I had an outstanding debt of about 1200.00 that Bennett and DeLoney apparently acquired from the original creditor. When I had some ability to pay, I called them and made a payoff offer of 50%, which they accepted. I was to pay them 309.00 in two payments and the matter would be resolved. I did make these payments with my debit card. (Yikes! Now I wish I had not used my debit card.)
Six weeks after I made my final agreed-to payment, I got a letter saying that I owed another 647.00 (which would have been the "rest" of the full amount that I originally owed, if I had not made an arrangement with them). When I called to straighten things out, I was told that I had never made that arrangement, that I had only offered to make a "payment."
They had me call back in 15 minutes so they could listen to the tape of my phone conversation with them in which the agreement was made. When I called back, I was transferred to the manager, who was using tactics I recognize from my experience with verbal/psychological abusers. He offered to let me listen to the tape, which, he said, would confirm that I had said I would pay the full amount, and that I had only offered to make a "payment" of 50%. I declined his offer. I realized that I was being screwed over at this point. I tried protesting, and he insisted that my "memory" was the problem.
I did not have anything in writing about this payoff that I negotiated with them. That was MY mistake... But, truthfully, these people will lie and say anything, so I doubt that something in writing would have made any difference (maybe with a more honest company, but not with Bennett DeLoney). How do they sleep at night?
Not sure what my next move will be. At the moment, I can't see paying that money to them on principle.
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