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Rebecca55
Guest
California. In an attempt to make payments to all my creditors, some of which had gone to collections, I consolidated all my bills. Two months went by and I noticed that four creditors (those gone to collections specifically) had not formally agreed to the payments being sent. So, one by one, I contacted each to make sure the payments were sufficient and to receive a statement. One in particular said that the payments were not sufficient and that if I didn't pay the full amount $1,728.00) in one month they would take me to court. I asked if we could negotiate something; some sort of payment plan we could both live with. They demanded that I send them my paycheck stubs and budget so that they could determine what payments could be made. My first question is, can a collection agency demand to see such private information as a requirement to arranging payment? When I offered to have my credit card consolidation company send it to them (as they already had it) I was told that they refuse to deal with 3rd parties. In any event, I offered them the best I could do which would be monthly payments to have the debt cleared in one year. I was told this is completely unacceptable and that a judgment would be entered against me. My second question; should I go to court to fight this or is it better to have it mediated? The mediator requires $525 and, if I had that, I would give it to the creditor! Also, because the creditor has already accepted two payments, does that help my case that they have in fact accepted what I've been able to do thus far? To give you an idea, my payments were $54 and $60 respectively. I offered them $139 each month instead; which they turned down. Should I go to court or mediate?