How to Negotiate with Professional Debt Mediation in 2024

Some debt collectors have confusing names. Professional Debt Mediation is one of them.

If you see this company on your credit report, you might think you hired a debt mediator. You didn’t. Professional Debt Mediation is just another debt collection agency.

You can negotiate with them successfully. Here’s how to protect your rights and reduce what you owe.

What Is Professional Debt Mediation?

Professional Debt Mediation (PDM) is a debt collection agency in Jacksonville, Florida. The company specializes in collecting past-due rent from tenants.

PDM operates from 8657 Baypine Road, Suite 201, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Their main phone number is 904-398-0080. Their agents might call from different numbers.

Professional Debt Mediation Reviews and Reputation

Professional Debt Mediation has a poor reputation among consumers. The Better Business Bureau gives PDM an “F” rating.

The company is not BBB accredited. It has an average rating of 1 out of 5 stars.

Many BBB complaints focus on the company failing to validate debts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau lists over 1,000 complaints against PDM.

Common complaints include:

• Collecting in states where PDM lacks proper licensing
• Inflating the amount owed without explanation
• Attempting to collect debts already paid
• Failing to provide proper debt validation

How to Negotiate with Professional Debt Mediation

Some collectors use intimidation tactics to make you pay immediately. Don’t fall for it.

You have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Follow these four steps to negotiate effectively with PDM.

Step 1: Demand Debt Validation First

Many consumers don’t know this crucial fact. If a collector can’t prove you owe a debt, you don’t have to pay.

The collector must provide proof when you request it. Send a Debt Validation Letter immediately when PDM contacts you.

Your letter should request these specific items:

• The original creditor’s name
• The exact amount you allegedly owe
• A signed copy of your original contract
• The date of your last transaction on the account
• Proof that PDM is authorized to collect this debt

If Professional Debt Mediation can’t validate your debt, they must stop collection efforts. You won’t owe anything.

If they do validate the debt, you can move to negotiations. Our partner Solo helps you create properly formatted validation letters that protect your rights.

Step 2: Gather Evidence of Financial Hardship

Empty threats about bankruptcy won’t help your negotiation. Concrete evidence of financial hardship will.

Prepare documentation showing why you can’t pay the full amount. Strong evidence includes:

• Multiple creditors pursuing you for payment
• Outstanding tax debt obligations
• Minimal assets available for collection
• Back child support payments
• Substantial other debts
• Unemployment or income not subject to garnishment

Your goal is simple. Show PDM they won’t get a better offer from you.

You’re not trying to avoid payment because you’re unwilling. You’re negotiating because you genuinely cannot pay the full amount.

Step 3: Offer a Settlement Amount

Debt collectors often accept lump-sum settlements below the full balance. They’d rather collect something than nothing.

Start by offering 60% or less of the total amount. Expect Professional Debt Mediation to counter your offer.

Negotiations usually take several rounds before reaching agreement. Stay firm on what you can actually afford.

Never agree to pay more than you have available. Get any settlement agreement in writing before sending payment.

Our partner Solo can help you structure and document your settlement offer professionally.

Step 4: Negotiate a Payment Plan

If PDM refuses your settlement offer, propose a payment plan instead. Payment plans let you pay the full amount in installments.

Here’s how payment plans work:

Example: Maria receives a letter stating she owes PDM $600. She can’t pay it all at once. She proposes paying $100 monthly for six months. PDM agrees. Maria pays the debt without financial strain.

Payment plans require consistent monthly payments. Make sure you can afford the amount before agreeing.

Missing payments could restart aggressive collection efforts. Get the payment plan terms in writing.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection tactics. Professional Debt Mediation must follow these rules.

PDM cannot:

• Call you before 8 AM or after 9 PM
• Contact you at work if you tell them not to
• Harass, threaten, or use profane language
• Misrepresent the amount you owe
• Threaten actions they cannot legally take
• Continue calling after you request written communication only

Document every interaction with PDM. Save letters, record call dates and times, and note what was said.

If PDM violates the FDCPA, you can sue them. Violations may result in your debt being dismissed.

What Happens If You Ignore Professional Debt Mediation?

Ignoring PDM won’t make the debt disappear. The company can take legal action against you.

Professional Debt Mediation may file a lawsuit to collect the debt. If they win, they can garnish your wages or bank accounts.

A collection account damages your credit score significantly. It remains on your credit report for seven years.

Responding quickly gives you more negotiating power. Take action as soon as PDM contacts you.

Should You Get Help Negotiating with PDM?

Negotiating with collectors can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to handle it alone.

Professional help can improve your settlement outcome. Experts know what tactics work best with specific collectors.

You’ll avoid common mistakes that hurt your negotiating position. Professional negotiators understand collector psychology and legal requirements.

Many services operate on contingency or offer affordable flat fees. The money you save through better settlements often exceeds the service cost.

Fight Back Against Aggressive Collection Tactics

Some people pay collectors simply to avoid stress. That short-term relief costs you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Negotiating takes minimal effort for potentially massive savings. You have legal rights protecting you throughout the process.

Professional Debt Mediation’s poor reputation shows they’ve violated consumer rights before. Don’t let them intimidate you into unfair payment.

Start with debt validation and negotiate from there. You have more power than you think.