What is my next step?

It is definitely best to get all agreements in writing. Usually they can send you a settlement letter stating that they will accept $X as full satisfaction of the account as long as it is received in their office by xx/xx/xxxx. If they won't draft the letter for you, then send your own.

If you send your own letter, you will want them to sign the letter and send it back to you before you pay them. Lay out your agreement in writing, state your end of the agreement and when they will receive the payment, and leave a blank for them to sign.

Hi Hellokitty. It sounds like you are on the right track. As DebtCruncher said, you should get EVERYTHING in writing. Documentation is very important in trying to settle or make arrangements. If I may add on, please do not allow them to draft money from your checking/savings account, either. I know some other members have had problems with this due to the companies trying to draft more than the agreed upon amount. Plus, I learned the hard way to never, ever give out account info. So, if they are insisting on immediate access to the money, maybe you could get a prepaid visa and just keep re-loading it for them. Good luck. :-)

Thank you, DebtCruncher & eleroo.

It helped me a lot! :D