It likely means they will "proceed" ... with further calls.

@drunkbeerguy: I don't think Bell sells their debts.

Metropolitan are some of the biggest clowns in the business..I told these jokers to go ahead and sue me and haven't heard back for over a year.don't be afraid of this outfit.tell them to get lost and your not paying a cent

Good point by O.C., I missed the last payment date you provided, the Statute of Limitations has passed and by law they are unable to sue you. The next conversation you have with them, and they mention anything with lawyers or proceeding.....tell them the statue of limitations has passed and you don't have to pay a dime if you choose not too. Then, I would tell them to provide a settlement amount if you are willing to pay something......negotiate down. I would still demand all the documentation, as you may find you owe less than you think due to added penalties and interest they have added, which you don't have to pay. Depending on how patient you are and how much of a hard ass you want to be, you could start at 10-20% of the amount they are asking for (minus penalties and interest), and maybe settle for under 50% to just get it done quickly".

Remember to get a settlement letter in writing before paying anything!!!

The name of the collection Agency is Metropolitan Credit

How much are they saying you owe?

Collection Agencies always say they are going to sue, it is just a scare tactic. They will even send you "Draft" court documents, hoping that you aren't smart enough, and are scared enough of a "formal" looking letter to ignore the fact that "Draft" is clearly printed on it.

Did you document any of your cancellation requests via letter or email?

Do you have any documentation?

Also, if the account is in the possession of a collection agency, they have all the information of the account as they have purchased your "debt" from Bell. The collection agency also has to produce all documentation of the account in their possession, however you need to request it in a registered letter.

First off, if you haven’t acknowledged this debt in writing, or made any payments on it since July/07, then you’re in a prime position to obtain the better deal (as the Statute of Limitations has passed).

It’s a fair guess that these vultures are simply trying to figure out if they are to toss you on the “exploitable” list or not?! Keep in mind, Christmas is coming and their office needs the bonus money so that they don’t have to pretend the fancy feast is actually pate on the plate at this year’s xmas party.

The fact that you can’t get Bell to communicate with you has me wondering if they may have sold the debt off to this outfit? Mind sharing the name of the organization who’s currently hounding you?

If it hasn’t been sold off, tell them that before you pay them anything, you are going to need:

1) a copy of the original agreement;

2) An itemized list of every payment you've made since the beginning of the contract. Note this means ALL payment amounts and the dates that each one was made

3) If there is any interested that has been added to the account? Then an itemized list and calculation of all interest and penalties claimed.

That said, stand your ground. You have a right to these things under the law, so make it absolutely clear you will not respond further until they are provided. Should either Bell or this agency fail to comply with your request, then I’ll suggest that you send their office down a letter formatted per guidelines found within The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to get the information you require - And yes, I’ve made a template available for situations of the sort.

First things first… We can always go and burn their lunch later.. ;-)

O.C.

In 2006, we made NUMEROUS attempts to cancel our satellite service with Bell Express Vu. They never cancelled the service. We spent HOURS trying to get this resolved with customer service at Bell. We got passed between Bell One Bill and Express Vu repeatedly, each claiming the other had to deal with the issue. We finally got angry and refused to pay until this was straightened out. They obviously chose the "easy" route and sent it to collections. I beleive this is the 2nd or 3rd agency now. We keep telling the collection agents we dispute the charges, provide us with the proof of the total. They tell us we have to contact Bell. Bell tells us they cannot help us, the account was sent to collection. We have not made any form of payment since July 2007.

A collection agency called this past Monday and informed us that if we don't pay them by 3 pm Tuesday, they were going to "proceed". When we asked the agent to explain what "proceed" was, they said "I'm not a lawyer, so I can't say". Their deadline has come and gone, and I noticed we have another call today (via call display as we were not at home)

What does proceed mean? I assume they are going to either recommend Bell sue, or can the collection agency actually sue us?? We would be willing to pay what we feel we owe, which is about $600 less than what they are saying we owe.