Getting calls from the Law Office of Richard Clark for a debt...question?
Date: Wed, 03/24/2010 - 17:22
A few years ago I had a job and I purchased a laptop on credit. I made several payments but then became disabled and unable to work. I applied and got approved for Social Security Disability, and now get a meager $619 check per month. I stopped paying the laptop bill because obviously I couldn't afford it.
Today someone from the Law Office of Richard Clark contacted me saying my debt of $1700 had been given to them and they wanted to know if I'd settle voluntarily with payments of $98 a month for 18 months. I said I needed to think about it, and they said they'd call back tomorrow.
What worries me is when I asked how I could make the payments, the woman said it was "pay by phone" and they'd just deduct it from my checking account every month. I don't like the idea of anyone having access to my account like that.
I am thinking of not calling them back and ignoring their further attempts to contact me. But I am worried they may try to sue me. I heard that even if they do sue, they cannot garnish my disability income anyway, so it doesn't matter. But can they do anything else? And how should I proceed here?
Today someone from the Law Office of Richard Clark contacted me saying my debt of $1700 had been given to them and they wanted to know if I'd settle voluntarily with payments of $98 a month for 18 months. I said I needed to think about it, and they said they'd call back tomorrow.
What worries me is when I asked how I could make the payments, the woman said it was "pay by phone" and they'd just deduct it from my checking account every month. I don't like the idea of anyone having access to my account like that.
I am thinking of not calling them back and ignoring their further attempts to contact me. But I am worried they may try to sue me. I heard that even if they do sue, they cannot garnish my disability income anyway, so it doesn't matter. But can they do anything else? And how should I proceed here?
Yeah, it was right not to agree to a payment over the phone. How
Yeah, it was right not to agree to a payment over the phone. However, I'd suggest you to send a debt validation letter to them to confirm that they are the now rightful owner of the debt and the amount they are asking is legitimate.
Quote:
I am thinking of not calling them back and ignoring their further attempts to contact me. But I am worried they may try to sue me. I heard that even if they do sue, they cannot garnish my disability income anyway, so it doesn't matter. But can they do anything else? And how should I proceed here? |
The collection agency may sue you and successfully get a lien against your property if you own any and if the state laws permit. But otherwise, they can't do much since social security income is judgement proof.
