That is ridiculous. However, as a lawyer who has done some plaintiff's collections work, I can tell you that at least 80% of these people REALLY ARE deadbeats of the worst kind. (My worst case ... my client spent 2 years pursuing a simple $1000 unpaid consumer bill before he hired me...and then saw the guy driving a brand new Lexis around town.) This does not excuse the behavior of the collection agencies, but it does explain why they are so cynical and impatient.
Whirr, click, click, whirr...
Maybe you should contact them and attempt to work out a payment plan. I think 38 months would be appropriate.
I just threw away a scam letter.
Some one I never heard of sent me a letter offering to "Discount" an alleged debt by half if I would pay it in the next 24 hours.
What the alleged debt was for, where it originated, when I supposedly incurred it, NONE of those things were listed. But if I would just send $2,100 it would be settled!
I have legitimate debts like anyone else, but there is NO ONE that I owe that sort of money.
Too many people are terrified of even the slightest ding on their credit, they pay any demand immediately, often not making any real effort to determine if the claimed debt is legitimate.
The criminals now rule the U.S., and the sleazy "credit agencies" are necessary to them.
MANY of these vampires start out by buying small legitimate debt's at a steep discount.
Then they charge incredible "interest and penalties" to jack the original debt out of site, $125.00 easily becomes $1,500.00 in a few months, THEN they begin collection efforts in ernest.
They are organized crime, nothing less, F'em!
I have to wonder how much of these vampires proceeds go to fund terrorist? They had to have some substantial capitol to start with, and the terrorist always seem to have plenty of cash for their endeavors.