Yesterday I received a notice from a collections agency for an unpaid bill which I know I had paid months earlier.
I diligently called the number and after much fussing around I said “I can prove I paid the bill, I have the credit card statement that shows the amount was paid and the date it was paid on.”
“You would need to send us a copy of that statement.” said the collections “customer” service representive at the collections agency.
“Okaayyyy,” I said exasperated, “I will have to download it from my credit card’s website, print it out, redact other information, and…”
“We only accept unaltered, original documentation.” interjected the CSR before I could finish.
“Well I’m not going to contact my credit card company and have them mail me a physical copy of my statement and then mail you that statement with all the other information on it.” I countered.
“We’ll take it as a fax.” added the CSR.
“You absolutely require the original documentation?” I asked.
“Yes.” said the CSR.
“But you’re willing to let me fax it to you?”
“We’re not set up to handle physical mail.” clarified the CSR.
“I did some research on your company whilst we’re having this conversation,” I said, “it appears that your company is bogus and there are a number of investigations against various company directors.”
The telephone line went mysteriously dead.
And I never heard from that “collections agency” ever again.