I moved in July of this year from Apartment Complex A. While I didn't tell anyone there that, the two reasons I moved were a) poor overall maintenance and b) management incompetence. They had at least three companies who managed the place in the two years I lived there, maybe four, the place changed hands a lot. I always paid my rent on time, left them my forwarding address when I left. I expected I wouldn't see my deposit but didn't really care. Because I had to stay on at a month to month rate (with their knowledge/consent) for a couple days past the end of the lease, I expected a final bill after I left, which I received in late July/early August. In the bill I received, they said they deducted my deposit from the final billing, and I was left with a final debt of just under $13. I don't recall the exact due date, except that I did pay it at least a day or two prior to that, and my bank shows a withdrawal from my account dated the 17th of August, so I probably submitted the online payment a day or so before that.

I was sorting my mail today and found a letter from a collection agency about this debt. Dated the 24th of August, a week after I paid the debt. The agency in question has a poor BBB rating and multiple complaints, I'm not even sure they are legit, but regardless I have 30 days to dispute the debt.

I paid the debt. I paid the debt at least a week before the letter was sent, and I can prove that. My question is how I should deal with this. I want to have nothing at all to do with the collection agency, I'm afraid if I contact them I'll never hear the end of it (and some of the complaints filed with BBB are for lack of communication from them). My former complex is also clearly incompetent since they sent the bill to collection even though I paid it by the due date.

So, what's the best way to deal with this with the minimal amount of effort? I'm pretty pissed off I even have to deal with this at all since I did, in fact, pay this tiny bill. Anyone with any housing or legal experience that can help me out here?

You're in MD? http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.g...s/edge117.aspx

If it was me I'd just find a trash can and throw it in it.

Yeah , that^

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I mean that was my first instinct but I don't want any damage to my credit rating either, as I've been thinking about getting a home in the next couple years. I have excellent credit and don't want that hurt.

And yes, I'm in MD. The collection agency is in Texas FWIW.

My advice is to wait for MLYLT to give her advice.

Then ignore that. And the letter.

I can't believe you haven't reached out to tbab for advice yet. He's a subject matter expert and a former top producer!

The bill is like 12$? I can't see a universe where I don't instapay it. Call the property management company and get 12 dollars worth of bitching worth if you want, but I'm never sinking hours into that black hole.

I already paid the 12.86 and I can prove that easily. I'm not paying a bill I already paid because my former complex is either too incompetent to run their business correctly or so greedy they want to try to **** me over for $12.86.

Just send them something like this without the NY references http://www.neweconomynyc.org/wp-cont.../02/letter.pdf

Thanks Greg. I really don't want to deal with this bull**** at all. ****ing ******* incompetent ****wads.

I agree with RJ, absolutely zero chance I would pay again.

Your choice. I contend spending hours of your life, sending certified letters etc. for 12$ wouldn't be my preferred play.

You'll need to pursue the certified letter route if the credit ding is a concern. Best of luck.

This is so ****ing annoying.

They must think you're in arrears.

Nice, that's nice.

Best.Post.Ever.

I pay it because time is valuable.

RJ is letting her human side take control I'm afraid.

I'd send them a box of nickels and a penny.

Nice one kioshk.

And obviously I know I could just send them 12.86. It's probably more than that to send a certified letter, which is part of what makes this so infuriating - it's such a small amount. But goddamn if I'm going to let a bunch of thieving incompetent bastards get a penny out of me. It's the principle of the thing, combined with stubbornness because I know I'm goddamn right. I did double check, too; I thought maybe I misclicked something and the payment didn't send, but not only does my checking account show the debit, my old account with that apartment complex shows a zero balance. I paid that damn $12.86 and the only people getting more out of me is the post office.

I fought an article 15 while in the service, too, even though it would have been far simpler and less of a hassle to just accept it, because I didn't do what they accused me of doing. I risked court martial and a federal conviction. Obviously the stakes were much different there, but there was no way in hell I was going to admit to something I didn't do. Same general concept. I'm right, I know I'm right, and this shady ass collection agency that probably bought my sub $13 debt for a penny can kiss my pasty, flabby white ass.

Send the collection agency documentation that you paid it.

Here's the bad news - chances are your credit is going to get hammered. Regardless of what you do, the mere fact that your debt went into collection will probably crater your credit. A couple years ago I moved out of a place, took my tv box into Comcrap, and tried to pay my final bill. They said they would send it to me. Months later, in my new home, having happily forgotten about Comcrap because I never got a bill, I got a collection letter. Within 5 minutes I called Comcrap and paid the bill. I got hammered to the tune of 50 points off my FICO. Nobody cared that I never got a bill (I had a PO box and USPS forwarded my mail) or a phone call (Comcrap admitted that in their records they never called me) they just cared that I went into collection.

I suggest getting your credit report the 2nd week of October. If you see the collection, submit disputes to the three credit agencies. If that doesn't work, get in touch with a credit repair outfit. I took about every step I could think of, including contacting the federal consumer credit protection agency. Eventually I paid lawyers to fix it.

Paying the $12.86 again would be very stupid since you would be validating the debt and your credit would take a hit. It's a really ****ty system that needs a huge reform. Basically guilty until proven innocent.

Gregorio seems to be on the right track.

I checked the site Greg linked, they cannot report the debt if I dispute it until resolved, and if they do they are liable for damages and lawyers fees.

I will keep a very close eye on my credit for the next several months at least. I did just check it two days ago and it's over 800.

This is so ****ing stupid. I payed them their ****ing 12.86 now I have to deal with this bull****.

Tomato on the pillow is next step. Bastids!

Grunching

Ignore it.