Can they ding my credit?

[dbslas]

What is the name of your state? CA

I have been making monthly payments on an outstanding dental bill as agreed. I pay on time every month. However, I just recieved a notice from a debt collection company to pay debt in full immediately ~ well, I can't. My question is this: Can the collection agency put a ding on my credit when I am making a good faith effort to pay the debt? I plan to pay it in full with my income tax return, so am wondering if they can mark my credit, how long would it take before they can?

Thank you!

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? CA

I have been making monthly payments on an outstanding dental bill as agreed. I pay on time every month. However, I just recieved a notice from a debt collection company to pay debt in full immediately ~ well, I can't. My question is this: Can the collection agency put a ding on my credit when I am making a good faith effort to pay the debt? I plan to pay it in full with my income tax return, so am wondering if they can mark my credit, how long would it take before they can?

Thank you!

Q: Can the collection agency put a ding on my credit when I am making a good faith effort to pay the debt?

A: Yes, the debt is due in full now.


Q: I plan to pay it in full with my income tax return, so am wondering if they can mark my credit, how long would it take before they can?

A: Anyday now since you are in default and/or late with your payment.

 

[Ladynred]

Your best bet is to call the dentists office and see if you can get them to pull it back from the collection agency. Medical and dental providers don't want to wait forever to get paid, they typically will only hold a debt for 90 days before sending it to collections. Explain to the practice manager that you intend to pay in full with your tax refund, see if you can pay a bit more to have them pull it back. You're not going to get any answer except 'pay in full NOW' from a collection agency.

Chances are the collection agency has ALREADY dinged your reports.

 

[TigerD]

Chances are the collection agency has ALREADY dinged your reports.

Nope -- he did that himself.

DC

 

[seniorjudge]

Nope -- he did that himself.

DC

I didn't even know collection agencies dinged credit reports?!

When did that start happening?

 

[Ladynred]

You must be WAAAAAAAAAAYY out of the loop Sr Collection agencies ding credit reports all the time, usually as soon as they get an account, they nail your reports. As far as I know, they've been able to do so all along.

 

[seniorjudge]

Nope -- he did that himself.

DC

Ladynred...you missed the subtle joke....

 

[Ladynred]

Not exactly.. I 'got' DC's little jibe.. wasn't sure about yours