How far will the bill collectors go to scare you?

[RingRat4Life]

What is the name of your state? California

I wrote a check in November 2003 to a casino in Reno, Nevada for $500 and it bounced. The casino contacted me and we made arrangements to pay it back in two payments. I made the first $250 payment and then I received a letter dated April 16, 2004 that the second payment was due. Well its now May 28th and I overlooked it (my fault - I admit). The casino wasted no time and sent me to collections. The collection agency called me yesterday to let me know I now owed $750, that it was due by 2:00 TODAY (yestreday) or I would be taken to court, or they would attach my wife's wages. I can't work anymore because I have Multiple Sclerosis and receive disability. My wife works. We don't own our home. She decided that was the only way to get something from us, after she takes me to court, was to attach my wife's wages or see if Nevada will let her attach my Social Security check.

She also said she was going to contact my landlord to tell them (she of course knew their names, and what their occupations were) and that she had contacted my wife's supervisor already and that she (the supervisor) was not happy about this. My wife had not spoken to her supervisor to see if this was true. She called my wife on her cell phone to give her the same threat - $750 due by 2:00 today - no payments accepted. "We are not a credit card company."

I contacted the casino in an effort to settle with them and pay the $250 yesterday. I even offered to come to Reno and pay it in person. They said it was too late. No way. Then the collection lady called again and said she knew I had just spoken to the casino and how funny it was I was trying to settle this now.

I guess my question is....can they really contact my landlord? This could upset them enough to want to kick us out (maybe I'm being extreme but I don't know). Could they really have called my wife's supervisor just to tell her "oh they wrote a bad check?" Even though we were in the process of repaying it, we didn't pay the second part fast enough (although the letter didn't say any due date-maybe it was due on receipt). This phone call had me sleepless last night. What do I do??

Thanks everyone/anyone!

 

[Rainaraines]

That collection agency is SO full of it!! First of all, due to 3rd party disclosure, they cannot under ANY circumstances discuss your personal business with anyone that you do not give them permission to! That is against the law. If she did in fact talk to your wife's supervisor, you can sue the collection agency for violation of the 3rd party disclosure law.

Second of all, the "deadline" that she gave you is because today is the last day of the month, and she wants her bonus. It's nothing to worry about. She is giving you alot of empty threats to bully you around. They can take you to court, but you can set up arrangements to pay it off. It doesn't have to go as far as a wage garnishment.

 

[RingRat4Life]

THANKS so much for some clarification. My wife is home today with a tension headache because this woman got her so stressed out yesterday.

The collection agency (same woman) of course has already called today and told me YOU NEED TO PAY YOUR BILL (now the deadline is 1:00) or we are going to attach your wife's wages.

These people never let up. A big sigh of relief that they are not invading our personal life that much by talking to our landlord or wife's supervisor. I am not trying to duck out of paying the rest of the $250 that I owe because I know that I owe it. If I didn't intend on paying it back, I would have never paid the first $250. They just won't accept payments. Hopefully a payment scheduled will be arranged (even if it is in court - though I really hope that doesn't happen) so that my wife's wages are not attached.

Thanks again,

Sleepless in California

 

[bigun]

Send a check for $250 to the casino. I'll bet they cash it.

 

[JETX]

Send a check for $250 to the casino. I'll bet they cash it.

Actually, to protect yourself, you need to send them TWO letters... 15 days apart..... and be sure to put the proper 'restrictive endorsement' on the back of the check.
The entire process (in California) can be found online at:
http://www.carreonandassociates.com/4settle.htm

 

[Ladynred]

IAAL could answer this for sure but I don't think they can attach the WIFE's wages for YOUR debt. I don't think the community property laws stretch THAT far.

Rainaraines is absolutley right, they're down to the last few days of the month and collectors have quotas make so they can get their bonuses. They will say just about ANYTHING to scare people into paying and their 'deadlines' are all pure BULL !

 

[RingRat4Life]

Thank You

Thank all of you for your replies. I will be checking out that website to see what I need to do about sending those letters and payment to the casino.

I can't imagine having a job like that (the bill collectors). They are horrible. Honest to goodness, I couldn't sleep last night. I'm glad I found this website to post this question. I wonder if they hire ex con-men or something for those jobs because they sure are convincing. I was waiting for Guido to show up on my doorstep.

 

[Rainaraines]

Ladynred- I was going to say that, about attaching his wife's wages, but if the account is joint, then they are both liable. So, technically, they could attach her wages if she's on the account.

Not all bill collectors are bad. Just most of them. I think I'm one of the nicer ones...