Question:
I sent in my final two payments totaling $400 to pay off my car. I had gotten behind, and they had been calling me about the debt. They continued calling even after I’d sent in the payments, and a guy finally told me they had changed their mailing address and I’d sent the money to the wrong place. Then, he got nasty and started demanding that I make the payment over the phone. He wouldn’t even give me the correct address. What can I do?
Jean

Answer:
Never, ever make any kind of transaction like that over the phone with a creditor. Call the bank right now, and put a stop payment on the check you sent to the wrong address.

Next, you need to call these people back and flat out ask for the correct address to send your payment. Chances are you won’t get the same guy, but if you do just hang up on him and call again. You’re trying to make things right, and all you need at this point is information. You don’t have to put up with being verbally abused by this jerk.

Take charge of the situation, Jean. If the phone jockeys continue to harass you, demand to speak to a supervisor and let him or her know that you’re willing to overnight a check to them, but there’s no way you’re giving someone whose been rude, obnoxious and unprofessional electronic access to your checking account!
- Dave