[krisakira]

so yes I have a debt collector after my money, for a hospital bill from before I got insurance, and I have been faithfully paying it every month $50 that is automatically taken out of my bank account each month.

Well this month, I look at my bank account and there are THREE payments withdrew from my account for different amounts, totaling like $83!!!!!

Wouldn't be a big deal if I weren't OUT OF MONEY......

By the time my last bill was paid, my account went under because of the extra money taken out.

GRRRRR.... not fair! Now I have fees totaling $45 for going under in my account!!

I would have had JUST enough money to pay everything if they had not taken so much money out of my account... that i did not authorize... yet its a debt collector, and i think they believe they can do whatever the hell they want once they get your account information

((((Kris)))) can you call them and remind them of your agreement and inquire as to why they triple charged you? If the answer is not acceptable and/or if they are uncooperative, perhaps you could report them to your state's attorney general and the FTC

[shezbut]

(((krisakira)))

I am very sorry ~ debt collectors can be awful sometimes! I definitely understand what it's like to be super-low on funds & bank fees are ridiculously high! I would advise you to call the debt collector and complain.

You have granted them permission to automatically withdraw $50/month from your account. You certainly deserve an explanation, apology, and perhaps a credit to your account for causing unnecessary bank fees. If they are unwilling to do that, than maybe you should contact government officials to come down on the debt collection company.

[krisakira]

I called the agency and they transferred me to the person who is in charge of my account, and he wasn't there so it went to voice mail so I left a message. No one has called me back...

[Perna]

The amount does not make sense to me and you should be in control through your bank; the debt collector cannot just take what amount they want (or, you should set up your bank account so they cannot). I would go to your bank and work through what was paid to whom, when, with them; it sounds like a bank error to me. If it turns out the debt collector did withdraw money improperly and you cannot get it resolved with them, I would write the hospital's attorney (just address it to "Such-and-such hospital Attorney's Office", and the hospital address) and explain your problem and see if they can help by reining in the debt collector.

[Nobodyandnothing]

It also could be that when they tried to do the withdrawal from your account there were insufficient funds, then they may have tried the next day and again insufficient funds. The creditor can charge for insufficient funds just like a bank can. You may have 2 insufficient fund charges and the $50 withdrawal as well.

[krisakira]

There were sufficient funds. There was not enough money left in my account for my vet bill which is also automatically withdrawn and was like 2 days later. That's what put my account under.

Originally Posted by Perna

The amount does not make sense to me and you should be in control through your bank; the debt collector cannot just take what amount they want (or, you should set up your bank account so they cannot). I would go to your bank and work through what was paid to whom, when, with them; it sounds like a bank error to me. If it turns out the debt collector did withdraw money improperly and you cannot get it resolved with them, I would write the hospital's attorney (just address it to "Such-and-such hospital Attorney's Office", and the hospital address) and explain your problem and see if they can help by reining in the debt collector.

That is a good idea. I would definitely bring it to your bank's attention. By law, the agency is only premitted to deduct the agreed upon amount. Therefore, if they did withdraw (additional) funds without permission, the bank should be notified, and a letter sent to the agency and the original company/firm's counsel.

Unfortunately, many of these agencies are not exactly on the up and up. That is why so many regs have popped up ... and keep popping up to protect the consumer.

[JLarissaDragon]

Most Banks allow you to make payments on line these days and will send an electronic check to whom ever you authorize. Instead of automatic deductions you are actually the one who initiates the check electronically. You can also designate the amount and even make it recurring.
The only organizations that I will let automatically debit my account are recurring payments on a home mortgage or a car payment. I would cancel their automatic deduction and take charge of it with online bill pay. Then make sure that the bank cancels the automatic deduction as well. Debt collectors are often shady companies that are even known to harass people into paying bills that they did not even owe.
You can also probably talk to your bank and explain the situation. Sometimes you can get the fees waved