So, it's Friday and I am sitting at my desk minding my own business, when I get a call from our favorite collection agency Ellis Crosby & Associates! Spoke with Amber Williams, who informed me that they were ready to download court papers to my county to have me served with warrants concerning bad check and "conversion" charges. She said the company name was "Cash Options," who I swear I have never heard of, and I told her so. I told her I would call her right back on my cell phone so I could speak freely....and called Summer Saladino at the FL Attorney General's office for advice, since I have already filed an affidavit regarding 2 other contacts I have had with this company. She said to mention to them that I was in contact with her concerning their company. So, I called Ms. Williams back and after she spoke her piece, I told her that I would require written validation of this debt before I could discuss any repayment arrangements with her, and of course she got all snotty and how we could just keep this simple, blah blah, but I stood my ground

I just kept my cool and kept informing her of my rights under fdcpa and she kept talking and saying nothing of substance, and finally she gave up and said she would transfer me to their "legal" department, and I said that would be great, thanks, in my most cheerful voice!

Got transferred to Robert Wood, who was much more reasonable....after I told him I was familiar with my rights under FDCPA and my contact with Summer, he said he will ensure that I receive written validation and I said I would call them back after I receive it. Further, since I am being told I owe $515, and of course do not have it right now, I asked if they would be willing to work out a payment arrangement if indeed this is a legitimate debt, and he said sure! SO....thanks, Summer, for the advice, and thank you to all for listening and advising...when I think back to how shaken up I was when they first contacted me in April, to how confidently I was able to deal with them today, I am humbled and grateful for you all and for this website. Blessings, Melissa