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The emphasis of this write-up is about DirecTV collections. For those who have seen a collection account from DirecTV on their credit report or have been contacted to pay a particular debt, this write-up is for you.
The debt might not be a bad one however, the persistent calls can be annoying. Another thing about this collection is that it will have a negative effect on your credit score, especially when ignored for a long time. Getting through DirecTV collections shouldnโt be difficult. There are proven ways to go about it and they include:
- Negotiating for complete removal of the collection account when full payments are made.
- Account dispute with three different credit reporting bureaus.
- Working with a reliable professional credit repair company to get it fixed.
The hands-off approach of option three is the reason why the majority of people prefer it.
Table of Contents
DirecTV collection department
To some extent, the DirecTV collection department might be a bit confusing to some people since it became an arm of AT&T. Currently, theyโre yet to have a dedicated webpage where they solely attend to DirecTV accounts. On the same page, all subscribers can pay for bills as well as dispute any inaccurate bills.
The DirecTV collections generally, is the process of collections accrued by using the DirecTV service. As stated earlier, there is no specific department known as โDirecTV Collections.โ All bills and disputes can be done through AT&T. Alternatively, you might also deal with a third-party collection agency engaged by DirecTV to collect their debts. However, all are collection efforts by DirecTV.
DirecTV debt forgiveness
Itโs difficult for DirecTV to give room for settlement or allow debt forgiveness less than what you originally owe. But itโs advisable before asking for any form of debt settlement or forgiveness, endeavor to ask for confirmation to ensure the bill given to you is accurate. If there is any error, youโve got the opportunity of disputing the bill with the help of any reliable company.
DirecTV debt settlement
DirecTVโs debt settlement erases the collection account from your credit report but youโll be able to clear your debt without paying all the original amount owed. To do this, you need to forward a letter to the collection agency requesting that your reduction.
You can start negotiating from 50%, which will be less than the balance outlined by the collection agency. They might counteroffer with a higher figure but once theyโre willing to recover some of these missing bills, your request will be granted.
The negotiation will continue until both sides reach a compromise. When it finally happens, request that a written agreement should be sent to you containing the amount to be paid.
This will serve as an acknowledgment and evidence of the agreement reached through the phone. For those who might have sent their payment before they receive the letter, it will count as a partial payment depending if you paid the agreed amount or half. However, theyโll still make further efforts to collect the remaining balance.
DirecTV collections dispute
If youโre uncomfortable about a particular bill by DirecTV, youโve got an option to dispute it. But first, you need to visit billing.DirecTV.com and provide all the information requested.
Then a confirmation email will be sent to you with your incident number. Within 10-20 working days, youโll get a response from DirecTV. Alternatively, you can also email [email protected] adding the following details:
- Your registered name
- Phone number (Daytime preferably)
- Your unique DirecTV account number (especially for those that have a number)
- Description of the issue you intend to dispute
Youโll also receive a confirmation mail containing your incident number. Then in 20 days, DirecTV will get in touch with you again with their findings.
DirecTV Dispute Department Phone Number
Youโre free to dispute any collection with DirecTV. Their phone number is (800)-331-0500. The process of disputing might be challenging and as well time-consuming as well. That is the reason most people prefer to engage the services of a repair professional to make the process a bit easier.
DirecTV debt collection number
The number you can call to reach to DirecTV debt collection department is 1.800.531.5000. Through this medium, you can dispute any inaccurate information sent to you. Alternatively, if you donโt have the luxury of time to pursue it, you can engage any reliable company to assist you.
Dealing with DirecTV Collections
Before you start dealing with the DirecTV collection agency, there are important things you need to be aware of:
Donโt enter into any agreement through the phone
Whenever you start receiving phone calls related to your former DirecTV account, there is every tendency the calls are from AT&T themselves or it might be from the collection agency hired by AT&T. No matter the source where the phone calls are coming from, do everything to avoid it.
This is because the entire process has already been orchestrated to solely work in favor of the collection agency. For instance, most of these agencies are well trained to get more information from the subscribers. Theyโll try so hard to lure you to make payments without even confirming you actually owe the debt.
Another thing you need to know is that most of these agencies record all phone conversations. For those who donโt know, this has a legal implication because representations or statements agreed through phone conversation have the same weight as a written document.
But theyโll inform you the calls are on record so youโll be aware, though this might be an intimidation tactic to let your guards down. This is no position to start any negotiation not to talk of a collection account. There are other ways to handle it.
Insist that all agreements should be written
Demanding that any form of communication should be in writing is your right under federal law. Most of the collection agencies know about this law but when they discover you donโt, all communication will be via phone conversation which wonโt be in your favor.
Now you know the law backs you, hence you must assert this fact early in the conversation this will prevent you from receiving annoying calls that come with verbal intimidation. The good thing about your communication being in writing is that it will also give you control as the negotiation continues. This is because the collection agency has no other option than to behave as stated in the law.
In addition, a written conversation is also good because the discussion will be tailored down to the topic of discussion. Phone conversations create more room for the collection agencies to extract more information from you which will be used as a linkup to your debt.
Another good thing is that youโll take your time to respond to their mail calmly. For instance, when they propose any solution, youโll have your time to think ponder over it and make more research if it will be suitable for you.
Finally, it will also be easier to track your records about all the conversations. At times, you might need to make references to previous demands or proposals as the negotiation lingers. Note all mails must be sent using certified mail that comes with a receipt.
Donโt make any payment promise if you wonโt be committed to fulfilling it
When contacted by collection agencies, the majority in a bid to make them go away tends to make promises to make payments. If you fail to make the payment as promised, theyโll still return using more aggressive measures. In case you do not know, it is considered a breach of contract when you make a payment without fulfilling it.
Whether you make the promise through writing or phone call, it implies youโve accepted the financial responsibility. That alone can be used as a lawsuit. hence, unless youโre sure of paying, do not make any promise to send any payment.
Acquaint yourself with what the federal law states about your rights
The law being referred to here is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The law in its entity covers consumers with specific protection from any form of abuse from the collection agencies.
Hence, you must read it and familiarize yourself especially with frequently asked questions already answered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). By quoting the law when youโre contacted will make them treat you well because they know you can use it against them.
You need legal help to deal with DirecTV Collections
In a situation where you know within yourself, you canโt handle this because of the tricky behavior of the collection agencies, there is nothing wrong with seeking a legal representation. This is especially needed when youโre being bullied with a lawsuit.
There are companies into legal representations, look for any reliable one with a track record. Note you need agency already into credit law and are well recognized nationwide. With them clearing up the whole situation will no longer be a herculean task.
Ensure you erase DirecTV Collections out of your report
Most times, itโs recommended to engage a credit repair professional first to analyze your current debt. This will reduce the hassle, stress, and time youโll go through. Itโs not difficult, just search for any reliable agency and book a consultation with them for further discussions.
These agencies assist individuals to erase the inaccurate, unauthorized, fraudulent debt. One of their primary goals is to empower each consumer with the knowledge to attain their financial goals.
In Conclusion
As stated earlier, DirecTVโs debt collections main duty focuses on collecting unpaid debts. These payments are gotten from individuals who have refused or forgotten about their bills, then credited to DirecTV. In other words, they act on behalf of DirecTV.
When you utilize the DirecTV debt collections, certainly, you wonโt be charged any late fee by the credit bureau. This will be an advantage especially when youโve already received phone calls from the collectors. Itโs a means to avoid being charged with any form of multiple accounts. But that does not mean there is no disadvantage to it.
Making use of them means you wonโt get sufficient information from them. You need to know that they spend a reasonable time planning and contacting creditors. Besides, you must understand what each term implies.
Some of the terms you need to understand when dealing with these agencies are; confirming collection, intercepting payment, credit bureaus notification, and credit repair. If you pay attention, within a short time, you can interpret it correctly.
Frequently asked questions
What the duration that DirecTV will stay on my credit?
The maximum duration is about 7 years and this, in turn, will hurt your credit score because it will remain on it regardless if you paid or not. Sometimes, when you pay, it will even reduce your credit score. On the other hand, it can be removed from your report without even paying but you might need to engage the services of a credit repair professional to dispute for you.
Whatโs the best way to cancel any collection on DirecTV?
For those that already have a collection account with DirecTV that youโre sure has been paid, you need to reach out to them and request for the account to be deleted since youโve already sent your payments. Most times requesting goodwill deletion will do the magic. Sending a goodwill letter might also help.
What is the best way to pay for my old DirecTV bill?
You can use either of the following payment options: Through phone, reach out to them using their billing number (800) 531-5000. Alternatively, you can use the customer service number of AT&T (800) 288-2020. This can be done any day from 8 am until midnight, Eastern Time.
