American Express/Jaffe & Asher
Date: Tue, 04/24/2012 - 10:59
I have 2 accts-Optimum where I pay a min monthy payment and aTraditional Green Card where i pay full bal. I have been a reg cardholder fo 20 yrs and have always paid on time.Recent recession hit me hard-lost job & I am trying now to recover and get all bills paid as best I can.They combined these 2 accts and say I owe over $8000-which I dont have.I can pay small mo.payments on each.How do I respond to them or negotiate for payment plan i can handle?
The year before last I was sued by Amex. Before they sued me, my
The year before last I was sued by Amex. Before they sued me, my account went through two different collection attorneys offices before they placed it with an attorney licensed in my state. Is the account still owned by Amex? How late are your payments on this card and have you determined whether or not this attorney is licensed to practice law in your state? Amex can't sue you until they place your account with an attorney licensed in your state. How much do you owe on this account?
I'd suggest you try settling the account with the collectors. DO
I'd suggest you try settling the account with the collectors. DO NOT ask them if they are licensed in your state or for their license number, they are not legally obligated to tell you. How long has it been since you made the last payment on these cards?
American Express/Jaffe&Asher
Last payments made were:
On the Optima-monthly payment of $104 on 3/23/12
On the Green Tradit a payment of $1122 on 1/23/12
I called Amex and they do not have my account on their files as it has been handed over to J&A.
Amex still owns the account if it has only been a month since yo
Amex still owns the account if it has only been a month since your last payment. They have hired Jaffe and Asher to collect. A cursory check shows they are licensed in NY and NJ and have been sued for serving lawsuits improperly, among other things. Were your payments timely before that? You don't have to ask these collection attorneys if they are licensed in your state. It is easy to look it up on your own. I really doubt they are suing you this early. It took a year before I heard from an attorney in my state, but I agree with the other poster that you should try and settle. If you can come up with 50% of the total balances in the next couple of months, that may be a good option.
Collector
There is a simple solution here. It is so simple, it can boggle the mind: call the law frim or collection agency and tell the truth. They have already probably seen your credit bureau report and verified any assets because a lot of that is public record anyway.
Follow their instructions, or file for bankruptcy. There is no other way. You have already failed your contractual obligation.
This is not a judgmental answer, this is reality.