Refund Check From Unpaid Collector

by Caitlin
(Colorado)

My husband and I owe a credit card company approximately $2,600.00. We had paid the debt collector representing the credit card company previously October 2010-December 2010 and then our finances continued to nose dive and we couldn't continue paying them.

In February/March they garnished our bank account and after months of hearing nothing from them, they've just sent a hand written check for $57.84, saying it's a 'refund check.' At the bottom of the notice it states the usual 'This is an attempt to collect a debt,' etc. We won't cash it of course, but is this legal for them to do and are they trying to find out any new banking information?

We're just wondering what they're up to as we still owe and intend to pay the money.

Thank you for any answers you can give.

Comments for Refund Check From Unpaid Collector

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Sep 27, 2011
 Refund Check From Unpaid Collector
by: Debtcollectionanswers

Caitlin: I am really not sure what the collector is up to, but you are right to be very cautious, especially given that the check is handwritten. I recommend that you schedule an appointment with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps people resolve their debt collection problems. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here. An attorney can advise you about what to do about the check and how to proceed. I do not think that the collector has broken any laws by sending you the check, but the attorney can tell you for sure.

Nov 01, 2011
 Odd check
by: Anonymous

I remember reading about this sort of thing when I was researching how to protect myself against creditors years ago. One particular book mentioned that, yes, this is a way for them to find out current banking information. If you deposit it into an account, they then have some information about that account. I don't remember exactly what information they can get.

You are very very right to be cautious.

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