I signed up for a datting program and they didnt do a good job so i told them i wasnt going to pay them cuz they didnt give me the service they said they would for the money.So now like 3 years later i get a bill in the mail and its a diffrent name and all,but they still have my info.They told me if i dont pay they will hand it over to a collection agency.Can they do that?is that illegal?do they have to right?do i have to pay this collection agency if they do come looking for me?
?2011-05-10T11:36:28Z
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If you signed a contract, which you probably did, yes they can come after you depending on the Statute of Limitations in you state. (Check www.bankrate.com for Statute info)
The collection agency will ad interest to the debt as well. If they take legal action they will also ad filing fees, services fees, court costs and any other amount allowed by law.
I would suggest filing a dispute with the collection agency immediately. Send them a letter CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT stating that you did not receive the services that you are being charged for. You will probably still get sued and have to go to court. Demand a response FROM THEIR CLIENT, you are entitled to that, not just a response from the agency. If the original client is out of business, then you may get off on this.
The short answer is "Yes", they can do this. When you signed up for the dating program, did you sign a contract? If it was online, did you click the box that said something to the extent "I agree to abide by the rules......etc"?
This contract can be sold and resold. Depending on the amount of the contract, you can always call them and offer to settle, usually for quite a bit less than what the contract was originally for.
If you choose to ignore it, depending on who has your contract, it could eventually be dropped. Of course this is after it showing on your credit report for years as an unpaid debt, which will seriously harm your score.
Since your problem is with the original company, you can call them and contest the charge. They might be willing to drop it.
If you settle, make sure that you get a signed letter / invoice once it is paid to show it closed.
If you received a service, but did not pay for it -- they can turn it over to a collection agency. The agency then will attempt to make the collection even though it is several years later. I assume you gave them your information and signature of some rtype so that they expected payment.
If they can legitimately turn you over to a collections agency, you should pay what you owe... it's not worth it to have collections on your credit report... But some companies threaten to turn you over to collections without actually doing it. And you have protection under federal regulations against collection agencies harassing you too, by the way! Best of luck to you!
You, by way of fact the determine, are a hundred% legally in charge for the bill. the series business enterprise is making use of the information (in spite of if incorrect) the wellness center presented to them. you should get it corrected.