Getty & Collection Agencies

[anakin]

I'm just curious to know how often Getty submits their claims to collection agencies?
I've seen it mentioned a few times. In my case i'm pretty obviously innocent but it sounds like it wouldn't matter.
I'm planning to fight no matter what but was just curious if they often submit smaller cases to collection or let them drop if you keep resisting.

[Peeved]

I'm just curious to know how often Getty submits their claims to collection agencies?
I've seen it mentioned a few times. In my case i'm pretty obviously innocent but it sounds like it wouldn't matter.
I'm planning to fight no matter what but was just curious if they often submit smaller cases to collection or let them drop if you keep resisting.

This is a guess as the latest strategy appears to be to go straight to their attorney Tim McCormack. It is not known for sure if they are eliminating dealing with NCS or not. If they are still using NCS, there has been less talk about it here on the forums.

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

This could be result of ELI’s educating extortion letter recipients that if they get a letter or call from NCS all they have to do is tell them that this is a claim not a debt and don't call me ever again. If this is happening enough perhaps Getty has realized it's just a wasted step and they should just let Timmy have a crack at it. I don't know if this is the case or not but I would sure like to think that we are having an effect. I know we have had an effect on the letters that are sent out since the time this form first started, they are now much less aggressive in tone and more sanitized than they used to be and in some cases if it were not for the demand amount would no longer be considered extortion letters.

[Moe Hacken]

Anakin, very glad to hear you're not going to roll over and pay them. The less the trolls are fed, the weaker they get.

I'm not as experienced as the other members but from what I've read, they've tried that trick for some time. It's the weakest attempt at extortion because a collection agency can not continue to harass you. Tell them you owe Getty nothing and to please stop calling. Record the name of the person if it was a telephone call and keep any records. If they call you can again, you can file a complaint against them at your local consumer protection agencies. They're not supposed to keep calling.

Getty may decide to continue to scare you by having attorneys contact you with half-baked claims which are usually very poorly documented. Don't buy it, the attorney only has two choices: make noises for 3 years until the statute of limitations runs out, or actually take you to court. Generally they won't bother with the latter unless the amount they're claiming is worth their while.

If you get a call from McCormack or his office or anyone else about this matter, don't talk to them except to say they must contact you in writing. It's not a good idea to try to field a call on any legal issue. They're prepared to attack and you're not prepared to respond. You don't have to talk to them and don't forget that anything you say can and will be used against you.

Maybe you could share more details about your particular case, including any communications they've sent you. Everything you share will be of great help to this group and to future participants who find themselves in a similar situation. This group has been reverse engineering their sleazy methods and it empowers everybody to know what to expect from the trolls.

You are making the right choice by fighting back and you will prevail.

P.S. After writing this I realized you had already posted your letter. The group has responded with some very solid advice. Way to go, everybody!

[SoylentGreen]

We've discussed collection agencies at some length on here in the past.
Including:
http://www.extortionletterinfo.com/forum/getty-images-letter-forum/the-ncs-settlement-letter-ignore-or-write-to-them-to-dispute-debt/

Also, Matt did a lengthy write-up on collection agencies; perhaps, somebody could post a link to it?

S.G.