Paying off debts is a difficult thing, especially when the dealing with a lot of hassle for a debt that isn't valid to begin with.

Due to my EZPass transponder not reading properly the Delaware Transportation Authority turned a debt over to Penn Credit. What was initially an $8 debt (to cover the tolls two ways) turned into $108 debt. Admittedly, I did not deal with Delaware Transportation Authority in a timely manner to clear the debt and show I have a valid EZPass that wasn't reading. That said, today when I called Penn Credit to see if I had any options to clear the debt, set-up payment plans, or possibly go back to Delaware/ EZPass to prove the debt invalid Penn Credit was extremely rude, disrespectful, and inflexible.

First I spoke to a girl, who defended the debt telling me it was too bad and there was nothing she could do for me, unless I was ready to make payment. I then asked to speak for her supervisor. When her supervisor, James got on the phone, he echoed a similar sentiment. According to him, the debt was too past due to consider an adjustment, and his only suggestion was to set-up a post-dated check if I couldn't pay in full today. He proceeded to tell me that the state's in a budget crisis too, and helping me wouldn't be very helpful to Delaware. Keep in mind this debt is $100 in fee's on an $8 debt. When I asked if I had any options to prove I have a working, valid EZPass account, he said he cannot recommend or help me with any communication of that type due to Penn Credit's arrangement with the Delaware Transportation Authority.

So I hung up and called Delaware Transportation Authority myself. Within 5 minutes they agreed to pull my debt back from Penn Credit collections and look into clearing the fee's due to my situation. I understand that it is not a collection agency's job to be nice or flexible, it is after all their job to collect debts. Penn Credit just seemed particularly unhelpful and borderline disrespectful. If there are any companies out there looking for a place to manage your collections, I would steer clear of Penn Credit. They are the worst.

Got an electronic call from Penn Credit that said if this is… and then stated my “Grandmothers” name.
Interest peeked me to answer the call and ask who, what, where, and why. I was met by a very rude person that told me, ” I had no right to answer the call and who am I.” The conversation continued a bit with “you called me and how did you get my number in connection with a person that has been diseased for two years. At this point they did not want to talk to me any more but I insisted in talking to a supervisor. This person told me my number was pulled from a skip trace. My point is if Penn Credit is looking into finding people, than a death certificate should have been the first thing to pop up. Secondly call a grandson by accident… I don’t think so. Anybody got an idea how to get back at these people?