Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington
Collection Agency Practices
You have been paying on a hospital bill. You end up in hospital again. In the meantime, you miss making payment and 30 days from my last payment I receive a summons. I arrange to borrow the money I owe, but was told that I had to pay an extra $500, Is this legal?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Collection Agency Practices
What is the extra $500 for? They cannot tack on an additional $500 on a whim, and you have no contractual relationship with a third-party collector that enables them to charge you $500 for anything.
Are you sure it was a summons? Was there a complaint with it? Did it arrive in the mail, or was it delivered by a person?
You have 20 days to respond to a lawsuit.
If it is NOT a lawsuit, call the Attorney General and report the collector for violating the federal fair credit collection practices act.
But be safe - have an attorney look at what you received and be sure you aren't ignoring legal service of process.
Hope this helps, Elizabeth Powell
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
