I owe $700 to American Express, but I think the account has been sold to a debt collector-who do I pay?

Question

Nationwide Credit wants the same amount, they are representing them, I think-I can still access my American Express account online-who do I pay to resolve this matter? Would it make sense to just pay American Express directly?

Answer 1

Since I work for American Express customer service, allow me to answer: if you called in to customer service, my response would be "unfortunately sir, American Express is no longer handling your account and therefore please call the collection agency @ ..." and then proceed to give you the phone number. Other responders have been correct - pay the collection agency.

The other benefit of doing so, is that American Express is a pain in the butt if you can only pay your balance partially - they (we) will charge interest until payment is received in full. The Collection Agency, on the other hand, may be willing to negotiate and give you a break for some of the debt. Give them a call and check - there is no harm in it - the worst they can say is "no" and you are no worse off.

Answer 2

When the original creditor has sent your account to a collection agency .
Its always best to pay the collection agency . ( unless there is serious diff in the amount owed ) 99% of the time the creditor has leased the accont to them for collection .

So

You will want to get the rep/agent you have spoken with ,the name of the creditor they are collecting for , the date the account was transfered to them and a confirmation number if possible.

Then after its paid contact the original creditor 2-3 weeks later to confirm account satisfied and pulled back from the agency .

The danger in paying the original creditor is the collection agency will may not be notified for weeks months that they have payment - results in collection letters phone calls and possible reporting to Credit Bureau

Answer 3

First of all do you have all of the money, how long has it been and is the account absolutly closed?

Number one is CALL amex directly. Often they have no sold the debt but are only outsourcing collections. The collections people generally know nothing and want the whole amount. Either way AMEX would rather you just pay them and they might reopen your account. If you don't have it all they will work with you. And even if you do it will look better on your credit report that you paid the issuer, not the collections people.

Make sure that whoever you pay get the case number and the name of the person who handled your stuff. That way if you have issues later or with your credit report you can fix it later. But above all just call AMEX.

Answer 4

If they've already put your account into collections, I would pay the debt collection agency. Why beat around the bush, just take care of it and preserve what you can for your credit rating.
American Express may very well likely tell you they are no longer responsible, since they sold your debt to a collection agency.

Answer 5

Call American Express.

Answer 6

I just had this same problem I owed Washington Mutual $800 dollars and when I tried to pay ti on the web it said that I had to call them. Well i called and paid it off threw them evven after they had given it it the collection agency. I recently have been getting calls from the collection agency trying to get money from me and when I told them I had already paid it off the told me that I had to send in my settlement statement wich I did not have. So I called wamu and they could not help me either because I no longer had an account with them. I called the collection company back and let them know what wamu had said and they cleared it up for me. So I am ok now. You can go either way with this but I like to pay it directly to the credit card company that way I know that they get it and it is cleared from your credit faster.

Cristy

Answer 7

To ensure that the matter is handled properly, pay the agency. They will close the account so that nothing negative will happen(credit being affected, getting sued, etc.) also the agency knows who to notify at Amex to have this cleared up. Deal with the agency.

Answer 8

About 10 yrs ago I had a AMEX Platinum Business Card and ran up a balance of $4,000 and was unable to pay it off. The card was canceled and it went to collections but has been lost in time.

I would like to pay it off and reestablish with AMEX but when I called AMEX they told me I needed to talk to a collections agency.

If I pay off the old collections account can I get back on with AMEX or am I blacklisted for life?

Answer 9

the collection agency

Answer 10

Call Amer. Exp. and see what they say.