American Agencies either has some very large clerical errors or they are deceptive in the way they do business! My grandfather opened an account with SBC for me when in 1997. I was a irresponsible 18 year old and didnt pay the bill.
I ran my credit report last week to apply for an Apartment and what pops up American Agencies and Bay Area Credit Services. Now you need to understand that both these companies are trying to collect on the same bill.
So... I call BACS and speak with a rep, who has to say that the collection was taken back by SBC as of 1/27/04. Which was the day that BACS cancelled the account, mind you they have had the account since 2002. I then proceed to call sbc and attempt to partially pay on the debt which is $287.59 according to the rep I was speaking with. As they would not take partial payment only full I said I will call them back when I can pay in full, and I then asked what AA has to do with this collection. She proceeded to tell me that AA had originally picked up the collection in 2000 but it was cancelled with them in 2002.
From there it was given to BACS. Since it now has been cancelled with BACS, SBC has stated to me that as of 1/24/04 the account in question is being processed to go back to AA.
I then decided to call AA despite the horrifying stories I have read! I spoke with a rep which she told me that the bill was from 2000 and was accrueing interest and is now 578.19. Mind you I had already spoken with BACS and SBC on this matter and they had both told me the cancellation dates of 1/27/04. The date today is 2/9/04. I then asked the women if she could explain the percentage rate formula on how they add interest to your collection. 1.5% Daily, and 18% yearly. Now I can't fathom how there was such an error that AA had not taken this off there books and is still trying to collect a debt that is no longer theirs! Unfortunately it will be theres again.
What it comes down to is AA is trying to collect on a debt they had since 2000 and was cancelled by SBC and given to BACS in 2002. The debt should be dropped in there books. SBC told me the balance of 287.59 is being sent to AA for collections. I am still in the process of working this one out with SBC, BACS, and AA so here is some advice! If you have any collections with AA, you need to research. You might just find the same situation if you look hard enough.
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