I have learned what credit card folks do. I've been patiently PICKING UP their calls, explaining my situation (often, they won't SHUT UP while I am explaining my situation.)
Once I finally do, they will either offer me a payment plan that is not as good as the one I have. I patiently explain that, and they say skeery stuff even though I KNOW PERFECTLY well the credit card is going to accept their negotiation. I mean, I'm almost 100% on that. Probably more like 110%. Then, they threaten me that my offer is a "one time offer," when I say, "Well, if you don't accept the payment plan of a verified, authenticated credit bureau that is non profit and also FUNDED in part by the credit card companies, and their offer is better." LOL I say if I am in fact wrong, I will call back and negotiate. They are all like, "Well, I can make no promises."
I usually finish with "Me either, you or I could DIE tomorrow and the situation would be moot, but okay, I hear you, could you PLEASE notify my issuing bank, although frankly they'll probably hear from the bureo before you get around to it." (I mean, come on it's a collections department.)
Or, they will beg me to pay "Just $25 dollars" to make myself more up to date. At which point I know they are going to get a commission. So, I ask for their supervisor, and again, patiently explain my situation to the supervisor, and ask BOTH persons to let my issuing credit card know. I have also learned they can do all this by mail if I ask. LOL. So, I ask. Then, the supervisor tells me all the good reasons why I should pay $25 dollars except she or he offers NO actual rationale that makes sense, and when I ask how it will positively impact my credit score, they have no idea. They offer to send me to a "bureau" to discuss it no thanks I already have one and they DID discuss it, and I reply, "I'm sorry I can't pay $25 at this time but you will be paid SOON and seriously I apologize I AM trying to take care of this," and then ask to be put on the mailing list.
LOL, this has taught me many things. Patience, tolerance and kindness. Seriously I have been rude to none of them.
The futility of updating ANY of them at this point.
Hell is clearly, being a collections agent, at least by PHONE. I felt so bad for some of them, I ALMOST paid one or two, so I have gratitude for my life.
I also, however, switched the ringer on my phone back off. I'm even going to be polite on Monday or Tuesday or what ever it is to those freaky first Credit Destroyers, even if they tell me to wait 90 days, or like, steal my money in fees, because that is what my SISTER is for. LOL. Seriously, she has developed this "lawyer" tone from working for a Federal Judge in a top secret program, like, it's terrifying even to ME and I'm her BIG sister. I might email her ahead of time, I just hate to bug her, she has two kids and that Job... Also, she'll probably scold me for being an idiot too, and that's never fun, being scolded by your little sister. No, she probably won't she'll probably be NICE to me and MEAN to them.
LOL I plan to email her actually she may want to read my documents ahead of time. Etc. Interestingly only the "support services are closed" apparently you can ENROLL in this program at 2 a.m. on July 4th.
That's an issue. Etc.
Anna
