On September 9, I got a collection letter from this company. What struck me odd was that this was a "third notice." There was no company listed that they were trying to collect payment for, nor was there any amout listed to be paid. Of course it had the usual "this is a very serious matter and you are instructed to contact this office immediately to make resolution on or before 9/10/08." Then what I thought was odd as well was this copy in all caps and bolded: the merchant will not accept payment under any circumstances.
So of course I called and gave them the account number listed at the bottom of the letter. The check number and date were correct. However, the check itself was only $40.00. However, this company wanted $174.00!!!
The collector I talked to was a total jerk. He rattled off ways to pay off the debt that very day ($6.95 moneygram from Wal-mart, $12.00 for direct payment from my checking account) and on and on. I had to ask what company this was for and the jerk told me and then said I had to pay by 9/10/08 or face legal action.
I then explained that my husband is currently on active military overseas. There is a Sailor and Soldiers Credit Act of 1946 which prohibits any legal action while my husband is on active duty.
Well, this rude jerk proceeded to try and shake me up. He didn't care that my husband (who had wrote the check) was laying his life on the line for our country and then accused, "Oh, okay then, so it's okay for him to steal? Fine then. I'll note it on the report!" and rudely hung up.
I called the company that the check had been written to and they got back to me one day later. Yes, the check in question was valid and for $40.00. But all I would have to do is pay a $15.00 fee for a total of $55.00, a far cry from $174.00.
When I told the nice customer rep about that letter from Georgia Check Recovery, she was floored and I gave her information about the letter and where the company was located. Later on, she called me back and said the company does NOT use Georgia Check Recovery as a collection agency!
So I will fax her this dubious letter. Once she researches it and gets back with me, I will gladly pay this company the $55.00 I really owe them.
So if you get a letter from Georgia Check Recovery, do not pay them. Contact the company to whom you made the check yourself and deal with them. Otherwise, you'll be ripped off!
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