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Resolved Question
How much notice is required before a bill is put in collections?
I received a letter in the mail today about a past-due bill of mine, from a collection agency. This is actually a bill in my name but I am waiting for the person who really caused the charges to pay me for it. I told myself if I got a notice that it would soon be put in collections that I would just pay it off with a credit card and pay off my card when this person paid me. I thought they were required to warn me in advance that if not paid this would be sent to a collection agency?

I will accept my ignorance if I am wrong, but I feel in my gut that I should have been warned ahead of time that it needed to be paid or it would be sent to an agency.

Thank you for any advice.
Posted 2 months ago
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Generally, once a bill is 60 days past due, the company or entity owed (like for a traffic ticket) is permitted to place it in the hands of a collection agency. Written notice is usually on the past due bill (check the fine print of previously received bill). No separate letter is required by law, in most states. Any separate letter is a courtesy extended by the company or entity owed, in case you missed the fine print. The big problem here is once a bill goes to collections, it is a blot on your credit record. It does not matter that you did not originally incur the bill or that the person who did is delinquent in paying you. And unless you had something IN WRITING from the person who originally charged the item or service, well, you've probably seen enough court shows to know the rest. Sorry.
Posted 1 month ago

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