Should I pay my credit card company or the collections agency?

Question

I owe 1700 and was wondering who should I pay? I want to pay the credit card company because I don't want to deal with the collection agency. I want to stay out of collection agencies. Is that ok if I do that?

Answer 1

Your credit card company probably sold your debt to the collection agency. Before you start paying anyone off, make sure it is a legit company and that it is definitely going towards what you owe, that it will eventually show on your credit report as paid.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Once the debt is sold to a collector, the original creditor is now out of the picture.  They can not legally take payment.

You will have to learn how to deal with collectors, so get educated before  you offer them any payment.

One mistake with dealing with them and you could owe way more than 1700

Check out this free message board and read read read!

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php

Answer 3

you have to pay the collection company since they "bought" your acccount

(in other the collection ageny paid foir your debit  with the company (so even if you send the company you owe money too

direclty they will refuse it) as they no longer own the debt (the account)

I too have tried to pay the company direct and they told I couldnt do it since it was turned over to collections..

Answer 4

No matter who you pay negotiate with them to clear your credit report of any negative information from them as part of your agreement to pay and get it in writing first because after you pay you have no more leverage.

Answer 5

If your bill has been turned over to a collection agency, I don't think you can pay the actual company directly.  It's worth a shot though.

Answer 6

send a letter to the collection agency and let them know that you chose to deal with your original creditor to settle your debt. then just start making payments to the credit card company.

i feel it is better to stay away from collection agencies as well.