Bank of America

Hi,
I've had a Bank of America (BOA) credit card for some time now, not sure exactly how long, atleast a few years though. I managed to rack up a pretty high debt on it, about $8,000. After my employer, Media Play, closed last year, I went through some difficult times and was not able to pay my minimum balance for several months. I finally got a new job late in the summer and, after receiving notices from BOA in the mail saying that my account had been closed and unless I contacted them stronger action would be taken, I set up payments to be deducted out of my checking account automatically. The operator at BOA had to do a pretty big share of number crunching, but he got my payments down to $144 per month. I believe I set up about 5 payments, the first in November. During those payments, I was contacted twice where I needed to follow up and redo my payment dates and amounts, in one instance paying $150 extra in February, because the operator who originally set up the payments goofed. Guessing from one of the operator's reactions, I'd say pretty big. ...and I might add, I was also on payments with my MBNA account also (BOA bought out MBNA). I had to pay an extra $80 toward that account because of the goof up. I was patient through the whole thing and agreed to pay any amount they asked. About a week ago I received a call from the offices of Fred J Hanna. I was informed that my account had been turned over to them, and unless I either paid the account off in full or settled it, it would go to court. In shock and confusion, a few days ago I called Bank of America to understand, after all of their mistakes, why they would do this to me. The gentlemen on the phone said that whoever was in charge of giving the accounts off to Mr. Hanna’s office decided that my payment of $144 per month was not adequate for an $8,000 account and that BOA needed to pursue a faster course of action. Now, I think this is totally ridiculous. BOA thinks they’re some big company that can push me around. I think I have grounds for legal action. BOA never notified me that this would happen. If $144 was too small, then why didn’t someone tell me in the first place? I know there's low cost legal aid in my county (Monroe county, NY). Even if I don’t have grounds, there is no way I can pay this off, or settle it. I live with my parents. I make $700 per month. If they garnish my salary, they wont get much more then the $144 they were before because I pay around $400 per month in other credit card bills. I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

thanks,
~ Steve