Why did I receive a refund for the same amount that I "supposedly" owed??

Question

Here are the details:

I'll admit, I was quite deliquent in paying my balance of 169 bucks for a few months. This balance was hanging over my head forever and late fees were accumulating, and my credit score was suffering because of that one frickin payment....

So, when I had the extra cash and paid off the $169 balance, I closed the account.

OK,

So, why, unexpectedly, does a check for 169 bucks show up in my mailbox today?? All this time, this balance has been hanging over me and eating my credit score, and now they send it back to me as a refund??? I don't get it.

Can someone explain this to me please???

Answer 1

It is hard to say. I would contact the company and find out why.

It may be a case where you did not pay the account in time and they charged it off as a bad debt. When they do this you no longer owe them the money so they sent it back to you. When they charge it off they usually sell your debt to a collection agency. So you still probably owe the money but to a different company. If this was the case the collection agency will be contacting you shortly.

When they do and you want to pay you might be able to negociate with them to remove the negative information and take less money. For this small amount they may not but it might be worth a try.

Answer 2

you should call them. Maybe dont accept partial payments who knows.
but if it was a their mistake, you might want to ask them to update your information with your credit file.