Debt Problems

I have an intl hospital debt was referred for collections with a US agency. Should I borrow $ or make payments

I have 30 days to pay it all or it will be reported on my credit. Should I try to borrow the money from friends/family to pay it or pay what I can on a monthly basis to the hospital or the collections agency? I prefer to pay the hospital but they say I must work with the agency. I am not trying to dodge my obligations but rather was pursuing assistance (internationally) from a deadbeat dad. What a mess....just trying to clean it up the best way possible.

Public Comments

1. It depends on the amount of money involved, and your capability of re-payment. If the sum is high and there is no way you can pay it back over a short term, then the best thing to do is force them to take you to court. The collection agency may (or may not) go to court to try to get a judgment (it is an international debt and really not subject to US laws). If served papers you MUST respond within the stated time. In your statement be sure to include that you have attempted to work with the folks you owe, but they insist on this route. At this point the judge may throw it out as it is an international debt, and you have attempted to make payments. If it goes to court it all depends on the judge and his/her feelings about foreigners harassing US citizens. The worst that can happen: The collection agency gets judgment and you have to pay (make payments), but if the sum is large we must remember ALL interest stops at the point of judgment. You will have a record of judgment on your credit history, but ANY reasonable lender will listen to your story. The best that can happen: There are many steps in the process that anybody involved might decide that pursuit is pointless/illegal and drop the suit. Now, if the money amount is small, get the money and pay them out (INSIST on a receipt, these type of things can come back and haunt you).
2. Dispute the debt with the 3rd party collector. Tell them you want them to produce a copy of the paperwork showing where you authorized these charges. In most cases they don't have it. Then tell them if they cannot produce it and put it on your credit, you will sue under the FDCPA and report the to the FTC.