in 2012 my wife had 7 teeth removed and had bone graffs put in for future expensive teeth. well I lost my job and couldnt pay and the bill went straight to portfolio and I was on the hook for around $8,000. well 3 years later the debt almost gone we have 3 more payments and my credit will go up. they work with us when I got sick, I had lung cancer, and had surgery, with 3 weeks out of work. if your nice to the agent, there be nice to you. be honest with them. I have nothing bad to say about them. there doing there job like anyone else. if you have a debt and cant pay, sorry your still on the hook for it. you cant say too bad so sad, I wont pay. they will find you and collect. the only way you get away with it is too be homeless. however if you ever get a job and start working again they will get you in the end.