How to Pay Credit Cards After They've Been Turned Over for Collection

When your credit card account has been turned over for collection you have several options for paying. Credit card companies have in-house collection departments that handle your past due account. These debt collectors are located right on the premises. They will send out letters and make phone calls in an effort to collect your past due debt. Most credit card companies forward their severely past due accounts to collection agencies when the in-house department is unable to collect the account. If your account is still in-house you pay as usual but when a collection agency is handling the account you must pay the agency.

Instructions

1

Determine your account's stage of collections. Call the credit card company and let them know you want to make a payment. If they are still handling your account they will take a payment from you. If your account has been turned over to a collection agency the representative will ask that you call the collection agency to make arrangements. An account is forwarded to a collection agency, from the in-house collection department, when there has not been a payment in 90 days, according to the website Business Know How.

2

Call the collection agency. The credit card representative will be able to give you the collection agency's phone number. When you reach the agency, confirm that it has all of your correct information, including balance owed.

3

Make payment arrangements. It does not matter if the in-house collection department or a collection agency is handling your account, you will still need to make payment arrangements. The in-house collection department will be easier to deal with than the collection agency. Make payment arrangements that don't put a strain on your finances. If you are experiencing a hardship such as loss of job, death in the family, serious illness, birth, or a reduction of income, let the credit card representative know. Many credit card companies have hardship programs that can assist you, by reducing your interest rate, lowering your payments, and waiving some of the fees that are assessed to the account.

4

Choose a method for paying. You can pay by phone. The collection representative, in-house or the collection agency, will take your bank account information, which includes the nine-digit routing number located at the bottom of your check on the left side. You will also need to give him your checking account number. Payment by debit card is acceptable as well. Provide the representative with your 16-digit debit card number along with the expiration date.

5

Make sure you receive a confirmation number to verify your payment was made. The payments will be taken from your checking account. Payments can also be mailed. Obtain the correct address from the representative. If a collection agency has your account, do not send payments to the address on your credit card statement.