Of all collection agencies, I'd advise anyone dealing with these people to not trust a single thing you are told.
Yes, if a valid debt pay them when you can, but put no faith into any dealings with them.
My own experience is a small debt of less than $400. However, we have experienced numerous health issues and over $10,000 in total medical debts and multiple hardship withdraws from a 401k, but always just a tad short of paying everyone.
State collection service on EVERY time I contacted them when I had some money to pay off some of our debts has made statements insisting that they agreed to remove derogatory info from my credit reports. However, they refused to send anything in writing. Since I can only pay so many people, those who sent it in writing (which would be ALL I dealt with from other agencies) obviously get paid first. They have even asked why I wanted it in writing because they would have no reason to lie.
Well, I'm still short of being able to pay ALL my medical debts, but came close enough to pay everyone else today, or very reasonable payments for the remainder. I called State Collection Service AGAIN, this morning and told the same thing... They would remove everything from my credit file. They reminded me they did not HAVE to, and I agreed, other than I am OBVIOUSLY going to pay those that agreed first.
On two previous calls I was also told that even though they will send NOTHING in writing to back up anything they are offering to settle they were fine with being recorded.
Tonight I called again, just a FEW hours after again being told to trust them, all was agreed, but not in writing. Once told they were being recorded the ENTIRE line changed. Somehow, in just a few hours, it all changed.
They will still get paid one day, I pay my debts, but those hospitals, Doctors, Radiology, etc that chose a more reputable agency have been, and will continue to be, paid first. Of all these medical bills I have otherwise been ENTIRELY impressed with the understanding of all but this company.
I'd advise anyone else in a jam to as well NOT trust anything they tell you on the phone. Get it in writing (they will refuse), get their permission to record (the story will change FAST), or pay those that are really trying to help you as well first.
Nothing wrong with collecting a debt, but obvious lies over a long period that only finally changes to the truth once being recorded is low. I'd think any business using them would want them to be more like the other 8 agencies I've dealt with who are now finally all paid, and were very friendly. They will still get paid, but they will return to the bottom of the list and with at least one more surgery to go that list will grow yet again.
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