I recently received a letter about a longstanding debt I owe, for a small
amount of money...thought the amount there asking for is nearly twice the
amount of the original debt.

I contacted the billing company, offering to pay the amount. The billing
representative made arrangements for me to make installment payments, ON THE
ORIGINAL VALUE OF THE DEBT, though he wanted to access the money directly
through my bank account. I declined to this without something in writing
affirming the terms of the deal ( that is monthly installments on the
original amount)...we made other arraignments where I'll just pay by
check..then he will send me a statement in the mail, regarding the deal
...
Should I trust these people? I heard a few stories about bill collection
agencies ripping-off people The amount the bill collection agency is asking
for is a small amount, 414.00, though the original debt is only 212.00. I
just don't want to pay these guys thinking I'm getting a deal and the debt
is going to be paid, only to have paid, only then to have them come back
asking for more money saying the debt isn't paid later...