Collection agency is after me for a small debt

**Alex485** · 05-01-2006, 07:27 AM

Hello!

I was wondering guys what kind of a advice you can give me on this. About a year ago or less I was experiencing serious pains in my wisdom tooth. I went to the doctor and they got it out. Few weeks later i got a call from collection agency stating that I owe $575 dollars to them. I said well I am unemployed at this point, and that theres nothing that I can. I told them that once I have any kind of money I would definitely payoff. What really got me mad was that my insurance company never notified me of my insurance cut off at the time I went to get my tooth pulled. I am currently 21 years old I live with my parents. I asked them for help but they have there own issues as far as bills and everything else. The collection agency kept calling me like almost everyday harrasing me. I finally told them, that I would give them my bank account which was a huge mistake. I told them to not take any money out because I have no funds in there. They went and started taking money out, electronicly and checks started bouncing. I stopped it very fast. They send me a letter threating me that they would take any kind of legal actions according to my state and federal laws. I got scared and borrowed 200 dollars from my friend paid that off then another 90 or so. My question is now that the payment is due in full of $285 and I have no job and I am a student what can I do. They called me and I was honest with them and told them that I don't have a job at this moment and that once I get a job, I will make my payment in full. I am so scared you have no Idea. I am not a criminal nor will I ever be. What is your advice to me.

Thanks

**Mr. Knowitall** · 05-05-2006, 01:09 AM

It isn't that hard to find a part time job in today's economy - although not necessarily one that would be much fun.... The cliché is "McDonalds is always hiring." Consider getting a job, even if it's just a couple of short shifts per week, and paying off the debt as quickly as you can. (This sounds like a horrible collection agency for a debtor to deal with....)

**Alex485** · 05-06-2006, 05:16 PM

Thanks for advice. The problem is that I get so much work in school and everythihg that I barely have time to breathe. I am not going to stop going to school because of some collection agency. I have papers to prove that I get so much work that, even If i was to go and get a job at mcdonalds I would most probably and likely start failing my classes. Any kind of a job basically would help me fail my classes. I go to school 4 times a week...I have Friday Saturday and Sunday off. But I get so much work that I can't work on weekends or even nights. I have no Idea what to do. The only time i can possibly think of any job is during the summer. I spoke to the collection agency but they refuse to work with me, after checks bounced. Should I just wait till the summer time get a job and pay off the debt? Also should I just ignore them and when I have the job pay off the debt?

**RRSMONDO** · 06-23-2006, 04:30 PM

Just send them a certified letter not to contact you anymore. The balance is to small for them to file suit. For about 4 bucks you will be rid of them. When you have the money to pay just mail it to the agency. Trust me they will never call you again.

**Alex485** · 07-13-2006, 09:06 AM

I'm not worrying about paying off the money. I will eventually pay off $215 dollars. The problem is that when the balance was at $575. I gave them my banking account I had no money in there and I told them not to take anything out from my account until i add the money in there. They electronically started taking out money and checks started bouncing. $200 was the amount of checks being bounced. They send me a letter saying they are going to do whatever it takes to my state and federal laws to take actions against me. I took 200 bucks paid it off than took another 90 and another 90 to pay off. They stopped calling me for sometime. Called me back again today saying If I don't pay by july 20th. They are going to do something about it. My question is..is this the way they threaten you to get they money from you...or are they really gonna press charges against me for boucing two checks even tho It was not my fault.

Thanks