It’s happening again. Earlier this year, we were sued by a debt collector who was already getting regular payments but decided they wanted all of the money now. Meanwhile, the debt relief company we were using provided spectacularly bad customer service. Fortunately, there was only $150 left of that debt and we were able to go in and pay it off. They got the balance a measly 8 months early after waiting three years.
Now, Collection Center, Inc., representing Poudre Valley Hospital (who has received their last visit from us, we will gladly drive the extra 10 miles to the next hospital rather than give them another penny!) is doing the same thing. They have received regular (if small) payments through CareOne for the past 8 months and yesterday we were served with a summons to appear in court. Unlike the last one, we don’t have the cash to pay this off.
I’ve called and left a message stating that they are being paid on this debt and didn’t object to the payment plan during the last 8 months. The amount they are receiving should pay the debt off in just under 2 years. I don’t think that is unreasonable. And if they don’t back down, we will go to court and fight this insanity.
I have to say, of all the debt collectors I’ve ever dealt with, the most unreasonable have been the ones who collect medical debts. Kind of ironic when you consider that, unlike most debts, the size of the bill is their clients’ fault. As I paid one bill off last year, I quipped that they should tell their clients that “if they didn’t charge such ridiculous fees, they wouldn’t have as hard of a time getting paid.” That was for a $300 doctor’s bill for a 15 minute visit.
So, be warned, if you ever have a debt held by Collection Center, Inc or Account Brokers of Larimer County. They will happily shoot you in the back while smiling to your face as you hand them regular payments.
