I recieved a call from Central Portfolio Control. The representative (Kristin) explained i had an outstanding debt and was looking to obtain payment and offered a "settlement amount". I was unfamiliar with this debt and asked if i could call the original company to verify. Kristin was very pleasant on the phone, doing her job to collect, but no threatining or intimidating in any way. Because of her, I called back when I said I would. I verified with her that yes I owe this.
While speaking with Kristin, I let her know that I just received a letter from her company offering me 6 monthly payments to pay the "settlement amount". She checked with her supervisor and returned saying we can set this up.
I specifically told her I am paid by my employer once per month, and could these payments be set up on that specific date every month. She said yes, verified the date (Which was 6 day from this call), took my account information and thanked me and that was it... Until...
Two days later, i checked my bank account online and they processed the payment the day after our call! This caused some issues with my account.
I called Kristin back directly and she verified that a 0 in the date auto fills and she forgot to change it to a six. She apologized and I said I understand, but these need to be on the the payday because that's what we agreed to. Also incurring a fee at my bank now for nsf. She asked her supervisor what she could do and came back with skipping next months payment.
I just wanted this payment reversed so my bank account was ok and set up correctly as we agreed just 2 days ago. No voices were ever raised between us two in our conversation as Kristin was very understanding and apologetic. I was seconds from saying well, things happen and i'll just deal with this myself, and abrubtly, I'm assuming her supervisor jumps on the phone. Very abrasives speaking male telling me our agreement has now been terminated and how do I want to pay the one lump sum with no settlement. He demanded this payment in full today or my refusal to pay. I could not pay this now.
I tried to tell him very politely on the phone that there is nothing wrong, i didn't ask for a supervisor and the arrangement is fine. He said it's done, the arrangement is cancelled (even though they took one payment already) and demanded the full balance immediately or my refusal to pay.
I'm completely confused as to what just happened with him. I had agreed to pay. Set up the payments and their own error killed the deal.
I have disputed the payment with my bank based on them pushing the payment earlier than agreed to. My bank also recommended that I close this account and open another ASAP, because they can easily submit these payments again without my autorization, now that they have my account information. I'm doing that today. Scary stuff. I hope to at least get that back and i will go to the original creditor and pay them.
Again, Kristin was fantastic on the phone, although her admitted error caused me to call and ask for it to be fixed. Whomever that man was that jumped on the phone sounds like a horrible person. I understand they hear excuses all day long and it's not an easy business, but when they have a resolution in place and they are getting paid... To end the deal like that? I will never understand how these people enjoy what they do. It has to take a certain type of person to do that job and I know, I could never do it.
I guess I would just recommend not dealing with this company as this was completely out of line (in my opinion). If you have a valid debt, try the original creditor if you are able to... At this point... I'm not sure how that works and if I can even do that, but I know I don't want to talk to that guy again!
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