What is the name of your state? FL and GA
Okay. I went to renew my FL driver license back in May, and was refused. I was told there was an unpaid ticket in the state of GA from 7 years ago (which is right before I got my FL license) that was unpaid and my old GA license was suspended. I was told that had to be paid in order to renew my FL license. Time passed, I didn't resolve it. I got two tickets in FL and didn't pay those. One was driving on an expired license. Those did not get paid and my FL license is officially suspended, not just expired.
I am trying to finally take care of these things, as I am out of my "bad times" and getting back on my feet. I call the probate court (Camden County) to pay my ticket, and I was told it was sent to a collection agency in FL. I call them, and they not only want to charge me $260.00 for the original citation, but also 40% on top of that, citing FL statute 28.246 that allows them to do so. They also want to only let me pay by credit card and want to also charge me a $15 fee for making payment!
Can I not just bypass the collection agency and pay the state of GA directly? Can they legally charge me those fees?
The statute also states that the court can charge the fee, not the collection agency. And when I call the state, they tell me I only owe $260.00. But they do mention I will have to pay the collection agencies fees.
The statute also states that the court has to try to collect in another manner before using a private 3rd party collection agency. What happens if they didn't? Do they have to drop this all together?
I don't mind paying the $260.00, but with fees and everything the collection agency is trying to charge me 375.00! I think that is absolutely ridiculous!
Hopefully I can get a fast response. Thanks for the help in advance!!!!!!!!
Okay. I went to renew my FL driver license back in May, and was refused. I was told there was an unpaid ticket in the state of GA from 7 years ago (which is right before I got my FL license) that was unpaid and my old GA license was suspended. I was told that had to be paid in order to renew my FL license. Time passed, I didn't resolve it. I got two tickets in FL and didn't pay those. One was driving on an expired license. Those did not get paid and my FL license is officially suspended, not just expired.
I am trying to finally take care of these things, as I am out of my "bad times" and getting back on my feet. I call the probate court (Camden County) to pay my ticket, and I was told it was sent to a collection agency in FL. I call them, and they not only want to charge me $260.00 for the original citation, but also 40% on top of that, citing FL statute 28.246 that allows them to do so. They also want to only let me pay by credit card and want to also charge me a $15 fee for making payment!
Can I not just bypass the collection agency and pay the state of GA directly? Can they legally charge me those fees?
The statute also states that the court can charge the fee, not the collection agency. And when I call the state, they tell me I only owe $260.00. But they do mention I will have to pay the collection agencies fees.
The statute also states that the court has to try to collect in another manner before using a private 3rd party collection agency. What happens if they didn't? Do they have to drop this all together?
I don't mind paying the $260.00, but with fees and everything the collection agency is trying to charge me 375.00! I think that is absolutely ridiculous!
Hopefully I can get a fast response. Thanks for the help in advance!!!!!!!!