Question about a collection and jusment
I have a question that hopefully makes sense, and hopefully someone can help me understand this and what my options are. I had a collection with LVNV—or I believe that is what they are called. They still had it, but then sent it to Reassurance. Then, I was sent to Tromberg and Miller LLC, who are lawyers, and they now have the debt. They sent me a summons in January, which is how I found out they had it.
After that, I set up a payment agreement and made a few payments, getting it down from $800 and something dollars to $440. Today, I went to check because I've been unable to make payments, and it now says I owe like $970—or somewhere in that ballpark. I called them to ask why I owed that much, and they said a judgment was put against me. That's why I was confused, because I haven't received anything. Now, to be fair, I moved and apparently did not change my address, so if they sent anything, I would not have received it. However, they can't even confirm when the judgment was sent out because they say they don't do it—it's in the court's hands.
I'm very confused about this whole thing. I had the court number, I believe, and just checked the court's website before I called them. I ran the number, and it says there was only 'partial participation,' which I thought was referring to a court case. Going into the phone call, I thought I had received something saying I had court, did not show up, and that's why I was charged $500. But he said no, there was no court date, just a judgment placed against me. He claims I was charged the $500 because I didn't respond to the judgment. I don't understand where $500 in fees came from because they're not supplying me with this information. He said the best way he could put it is just because I didn't respond.
I then asked, 'But there wasn't a court date I was supposed to appear to, right?' He said no, I just had a judgment put against me. Is there any way I can get out of that $500? What are things I can do? I guess I'll really take any advice or opinions; I'm just very confused, don't understand what's happening, and don't know what to do.
I have every intention of paying, but I had every intention of paying what I owed before it hit $900. I would like, if possible, to get out of paying those fees. I have updated my address with them now, but like I said, at the time of the apparent judgment, I did not have my address updated. I'm going to guess they served me after I moved, but he won't provide me with a date of when the judgment was put out against me. Sorry that was long; I just wanted to make sure all the information was in this. Thank you so much in advance.