When a debt collection agency comes after you for an outstanding credit card or personal loan account, chances are good the company wants the entire balance plus the interest that has accrued over several months or years.
Chances are also good that you cannot afford to pay off the entire amount of the delinquent consumer debt. How do you handle the anxiety caused by receiving constant phone calls from a third party debt collector such as Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley?
You try to settle the outstanding consumer debt for less than what you owe.
It is a timeless negotiation between consumers and bill collectors. You want to pay a little as possible and Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley is trying to get you to pay much more than the amount of the original debt.
The key to having the legal pendulum swing in your favor is to work with a licensed consumer protection lawyer who knows exactly when to send a debt settlement letter. Your lawyer will also send the settlement letter after a third party debt collector has made the initial offer.
Hire a Licensed Consumer Protection Lawyer
How you word a debt settlement letter goes a long way in determining whether a bill collector like Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley will accept the proposed terms.
By hiring a licensed consumer protection lawyer, you ensure the debt settlement letter you send to Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley contains all of the right legal language. Debt settlement letters that include inflammatory language typically prompt third party debt collectors to walk away from the negotiating table.
Your lawyer will also protect the rights mandated by the landmark Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Passed by the United States Congress in 1977, the FDCPA requires bill collectors to identify themselves and inform consumers they have 30 days to dispute the legality of an alleged outstanding debt.
Under the FDCPA, Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley is not allowed to harass you or your family, as well as implement deceptive techniques such as claiming you have a warrant out for your arrest because of a delinquent credit card or personal loan account.
Template for a Debt Settlement Letter
The key to writing an effective debt settlement letter relies on two elements: Proposing a reasonable debt settlement amount and presenting a payment method that is acceptable to Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley.
Here is an example of a debt settlement letter:
To whom it may concern:
On December 14, 2018, I received a letter from your company in regards to an outstanding personal loan balance I have with “Insert Original Creditor.” Your letter requested payment of $5276 to resolve the issue. I am writing to inform you I cannot pay the entire amount owed on the personal loan.
My FDCPA lawyer has advised me to propose a debt settlement of $3,000, which I will send your debt collection agency in a lump sum payment. If you agree to the proposed $3,000 settlement, please sign and date this letter and return it to me for confirmation.
Sincerely,
Your name
Date
Do not send Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley any money until the third party debt collector returns the signed and dated debt settlement letter.
Speak with an experienced consumer protection lawyer to learn more about how to write a debt settlement letter that leads to an agreement between you and Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Collection Bureau of Hudson Valley or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.