Why would a collection agency suddenly begin harassing you after accepting your regular payments for the past six months?

Answer 1

This is a bit complicated, so put your feelings aside for a moment and LISTEN. If your debt has gone to a collection agency, the original creditor decided not throw good money after bad. That means they decided not pay any more of their money to an hourly employee to get you to pay your bill. You proved to them it wasn't worth it because you didn't pay as agreed. Collection agencies typically work on a contingency basis - meaning they only get paid when they get YOU to pay. Many times collection agencies will allow "payment arrangements" for a period of time (usually a maximum of 6 months). The agency only has a limited period of time to achieve full resolution of the debt or the original creditor "pulls it back". So, you could make payments for six months - and then the creditor wants the debt satisfied, so the collection agency demands resolution (payment in full or a settlement) to avoid losing the account. The agency steps up the pressure to maximize their profitability and maintain or improve their relationship with their client. The worst of it is, most consumers don't understand this piece. After six months of payments you figure all is well. In some cases if the consumer doesn't resolve the balance by month six, the account can go to another agency where the nightmare starts all over or it goes where ever the original creditor decides. Perhaps nothing, pehaps court. Every situation is different. You can pick up your feelings now.