Settlement Offer by phone or mail ?????????????????????????

I would personally send a letter then follow it up with a telephone call when and if you get a response. Make sure you send it certified return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery.

You can negotiate a settlement faster over the phone . However get the CA to send to a letter confirming it...often they will fax it to you.

As long as you can deal with verbal harassment and you can stand firm on what you are willing to settle at it is much easier to negotiate by phone. You can also mix and match by offering a number over the phone and following it up with a letter. Do not spend a lot of time on the phone. Give them 5-10 minutes and then if you haven't agreed hang up and try them back in a couple weeks. The only time you should consider working faster is if you are going to court and you know the debt is legit otherwise time is on your side and you do not need to rush a settlement offer. Also make sure you do not pay anything until the CA has sent an agreement in writing.

Like Dollars said, you can negotiate the amount over the phone. But don't pay them until you have that amount in writing as well.

Anytime I've ever settled, I've reached the amount over phone and then ask them to fax me a confirmation on company letterhead. When I have it in writing, then I've called back and paid.

Some argue not to even make payments over the phone. Personally, I've never had a problem making the payment by giving them my checking info over the phone; they've never taken more than I agreed to.

Check by phone or ACH is one of those deals where a few rotten apples have tainted the entire bunch. Basically some risk is attached meaning if you get a bad CA then they might take more than they were suppose to or cash it before they were suppose to. The same thing applies to personal checks. I generally recommend certified checks but I have settled a number of my own personal debt with a personal check without any problems. It has been a few years now so I don't foresee anything arising. It really comes down to if you want to take the risk and if you trust the CA not to go back on their agreement. If it is a really slimy CA then you definitely want to use certified check or money order.

Why can't take just make it simple and let us pay with a money order.

I gave Asset Acceptant two post dated check back in April and they both cleared without any problems.

I paid them before I found this website and now I am worried to give out my information.

I just paid off a Macy's account last week and gave them a check. I called Macy's to make sure that the CA worked directly with them and she ensure me that they do.

But i am worried about the others that i am trying to settle on my own.....

A while back I did the 'post-dated check' thing, too. The BAD part was the company din't wait to put the check in on the date written on it. They put it in right away. Gosh.....did tht mess up my bank account. I don't trust ANY company that asked for a post dated check, anymore.

If they want to get paid then they will take a money order, cashiers check or certified bank check otherwise tell them to call you back when they are ready to get paid. They certainly don't need post dated checks and it is very risky to give them those. It is somewhat risky to give them a personal check or an automatic payment also.

Good Morning people :)

I just checked my bank account and the post dated check i gave to OMNI (macy's CA ) just cleared and it was the date the we agreed on.

Althought i have 5 more accounts to go, i feel a little less stress.

Thanks Dollarand Since, i will be calling some more CA next week and i would give them some of your "lines"...i will keep you guys updated.

Grats on the settlement. Keep at it and it won't be long before the rest are gone.

Sometime ago...........I DID settle a small debt. The company said they "din't accept money orders or certified checks." Well..........I basically said the only thing I will do, (if they wanted their money THAT bad..) is take a money order. I asked if they would contact me when they received it. I din't send it certified, however. I haven't heard anything from them since. So...........I REALLY don't know if they put the payment toward my account or not.

I'm working with Omni too and just sent them a DV letter and told them to only contact me via mail - no phone calls. If/when they validate the debt I plan to call them to settle. This is a Macys acct that just charged off. What % were you able to get from them?

I would wait until Macy's sends you some kind of letter back...a response for your DV letter. they have 30 days, from the date that you sent the letter, to respond.

I just agreed a settlement over the phone to pay at a later date. They have agreed to send a settlement letter. A week ago they said they sent it already in my email, but I don't have it. I called back left a message, I never got a call back. I called again, the person now says they will send the settlement letter once the receive a letter stating I authorize the agency to send a settlement letter to me. I said to the person if I should put the amount in the letter, she told me don't put it. I don't understand. I don't know what is going on. A week ago they said they already sent it. Can anyone advice how I can make sure I get the settlement letter before they post the check payment next month?