Unfortunately I’m dealing with this company now and they are terrible. Sharon Jackson gave me wrong information and when I asked to speak to a manager hung up on me as well as had the receptionist hang up on me too! My debt was only $240 dollars I paid over more than 40 days ago and still haven’t sent the credit report and basically said sorry it should’ve sent. Please be careful.
I'm writing this review not only to share my experience, but to protect consumers. I saw debt on my credit report, so I did A LOT of research (which I recommend you do BEFORE speaking with them). They record every single thing you say, so I DID NOT admit to any debt whatsoever over the phone or in writing until they sent me documentation that PROVED that the debt was mine. First, I sent a Request for Account Validation letter (I found samples on the internet) in writing and sent it using Certified Mail. I received valid proof and documentation along with MY RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER, and then and only then did I pursue speaking to a debt collector. If you plan on paying off your debt, then arrange to Pay in Full or do payments (I recommend paying in full to avoid dealing with them). Very important - I LOW BALLED them, and I recommend doing the same. If you owe 100 dollars and you offer 50, they are likely to charge you 85. However, if you owe 100 and you offer $15, they are more likely to charge you 45. They will ALWAYS make you pay between 30-40% more on the debt than what you offered. Their debt collectors work off of commission, and they do depend on the commission they earn from you, so do not allow them to intimidate or bully you into paying an unreasonable amount or on an unreasonable timeline. Simply hang up the phone, call the agency back, and ask to speak to a different debt collector who may charge you a lower amount or give you a more reasonable timeline. LIES Grant and Weber will tell you: "We don't buy debt" "I'm not sure" - in response to you catching them in their lies. What I learned is that unless your debt collector offers you a "Pay For Delete" (RESEARCH THIS) they CANNOT and WILL NOT do anything to improve your credit score. If they tell you that paying of your debts will improve your credit, then they should have no problem offering you a PAY FOR DELETE. If they tell you that they wont give you a Pay for Delete, then respectfully inform them that you are onto them. They will say ANYTHING to get you to pay, and they will use any method they can, often in the form of lies, so be very suspicious and read between the lines like I did with everything they say. I made sure that I received documentation stating the settled amount BEFORE I paid off my accounts, and if they offer a Pay for Delete upon request (which isn't likely) then tell them they have to send you a document stating a Pay for Delete BEFORE you pay ANYTHING. Lastly, I researched ways to send money to them. I recommend paying them a very small fraction of what you “owe” (they buy your debt for pennies on the dollar, so if you owe 100 dollars, they bought it for 15 dollars, they just want you to pay the full amount so they can make a profit) and going into your bank branch to wire the money to them so that you have documentation and proof from the bank that you wired the money. Lastly, and the most crucial and important step, is to immediately follow up and VERIFY that they received the funds, and tell them that you want them to fax or email you in writing PROOF that they received the funds immediately on the same day. This will cover your behind if they ever try to come back in the future and claim that you did not pay your debt. DO NOT let them make you feel like a fool or unusual for asking for verification that they received the money, as they tried to with me, because this really is the most important step. Good luck.
Sadly, I had two medical bills with this company for about 7 years (so unexpectedly)! However, I was lucky enough to have Sharon Jackson as my debt collector. I know. It's weird to say you had a good experience. Through my ups and downs that I had with my life, she continued to work with me, asking me what is it that I can pay and helping me through it all. I am so grateful that she was always kind and just help me get rid of the two bills I have. All and all, if you have her as your debt collector, you are in good hands. Always remember, if you're kind to others they will be kind to you. Thanks Sharon!