As a rule: No. When I've turned someone into Collection, the collection agency gives me very clear instructions that I am NOT to accept any payments and to direct the debtor to them. The collection company makes their money by collecting from you and usually paying the company 50% of what was collected. But, it wouldn't hurt to call the original person/company to see what they have to say.

This debt is at a bank...correct? Banks work different from credit card companies... they sometimes are glad for you to come in and pay the negative balance and hopefully deposit money in their bank... I use to work for different banks, off and on for 10 years.

Most times no, but you can try to contact the company and work out a payment arrangement, but really the collection agency will usually do the same thing; try to use scare tactics and court to get you to pay in full, then if you can't or won't they will work out a payment arrangement with you, though when working through the collection agency you cannot usually get rid of interest accrued if it is a debt like a car loan or credit card debt. Just contact the company, try to work out something and see what happens, then if there's nothing you can do then work through the collection agency.

You can still pay to the original company you owed, that's for sure, I did it once. Company will accept the money, they will never return it. So, the debt gets covered. When it happens, collection ppl get really, really pissed off, cause they lose their commission in this case. Just make sure to keep all pay stabs for the amount you paid off, and next time collection agency calls, you can show them a finger, wrapped in your payment confirmation.

No. The company sold your debt to the collections agency. They got their money, now you have to deal with Collections.

It all depends upon just WHo the debt is with origionally ....

Call the origional company with who you had the debt and see if something can be worked out .... it helps IF this is done BEFORE you allow it to get to colllections ; BUT evn then, you can try ....

No :)

Pay the collection agency. Otherwise they never get their acts together and the agency will keep calling forever. There are companies that will negotiate for you, fyi. If you owe a bundle and can't pay it off, try a debt negotiator. NOT a consoliator. They are ripoffs. I used to help in this field and the people usually paid back about 60 percent of the actual fee. This saved a lot of people's financial lives.