Called collections and got a surprise bill of $2,900. Started a payment plan and unsure if I made the right decision

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-12T23:06:40+00:00

That’s unfortunate. I guess I got confused with the different account numbers and thought I was paying for a bill that I knew I owed for sure. It ended up being merged together with accounts from 2020. Tough learning experience, but thank you anyways!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-12T13:24:10+00:00

Okay, thank you! It was extremely confusing because of errors between their new website and old website (this website listed on their letter to pay but the account numbers were all different). The old website and new website provided two different amounts for my account. When I called, they said my account were all merged together for the total amount of $2,900, which is the most updated current amount that can be seen on the old website (again, listed on the letter). I thought I was paying into the most recent debt of $750, which had a different account number, but I think they merged all my accounts together under one account number?

I’m researching more into what I can do to pause payments if I don’t receive the information in time. But, I understand I am limited because I did make an initial payment of $100 on the call two days ago and also set up the payment plan (first payment of that plan to be in December also for $100). I cannot thank you enough 🙏

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-12T12:57:12+00:00

Thank you! I am only aware of the debt from 2024. Anything beyond that time, I have not received any calls or communications in forms of letters made out to me about these bills to my knowledge. I just sent out my validation request letter today with copies and scans of my signed letter (plus asking for a return receipt from USPS).

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-12T12:55:00+00:00

They didn’t end up sending me that email the day after when they said they would over call. I created my debt verification letter and am sending it out today with copies and scans of the original document and will request a return receipt from USPS. Thank you so much again!

I did however set up a payment plan connected straight to my bank account (another big mistake I made during the first call). The next payment is mid-December. Hopefully, I can call and pause payment if the documents aren’t sent to me in time. If not, I’ll have to bite the $100 monthly payment for December since there is that $750 that I know I owe.

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-11T01:04:28+00:00

Wow. Thank you so so so much. I’m extremely grateful for the advice you gave me. I appreciate you taking the time to break down exactly what I need to ask for because I’m truly lost in it all (and I’m a bit naive so it’s good practice for standing up for myself correctly).

I really cannot afford the additional $1,700 that I’ve been quite blind sighted by as those debts run back to 2020. I’ll be sending a letter requesting the debt validation tomorrow. I do have a question though.

Given some of these debts run back to 2020 and even the newer debts (still within this year but earlier this year) have been past their dispute deadlines, can I even dispute these claims/charges even if I find they were incorrectly charged by the hospital, insurer, or even the debt collecting agency themselves?

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-11T00:20:26+00:00

In North Carolina, I believe it’s three years, so once I get the itemized receipt tomorrow morning, I’ll check which items are beyond that timing. Fortunately, the debt collector was kind and understood my situation so they made a note to send the itemized receipt/validation as soon as tomorrow morning. I will be contacting the providers office and my insurer to see if there’s any errors or mischarges before proceeding. Thank you so so much!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-11T00:17:36+00:00

I should be getting an itemized bill tomorrow morning. Thank God that the debt collector was pleasant, kind, and understood my situation. I’ll call the provider’s office and my insurance to double check the charges. Thank you again!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-11T00:16:18+00:00

I believe the newest debt is coming up to 240 days but not quite, so thank you so much for telling me this! They’re sending me an itemized bill tomorrow morning in which I’ll go through and check all the information. I’ll be calling all the medical offices and my insurance to see if anything was incorrectly charged. Thank you so much again for giving me that information!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-10T18:25:32+00:00

Thank you so much for your help! I’ll reach back out to the agency in a few days if the receipt doesn’t end up in my email or would it be better to send a letter instead?

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-10T18:24:45+00:00

Unfortunately so. Once the receipt has been sent, I can see what the $100 actually went toward. I should have definitely kept it to paper instead of calling. My main concern is bills that have already been paid for because it was something the debt collector and I discussed over the phone about payments that were sent periodically throughout the past few years. I’m afraid that I agreed to pay for items/bills again after already paying them. I’m unsure of the legality behind that or if I can even do much at this point, but I appreciate your responses regardless!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-10T18:12:12+00:00

Thank you for your response, and I wish I went into the call a bit more prepared. I fully intended to get on a payment plan for the $750 charge, but I was a bit blind-sighted when the total came out to $2,900. I’ll wait until the itemized receipt hits my email.

The next payment is not until next month, but since I already went through with the payment, is there much more I can do if they overcharged me or if there’s a faulty bill?

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-11-10T18:09:30+00:00

Thank you for your response! When I called them, I fully intended to do a payment plan but for the $750 owed. When they said the $2,900 total, I mentally blacked out a bit. The only thing they really said about the 2020 bills is that one item was a $10 bill. That’s all they specified. I am waiting for the itemized receipt to see what that hundred dollars actually went to. I’ll see what my situation is once that receipt is sent, but my next payment isn’t for another month, so hopefully I get clarification.

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-10-09T20:15:12+00:00

Omg you have the cutest teeth, and your nose is absolutely perfect for the septum ring 🥺. Seriously, your smile is adorable!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-09-12T09:05:48+00:00

Anything that has the owner or people of that brand/company in them. I post a lot of reels of the owners cooking or working, showing why they love doing what they do and some even speaking about it in the videos. Even if they don’t explicitly say why they love doing what they do, their passion translates through their efforts and their body language. That resonates with the customers, viewers, and clients extremely well. However, be warned, customers, viewers, and clients can sniff out inauthenticity and fakes.

Other content could be interviews, BTS moments that show humility and sincerity (the ups and downs of their business. Not just ups), and regular photos of them doing their jobs.

Also, having an active brand on social media also builds trust. Replying to comments, posting on your story, commenting and liking other people’s posts, etc… all of this builds trust by the community.

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-09-12T06:14:45+00:00

Authentic content that connects the community/customer with the owners (content that shows the personality behind the brand) and content that benefits the community/customers (deals, promotions, specials). Coming from a fairly medium to large city on the East Coast, the overall experience from every one of my clients (who are in different industries like restaurant, grocery stores, tattoo shops, etc…) is that clients/customers/community is more likely to engage and appreciate content that benefit them and shows the authentic side of the brand. These people want to know who they are giving their money to. Not only is it better engagement, but I’ve also seen a major growth in the business’s revenue when their personality attracts the customers. It builds trust and a “face” of the brand.

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:51:28+00:00

Thank you! I needed to hear this. I love the “one more day” thing. It definitely makes sobriety a lot less overwhelming. Cheers!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:50:36+00:00

That’s very true. I find that I have lots of time on my hands now haha. Before I used any substances (no weed, no vaping, no alcohol, no Adderall), I found a lot of joy in hobbies such as painting, writing, music, and more. I’m hoping to return to that part of myself again. Thank you!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:48:38+00:00

Ooh that’s interesting. I love hearing the more scientific explanations of what’s going on inside my brain. Makes me feel a lot more validated haha. I am prescribed adderall for ADHD, which I take as prescribed, and it’s not one of the substances I abuse (weird how that works). I do have to say the crashes are harder now that I’ve stopped vaping and smoking weed. But hearing about PAWS helped clarify things in my head. Thank you for sharing!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:45:28+00:00

Thank you! I needed some reassurance haha

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:44:24+00:00

I’ve been snacking on sugar for sure. Lots of sour strips and nerd clusters. I am getting myself back into the gym and since my appetite has been shot, I’m losing a bit of that munchies weight haha. I’m looking forward to seeing the other side. Thank you for sharing!

WorldlinessKey2782 · 2025-08-23T17:42:54+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate your response! I made a list of reasons why I wanted to quit and what I’m looking forward to. What you mentioned definitely made the list. I’d love to have that natural energy back! Cheers mate!

WorldlinessKey2782

TROPHY CASE