Mom is 92 yrs has been in skilled nursing home for 2 years is on medi-Cal (Calif). All Soc Security goes to her care except $35.00. She has credit card debit. I originally talked to all creditors explained situation, they all have my POA. Sent all a certified letter with return signature receipt. Now after almost a year I received a collections notice from one. How do I handle it?
Tear them up and ignore them.
In my opinion, when you first sent proof to the original creditor that Mom was in assistance in a NH, they should have wrote off the debt. It should not have been sold to a collection agency. But looks like it has been.
I would just ignore the letter at this point. If they do call, explain the situation and then ask that they don't call you again. If they continue to call, then contact the FTC and report them. There are rules they are to follow and can be fined if they don't.
The credit collectors have no basis to sue Labmom any more than they could sue any of us. By inserting herself in it, it will encourage the credit companies to think she is a responsible party.
In time the debt will be 'sold' to collection agencies and they will sell it on too. After 7 years it is expunged, but that does not stop collection agencies from trying to collect.
Part of the reason CC companies charge such high interest is to cover the cost of noncollectable debts.
Sheesh, the lowlifes in collections.
I would ignore. These collectors will hound her. There r FTC rules they are to follow, but they don't. For one thing, they can't threaten to sue and then not do it.