We refinanced our house and got enough equity to pay off the 7 credit cards on our credit report (settlements). Every collection agency was so kind and nice enough to work with me on the settlement offers...except SRA Associates, Inc. I had a letter from SRA offering to settle my debt for 60% - which would be in the amount of $2637.02. By the time the refinance was complete, the letter was expired by less than two weeks. The underwriter still cut the check to SRA for $2637.02 - I sent the check to them and they called me to tell me that they would "apply" the check to our account, but I would still need to pay the other $362.98. I told them that I didn't have that and that the check stated that the amount of the check was a "Payoff" - but Michael tells me that since I didn't send a letter with the check that it is not considered a "payoff". He told me that he could settle for $2857.02. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? We aren't settling over 220.00? I explained to him that I didn't have any money and that I really wanted to settle this. He was extremely rude and told me that he didn't have time to waste with me - that I was the one that owed the debt and I was wasting his time. He proceeded to tell me that when I get $220.00 by the end of the month to call his office otherwise they would pursue legal actions against me for the full amount. I asked him why the offer for $2637.02 was ok 2 weeks ago, but not now. He told me that we waited too long. Yet I spoke with Sheena every week and she knew exactly what was going on. !
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This happens all the time. if you dont pay the settlement amount in full, with a letter stating it is the agreed upon settlement, and copy of the letter, agencies try this ploy to get the balance. Unless you have a slick attorney on retainer you are going to be stuck paying the balance.
I know you wont like this, but a paid in full credit line looks alot better than a settled credit line, from a lending perspective.
Take that for what it is.