collection fee on late medical bill

[iwbom16atgh]

I have a debt that is less than 6 months in arrears to a doctor. I did not contact them because there were some questions I had to check on from my insurance company that stated some of the charges were doubled in other bundles of charges. I calledd the office to pay off the entire debt and they informed me that they had turned it over to a collection agency (I had not recieved notice as of the date I called the office). My bill was for $1069.00, and when I called the agency that same day, I was informed that I owed $1532.00. This is 43% of my debt (or if we are talking APR, it is 86% of my debt, since the debt was only paid by my insurance 6 months prior to my contacting the company). Is this a legal fee that can be charged?

 

[army judge]

It isn't a question of legality.
They didn't loan you money.
They're trying to scam money outta you.
They've added collection fees, not interest.
If you wish to pay the debt, advise them you'll settle for the original amount.
See what they say.
Most people don't pay, and the debt is too small to sue for in court.
They can sue you.
Suing you isn't likely.
They simply want to scam as much out of you as they can.

This started as a $1,000 debt.
The collection scammer bought the debt for pennies on the dollar.
If they paid anything north of $300, I'd be surprised.
They'll annoy and pester you forever.
Your credit has likely been harmed because this went to collections.
Yeah, it sucks, but this is how they screw you.
So, call them and make them an offer.
You could probably offer them half of it.
But, don't pay until you receive a letter from them indicating that they've settled for $X amount as full payment on the account.
Happy negotiating!!!!