drftballfan
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Georgia
I received a speeding ticket in Jackson County, Florida about 2 years ago. I mailed a money order as payment along with my ticket and assumed that I had paid my fine since I received no further notice from the county.
Now 2 years later, I am receiving a notice from a collection agency (Credit Bureau of Marianna) that I may pay the fine plus interest or my license will be suspended. I naively assumed that by not receiving any followup calls or written requests for payment from them that they did receive my money order so it is possible that I no longer even have the money order tracking slip (they would not accept personal checks, which I could have easily verified with my bank). Also, I have pulled my DMV record each year to check it and this ticket was never listed on my driving record.
So here are my questions:
1) Can a collection agency threaten to suspend one's license? I was under the impression that such an action had to be initiated by the state? I know collectors will sometimes make illegal threats in order to secure the money they are seeking. What are my rights and options in this case?
2) Because I am a Georgia resident, will the State of Florida be able to take steps to suspend my license if they continue to believe I did not pay?
I mailed a payment for this fine 2 years ago and I do not wish to pay for it twice. Not all departments mail receipts so I assumed this was the case (my wife got 2 tickets when she was younger...the larger city mailed her a receipt and with the smaller county she had to call and verify that they received payment because they do not mail receipts).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I received a speeding ticket in Jackson County, Florida about 2 years ago. I mailed a money order as payment along with my ticket and assumed that I had paid my fine since I received no further notice from the county.
Now 2 years later, I am receiving a notice from a collection agency (Credit Bureau of Marianna) that I may pay the fine plus interest or my license will be suspended. I naively assumed that by not receiving any followup calls or written requests for payment from them that they did receive my money order so it is possible that I no longer even have the money order tracking slip (they would not accept personal checks, which I could have easily verified with my bank). Also, I have pulled my DMV record each year to check it and this ticket was never listed on my driving record.
So here are my questions:
1) Can a collection agency threaten to suspend one's license? I was under the impression that such an action had to be initiated by the state? I know collectors will sometimes make illegal threats in order to secure the money they are seeking. What are my rights and options in this case?
2) Because I am a Georgia resident, will the State of Florida be able to take steps to suspend my license if they continue to believe I did not pay?
I mailed a payment for this fine 2 years ago and I do not wish to pay for it twice. Not all departments mail receipts so I assumed this was the case (my wife got 2 tickets when she was younger...the larger city mailed her a receipt and with the smaller county she had to call and verify that they received payment because they do not mail receipts).
Any help would be greatly appreciated!