creditors

[winneythepooh7]

OK this may be a dumb question but how do you get creditors off someone's back? I have a client who had a lapse for 2 months in her Medicaid coverage while she was hospitalized. Now she is getting tons of calls and bills from the collections companies. I am faxing some letters on her behalf to the collections companies. Will this work though? Anyone work for a collection agency? It's a pain in the butt to wait all day on the phone to speak with someone and my client is not capable to do this herself right now and it is causing her lots of stress and anxiety. Thanks

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by winneythepooh7
OK this may be a dumb question but how do you get creditors off someone's back? I have a client who had a lapse for 2 months in her Medicaid coverage while she was hospitalized. Now she is getting tons of calls and bills from the collections companies. I am faxing some letters on her behalf to the collections companies. Will this work though? Anyone work for a collection agency? It's a pain in the butt to wait all day on the phone to speak with someone and my client is not capable to do this herself right now and it is causing her lots of stress and anxiety. Thanks

Don't work in collections but...
she needs to speak with them and explain her situation so they know she is not just dodging them. I'm sure they will re-evaulate her payment plans and make arrangements.

[winneythepooh7]

Thanks Epitome Unfortunately my client is not capable of doing this task on her own at this point so I am trying to help her out as much as possible.

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by winneythepooh7
Thanks Epitome Unfortunately my client is not capable of doing this task on her own at this point so I am trying to help her out as much as possible.

Ooooh. Well then I would suggest calling in addition to the letters. They can make note of phone calls faster than letters.

[winneythepooh7]

Yah, I tried that unfortunately I was on hold forever and I don't have time for that with 15 other clients to see. I faxed letters over to all of the billing departments which I think can work too if they put them in the client's file. It just so aggravating that they can see that the client had a lapse in Medicaid but they bombard them with bills they know they won't be able to pay anyways. DUH!!!!!! It's a waste of trees if you ask me.

[TheEpitome1920]

okay my brain just returned and I re-read your original post.

I'm guessing she doesn't have any family members who can help out? Otherwise you have no choice but to just stick it out on the phone. I think the really prefer to actually talk to someone. Creditors don't care what is going on in your life as long as they get their money.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Are they calling your client at her home? I think that they are not allowed to call in NYC too frequently. There is some law about harassment. I forget the specifics, but you can look it up if you are really interested.

Since you cannot spend so much time on the phone, I think that faxing letters might help. The thing about collection agencies is that they just want the money. They are probably willing to re-negotiate terms and a payment plan. Tell them the situation and that your client is willing to rectify the situation when she is well. Most people are sympathetic, but they also want to get paid.

[cuaphi]

I've been sent to collections a couple of times. (I swear it's not my fault - once was an evil landlord who tried to charge me rent for the month after I moved out and the second was voicestream who charged me for calls after my phone was stolen. I thought we were still negotiating, they sent me to collections.)

Both times they let me settle my case for less than 2/3rds of the original amount owed. You just call them up and ask them what the minimum amount is to close that file, they throw out a number, you can bargain with them. I was really surprised how agreeable they are.