Sorry for the delay, but thanks, drunkbeerguy! I ended up paying them out, less than the original debt....Now I just have to keep harassing them to get it off my frickin' record..And on top of that, another collection agency came outta nowhere trying to collect on something from the same year that I do not recall happening. Have to check my records and ask them to send a letter out to me and such.

Are you unable to get your Mortgage based on this account you talk about being in collections?

If it isn't hampering you, the account is going to drop off your report next year, whether you pay or not.

If the bank is saying you need to pay off this account before they approve your mortgage, you can call the collection agency, offer a settlement of say 25% of the original debt (25% of $1075), remind them that they can not sue you because the debt is stats barr (over 2 years old) and that the item will disappear next year whether you pay them or not. The Collection agent knows this and it is a shot in the dark that they get even a nickle for this account.

If you need a quick settlement, you may need to pay more, but never more than the original debt of $1075.

If you can't get the mortgage, even with the account paid, hopefully you can wait until next year when the account disappears and your credit score takes a jump.

Greetings all,

I'm in the midst of trying to arrange for a mortgage and found there was an old account of mine in collections. It is 5 years old. Anyways, to try and clear things up, the wife and I did some detective work(since the account on the credit report HAD no phone number on it) and called up the collections agency that is handling my account. My wife was speaking to them as I was on the other line going through all the different toll-free numbers listed on the BBB for the company.

As my wife was speaking to them, I noted a few things:

1) They were discussing my debt with her without me having even given them permission to do so.
2) They were talking about the various credit cards I've applied to in the past while and how THEY were the reason why I couldn't get them, which is understandable, but what does that have to do with THIS debt and why are you telling somebody other than me about my personal credit report?
3) Finally, the amount shown on the credit report was $1075. The collections agency wants over $2600 due to 'interest'...Wtf?

In conclusion...What should I do?! They had faxed my work with a statement saying that the account will be PAID IN FULL by a certain date when neither me or my wife agreed to pay the $2600. We had requested a statement from them(as it was my understanding that I am entitled to a statement regarding my last payment) but they refuse to send one.

Also, what I find odd is that they want me to pay one way only: By using a 'Consolidated Cash Payment Form' through Scotiabank...This seems odd. I bank using TD Canada Trust...Not to mention, there seems to be a surcharge to even use this bloody form.

Again...What should I do?! I just want this to go away without costing me an arm and a leg.