If something went to collections, can I pay the creditor directly or do I have to pay the collections agency?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If something went to collections, can I pay the creditor directly or do I have to pay the collections agency?
If a medical bill was turned over to a collection agency, can I pay the doctor’s office directly? If I do, does that collection agency have the right to post to my credit report? Wouldn’t they have to remove this as I paid my original debtor?
Asked on May 19, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You need to see if the collection agency has a right to collect on behalf of the creditor (ask for a validation of the debt in writing) as the creditor may have already given them the right to do so and is bound contractually itself. It would not hurt to contact the medical office directly to see. As for your credit report, that may already have been effected. Just keep on top of things and make that issue part of the bargain in paying it off. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.