Verizon - Harassing me for more money

[kristikris]

State: Maryland

Verizon sent me to a collection agency last year for a $350 bill. I set up a payment plan of $50 a month with this collection agency and have since paid $150 and they called me yesterday saying, Verizon is not satisfied with how slow the bill is being paid off, and wants more money a month. I told them I don't have more than that in my budget and I cannot send any more than $50. The agent said to me "well mam according to our records, you make $20,000 a year, so you should be able to afford more than $50". Is he kidding me!!!!!!! I told him I have other obligations and bills than Verizon and $20 thou a year is not a lot of money and im not sending more than $50 a month!

I got this job under schedule A, which means im a disabled worker in the Federal Government.

What is with these people!!!!!!!!! They set this up and now they are asking for more! I can see if the amount was in the thousands, but regardless, you agreed to $50 a month and that's what im paying!

[Debt Guy]

Was your agreement in writing?

[kristikris]

Originally Posted by Debt Guy

Was your agreement in writing?

I have to look back at my records, but I don't think so, I just got a bill every month, and the due date each month to each bill showing my deductions and payments.

[Debt Guy]

Well, without a written agreement, there is no way to "make" them stick to the original deal.

This is a common tactic of a collection agency. They will get a person to agree to payments, go along for a couple of months, and then jack up the payment.

While this is ethically wrong, all they are trying to do is make you pay off what you owe earlier. That is their job.

As I recall from your post, you have only have $200 left on this bill. Here are your options.

1. Pay the $200 in a lump to get this behind you. Maybe you could borrow $200 from family or friends. If not, do you have $200 slack in your budget that you could squeeze out? Whatever you do, don't send them the rent money or the car payment money. That would only make things worse.

2. Stick to your guns and keep sending the $50 per month. Tell them "we had a deal and I'm sticking to the deal". They will argue and harangue and you will just have to put up with it. They could refuse the $50 payments but I doubt they would do that. Technically, they could sue you but that seems pretty far-fetched over a $200 balance.

3. Give a little. Increase the $50 to $60 or $75 or whatever. Only you can decide if it is worth the peace and how much pressure it puts on you.

4. Make a deal. Tell them you will send the full $200 when you get your tax refund. That assumes your refund will be at least $200 and that you are comfortable with that answer.

Only you know what works for you. These are all the major options I can think of.

Good luck to you. Email me directly at [email]debtguy@hotpop.com[/email] -- I am curious how this comes out.