all I hear is the answering machine turn on. Most of the time they just hang up so I don't have to hear the twits.
As to how to get them off your back, my only suggestion is to tell twitface that if she calls again you'll sue her and the company where she works for harrassment and then hang up on her. I did that a couple years ago with one agency and it worked! Never heard from them again except by mail.
Ya never know it might just work, can't hurt to try. Hugs
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
9 Jul 08
Thanks, I don't think this one is gonna scare that easily. But I'll figure it out. Hugs
@greenspider (31)
• United States
9 Jul 08
I have a solution which worked for me when I was in the same sinking boat you are in. If you will send an e-mail to me at: greenspider43@yahoo.com I will respond asap. I cannot display this information on a public forum.
@gtgirl6643 (36)
•
8 Jul 08
I would be happy if my bill got sent to a collection agency, they can be somewhat forgiving and will cut the bill in half. The credit card company wouldn't even think about doing this!
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
8 Jul 08
You obviously haven't dealt with this collection agency. They won't give their name, their fax number and they like to yell. As for cutting the bill in half? Not hardly.
