And the logical fallacies! Get a lawyer, they said. We don’t want to talk to you, that implied. What would you know? Pay a lawyer $1,000 (to start) in order reduce the bill to some amount I could not pay and didn’t owe?

So at one point I offered $1,000. They told me That’s not enough! We need a substantial payment! We won’t take your money if all you are offering is $1,000!