Debt in Collections

**mmy2grls** · 12-18-2007, 10:11 PM

I have some debt in collections, gas company from previous residence and some others. Should I deal with the collection places or go straight to the companies when I try to get this all paid?

**Kitten20** · 12-18-2007, 10:21 PM

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure you have to go through the collectors. The company won't deal with you after it has sent your account to collections. That is my understanding anyway! Anyone know for sure? I have a couple of things in collections also...

**kettlecorn** · 12-18-2007, 11:17 PM

I think you have to go through the collectors. You can however, right letters to the original co. asking to possibly delete the collection from your credit report. You can also settle for part of the amount owed and have them accept that and not blemish your report. Go to myfico.com they have message boards specifically for this. They also have templates of letters that you can send to the collection comp. HTH!

**McD** · 12-19-2007, 09:40 AM

Generally, companies will not deal with you after the item is sent to collection. This is because they have to pay a fee to the collection agency for using their services, whether the collection agency collects the money ower or not.

**BetterLateThanNever** · 12-19-2007, 01:27 PM

Actually the last I knew you should deal with the company and not the collection agency. Why not contact the company the worse they could say is no deal with the collection agency.

**Izzy0906** · 12-19-2007, 01:30 PM

I usually call the company first. 50% of the time they will settle the collection for me, the other 50% of the time they tell me to call the collection agency.

**baronmom** · 12-19-2007, 10:24 PM

I had a hospital bill that was sent to collections. The collection company sent my check back to me because it was not "enough" of a payment. I called the hospital and told them what happened. They told me to send the payments to them. It still stayed in collections, but I paid the bill off directly to the hospital, and never had a problem with them. I simply explained the problem of not being able to pay a lot of money at one time. They worked with me and I paid the bill off.