Hey personalfinance,
I'm looking for some advice on a university debt that's currently in collections. The university originally sent the debt to one agency after I hit dire times (unemployment) and tacked a $500 fee on top of the $1400 owed. I eventually landed a decent job and after a few months of saving I was willing/able to pay the debt I truly owe ($1400) with a large one sum payment. The agency refused to settle the account unless I paid the supposed $1900 in full.
I understand they are under no obligation to accept a settlement, so I did the only thing I could do to defend myself... I disputed the debt through credit karma. It was taken off of my credit report. The university then shipped the debt over to another company which I disputed again, this time through mail, the debt was again taken off my report for a second time. It has now been transferred to a third company and I'm at my wits end.
This is going on two years now and every time they transfer it, the debt renews as being a fresh debt on my report. These people are relentless... Should I give up and pay the full $1900 ($1400 + $500 "fee"), or should I continue to dispute and hope this ends eventually? The staff at this new company handling the debt are extremely rude and condescending, hiding under a very thin facade of "niceness." The representative handling my case vaguely questions my moral fiber every time I contest the $1900. Every call ends with me shaking with anger, so I'm very hesitant to give them the satisfaction of handling the debt and forking over the extra $500. At least I'm making them waste man-hours talking to me.
I've tried contacting the university directly but they claim that I need to go through the agency. I asked the representative if they bought the debt, but I was informed they are simply handling the account (not sure if this is true), so settlement seems impossible. I want to be responsible and pay the $1400 debt I owe but they are making it so awful. What should I do?
edit: format
Submitted September 11, 2017 at 09:38PM by culturenurse http://ift.tt/2h044iu
