How to Pay a Collection Agency by Check

When creditors call and mail you in attempts to collect debts, you want to make good on the money you owe. Collection agencies typically make it easy for you to make payments. You can pay a collection by check over the phone or by mail; just gather some contact information from the collection agency and understand what information the agency needs.

Instructions

By Phone

1

Call the number found on the collection agency letter and speak to a representative.

2

Tell the representative your name, address and phone number, and find out how much you owe on your account.

3

Indicate to the representative that you would like to pay for the debt using a check over the phone.

4

Provide the representative with the check number, routing number and account number from your check. The check number is found in the upper-right corner of your check. The routing and account numbers are found on the MICR line on the bottom of your check, with the routing number being nine digits and listed before your account number.

5

Confirm with the representative that you are authorizing the payment for the amount due to the collection agency against your checking account.

By Mail

6

Call the collection agency at the phone number listed on the letter you received from the organization. Speak to a customer service representative.

7

Provide the representative with your name, address and phone number, so she may access your account. Ask for the amount that you owe, your account number with the collection agency and an address to which you may mail a check. Write down this information.

8

Write a check for the amount you owe to the collection agency. Make the check out to the collection agency, write your account number with the collection agency on the "Memo" line, and sign the check.

9

Draft a brief letter to the collection agency, indicating that the check is to be used toward your account and that you are paying off your debt to the organization. Indicate your account number with the collection agency in this letter.

10

Address an envelope with a stamp to the collection agency at the address the representative provided you to mail your payment. Place your letter to the agency and the check in the envelope, seal the letter, and drop it in the nearest mailbox.