United Recovery Systems debt collection phone calls and negotiating a good settlement.
I have one credit card that went to collections a few months ago. United Recovery Systems was calling family so I sent a cease and desist letter. They have stopped calling but i REALLY want to clear this up. I have sent 2 settlement attempts and have heard nothing back via mail. I owe $8065 and it is to Chase. I would really like to settle with Chase but the representative I talked to there said no chance. Not sure if that is true. I would like advice on how to settle and try and get my credit report to look its best.
How to settle with a debt collector like United Recovery Systems?
—Tara
Before I weigh in on settling with the collection agency, United Recovery Systems, on your Chase credit card account, I want to dig a little deeper into the debt collector calling family. Did URS call family even though they had reached you by phone prior, or sent you letters that you received?
I ask because the only reason a collection agency can call family friends or neighbors is to locate you. That’s unfortunately not how they always play that card. They call others even though they have spoken with or otherwise reached you in order to put pressure on you to pay them in order to stop what is often embarrassing – them calling others about you and your Chase credit card bill that has not been paid. If they mentioned anything about the purpose of trying to reach you being about the debt, that is even worse.
9 times out of 10 you will want to use the phone to negotiate with United Recovery Systems.
Sending letters offering to settle will rarely yield a response. Speaking with United Recovery is the next step. Your credit card sounds like it is more than 6 months late, so I would suggest you target a settlement amount somewhere around 40% of the debt. Can you get your hands on as much as 3200? If you cannot, there are times when accounts can be settled for less than what is owed with payment terms. Settling the Chase account with United Recovery Systems, and getting terms, would allow you to pay the new agreed upon amount in monthly installments. These kind of terms are available when you know how to push for them. I have seen monthly payments set up with anywhere from 3 to 12 month installments, and even longer (though not common).
Settling your credit card balance and getting time to pay will sometimes impact the settlement amount. The thinking on their end when you are negotiating the debt,, but need time to pay could be:
If you can pay us 500.00 a month for 6 months, why can’t you pay us 500.00 a month for 12?
Settling the credit card debt in one lump some, or setting up a monthly payment arrangement with URS for the Chase account that is a short duration (3 or so months) will often provide the best results.
If your account has not yet been charged off by Chase (you are not 6 months past due), it is unlikely you will get more than a 3 month payment time frame to fund the settlement agreement.
Also, be sure to get any debt settlement in writing before funding the offer. That goes for negotiating and settling with Chase directly, or with United Recovery Systems.
Getting your credit report to look its best will be a function of timing and making smart rebuilding steps at this point because you already have an account that Chase has charged off.
Before taking your next step, please answer my question about whether the debt collector called your family members when they had already connected with you about the debt. Depending on your response, I would refer you to an attorney in order to learn more about your rights found in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Most attorneys I know of specializing in FDCPA violations do not charge for you to consult with them, and often do not charge you a fee if the take your case. They get paid from the violator, in this case United Recovery Systems, when they are successful in representing you.
What state do you live in?
Anyone dealing with United Recovery Systems is welcome to post a comment below for feedback.
About Michael BoveeMichael started CRN in 2004 with a mission to provide people in need with detailed debt and credit help and education. Michael has participated as an expert panelist in federal consumer protection rule making, collaborated on state law changes governing debt consolidation, has worked as an expert witness in court matters related to the debt relief industry. He is available to speak with you about your financial struggle and helps people resolve their debt problems daily.
Company call untited recovery mediation keeps harassing my family and me about a loan I never took out . +1Â (732)Â 348-0866
Hey I’ve got a $12xxx debt with Chase and URS called me and will settle for $57xx but at $469 a month for only 12 months and I can’t afford that while paying $200 a month to another collector (yes I screwed up financially) I spoke to my brother in law who is willing to give me a $3500 loan to pay them. What are the chances they’ll take that payment and call it a day? If I do that is there a way they will send it to me in writing so if they accept and I pay it’s over with? He said he had a chase debt that was over $12k as well and he was able to settle for $2800.
How long ago did you last pay Chase? Your answer will impact my feedback. If United Recovery Systems is collecting before charge off (less than q6 or 7 months late) you will likely want to hold off accepting any settlement. If you are passed that, call me to go over some details about settling for much lower. You can reach me at 800-939-8357, ext 2, or fill in the talk to Michael form in the right rail of this page so we can email with each other to figure out a good time for us both to connect on the phone.
Today is a travel day for me, but I am back in the office tomorrow and the rest of the week.
Last I paid them was at least 6months ago at the very least. I ended up just settling with them for $37xx and am having my brother in law loan me the money for that. I initially countered with $3000 and they gave me that final number so to just kill the biggest balance card I have I took it. However if it wasn’t for your site though I wouldn’t know I could even haggle it that low. Unfortunately for me this won’t be the last card to go to collections (got in a very bad spot post moving) but it’s good to know there’s a resource out here like yours.
Congrats, you did great!
HI, I have two credit cards with Chase that are both past due by 6 months – one for 16, 500 and the other for 15500. URS contacted me this morning and asking for payment. I asked if I could negotiate down the debt and was offered – 10,227 and 10,711. I never would take their first offer and I am am sure that not the best deal. Just curious where I should go as far as a counter offer. From reading the above postings I know I need to make sure to have everything in writing from them before handing over any money. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
The best savings from settling with United Recovery can vary depending on how much of a collection target you are to them. I would recommend you call in for a consult so I can dig into the details I will need to offer the best feedback about negotiating. I do not want you to leave money on the table, but I do not want you holding out for something that is not going to happen either.
You can fill in the consult form, or call me at 800-939-8357, option 2 rings to me.
Michael – just wanted to let you know that I was able to negotiate my settlement to $7400 and $7000 respectively. My experience with United was a good one – I found the rep to be professional aside from pushy (lol). A couple of pieces of advice that I would like to relay with others (and you can give me your opinion as well) – which I think helped in my particular case. Communication – once its initiated and you begin working with them – keep true to the appointments that you set with them – I was even calling back earlier than the agreed upon time (it shows you are engaged in working with them and it builds trust). I also found it helpful to control the conversations when setting deadlines and discussing payment options – they always try to impose very short deadlines to resolve your situation and want to explore every option for funding – dont be afraid to tell them no.. I disputed the deadlines with them during our first conversations and flatly told them it was not enough time to do what I needed to do and suggested a different date – they countered a couple of times, but I stood my ground and we ended up agreeing to one day short of what I originally suggested (6 days rather than 7) which I think made them feel like they won.
Be professional at all times – its a business transaction, I never raised my voice while negotiating, even when sometimes it was a bit frustrating when they would get pushy, I would just calmly argue my points and was able to always come to an agreement. Finally – never take their first offer of settlement – make a reasonable counter off of what you feel comfortable paying and see if they bite.
Micheal I want to applaud you for this website – it is a wealth of information and reading your blogs gave me the information necessary to negotiate what I felt was a great deal. I will be buying you coffee!!! 🙂
Best Regards
John
Thank you for posting the update John. It really helps empower others to take on their own challenges and succeed!
I have a personal loan with USAA that’s been handed over to United Recovery. I haven’t paid on the loan since October 2015; I got a call from the debt collector about 3 weeks ago. The total debt is $10,245 and they’re trying to settle for $5100. I’ve offered a lump sum of $2500 (low, I know, but that’s all I can afford), and that was quickly rejected. Then he told me that I could pay that amount, plus pay monthly installments of $20 until I make up the other $2600. I live in Maine. I want to take care of what I owe, but I can’t afford to pay that amount that he’s asking. How do I move forward? What exactly should I get in writing?
You may be able to get United Recovery to go lower than the 50 percent, and even extended over payments, but I am not overly optimistic you will get them to $2500.00.
How long would it take you to raise more cash?
You do want your settlement with URS in writing. Review this article for what to look for in that letter: https://consumerrecoverynetwork.com/debt-settlement-letters-agreements/
I am trying g to pay off a debt that is n father in laws name. Should I just send them a check and be done. My father in-law is in no shape due to health issues. Will they take a settlement?
Are you dealing with United Recovery? How much is the debt? How long ago was a payment last made on the account?
Wow, than you for your quick and detailed response. First, I live in Texas. As for the collection agency calling my family. It is probably my fault. I received a letter saying if they didn’t hear from me within 30 days they would consider it valid. Then they called 14 times a day and I didn’t answer. Honestly after reasearching this collection agency I was afraid to talk to them. While I am sure only people with negative attitudes towards them post comments online, I saw so many that I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. To let it go this far is so out of my personality and I didn’t want to have to deal with rude bullying people. When they did call my family at their home in Houston and our ranch they told my parents they were with URS and asked if they could ask them some questions about me. My parents said no and that was that.
As for settling. I am basically being a chicken about this. I have looked through your website at what you actually do, but am just wondering if y’all could do the stteling/negotiating for me. I do have the $3200 available waiting to get this over with! Would it be just the 15% of what I am saved that CRN would charge? Or would I need the membership type option as well? And would this be something you could do?
Thank you for your help.
Tara
Thanks for the follow up information Tara.
Don’t be down on yourself. Debt happens. Its unfamiliar territory and can be an uncomfortable experience – especially when dealing with aggressive collectors such as United Recovery Systems.
As far as our ability at CRN to assist you, yes we can. Call me for the initial consultation at 800-939-8357, choose option 2. Your situation sounds like it would be 15% of the settlement savings as a fee, and nothing else.