J.C. Christensen and Associates
by Lindsey
(Des Moines, IA)
I have a medical bill for $1,300 that was sent to J.C. Christensen. I know that I owe this debt and want to pay it. I called them and said I would like to set up a payment plan. She said my only option was to pay it in full. I said I am not able to do that. I can pay $100/month. She said she had my credit report in front of her and that I have a credit card that will take care of the balance. I said I don't have any open credit cards. She said it is a Wells Fargo Credit Card and I payed a $100 payment on it last month. I said that is for a furniture store and she said no it isn't it is a wells fargo credit card. I said I have the card in front of me and it says on the back that this is issued by wells fargo.
Then she said, We are not a financing company. You owe us money and need to pay it. You have the means to pay it and need to pay the full amount today. I said how do I have the means to pay it? She said you need to borrow the money from your bank, take out a credit card or find another way to pay. I said that isn't a possibility. I am willing to pay you $100/month towards my bill.
She said the reason you were sent to our company was because you wouldn't pay your hospital bill. I said I was in the hospital, sick and not working.
My priority was to pay my rent so I didn't get evicted from my apartment. Then she said, so you're refusing to pay your debt to us? I said no I am trying to work out a payment plan and I am not refusing to pay. She said ok then how would you like to take care of the full balance? I told her again that I could not do that. She said then you are refusing to pay and I am going to note that on your account. I said if not paying the full amount means I refuse to pay, then yeah I guess I refuse to pay.
Now I am thinking are they going to try to get a court order against me? I don't want to open a credit card, but in the long run would that be my best option? I would obviously pay more in interest, but if it means they won't take me to court or put a bad mark on my credit report, then it would be worth it. I know I have read where they try to bully you into doing things like borrowing money to pay it. Can you give me any advice about what their next steps will be?
Thanks!
Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com:
Lindsey - "Refusal to pay" is a bogus threat that means nothing. We recommend you listen to this link where we discuss refusal to pay and other debt collection tactics.
As to what they will do next, they will either a. try to continue collecting b. put your debt at the bottom of the pile to try again later c. sell your debt to another collection agency or d. sue you. It's hard to say exactly what will come next.
But remember many collection agencies will settle debts for less than the full balance. That may be a good way to get this behind you. Read our page about how to settle collection accounts for less than you owe.