Being taken to collections. I don't think its my fault either!?

Question

1and1.com is taking me to collections over a 7$ domain that they claim they couldn't receive payment from even though my billing details are accurate.

So I got an email about 1 month ago saying they couldn't charge my account and I had to make sure my information was correct. Right away I went in and updated my billing information, etc. WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE OR CONFIRMATIONS I get 2 bills from a collection company stating that I owe them something like 30$ for a 7$ domain. I understand tacking on the extra/etc. But my point is 1and1 failed to follow up with my new billing information and instead took me directly to collections.

They have done this to me once before but I thought my billing may have been legitimitly outdated. I think the issue is I am using a VISA (non-credit card) and they dont accept visa or anything (I think they did when I went to sign up though ...) but I am still really upset that they didnt give me any warning of this other than "Update your account" which I did as soon as I got the email.

What should I do?

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

one thing you can do is to write to the collection company

requesting them to verify the debt in question, they are legally have to do this if requested they will ahve to research the debit

and let you know the outcome,

and when you send this letter send it cerriftied return recipet so you know they got it

Answer 2

Wow, you're getting some really bad advice!

Try to contact the original creditor and see if they will take payment.  If that doesn't work, send the collection agency a letter offering to pay for delete of the item on your credit file.  Offer them $10.  Ask that an authorized agent sign and return a copy of your letter indicating acceptance of your offer.  Put lines at the bottom for signature, date, and print name.  When you get the sign copy, send them a money order.  Do not give them direct access to your bank account, including your debit card.

We're talking small dollars here.  No need to demand validation.  You know you owe the $7.

FYI, the FDCPA does NOT say you can demand that collectors only contact you by mail.  If you request mail only contact, most creditor will comply but legally they do not have to.  The FDCPA says you can tell a collector to cease and desist all contact and they have to stop. But they are likely to sue you to collect the debt.

Answer 3

First of all, any one who would take you to court over $37 is an idiot!

Just to file charges on you would cost them a lot of time and money. They can write that off as a loss at the end of the year.

However, you can sue some one for any thing these days. You can file charges for a penny. THAT WOULD GET THROWN OUT RIGHT AWAY THOUGH! You would just get laughed at.

However, they can send it to a collection agency so they can get the money, but once you tell a THIRD party, not in house, collection agency to stop calling you, by law, they have to stop. Not that they will stop, but in that case, you can report them.

Forget about the myth that if you send them any thing at all, even a Penny every month for a long time, they can't call or sue you. They sure can!

How would you like it if some one owed you a lot of money and kept sending you a Penny a month for Five years! You would not like it, because they are not making an honest effort to pay it all off.

Google the Fair Debt Collectors Practices Act (FDCPA) and you will learn a lot of good info in there about what collection agencies can and can't do against you. Such as they can't call after a certain time, can't make threats, etc. It also says what you can do against them.

After Seven years, if you have not made a single payment, they have to write the whole debt off any way!