Seeking advice on Sears debt

Posted by Osakisgirl (206.145.169.162) on October 26, 2003 at 13:31:51:

My brother inherited debt from a Sears credit account in a divorce several years ago. The original balance was relatively small--about $1,000. However, due to a medical disability and subsequent unemployment, my brother's payments fell into arrears and late charges as well as high finance charges continued to mount up; the balance is now more than $3,000 and climbing. Because of his disability, my brother lives with my elderly mother. She is distressed to be receiving harassing phone calls from a collection agency several times a day.

For a while, my brother was making a payment every week. However, the collection agency continued to call, insisting that payment had not been received (though he has receipts for the payments, which he makes to the local Sears outlet center). Yesterday, the collection agent first acknowledged an October 18 payment, then, seconds later, insisted that the account has been delinquent for four months. Even when they concede that payment HAS been received, they continue to assess late charges.

Even if he continues to make small payments, my brother can never catch up to the ever-increasing late fees and finance charges.

Does anyone have suggestions for how we can resolve these problems, short of him declaring bancruptcy?

Thanks for any advice anyone can provide.

kgm

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