<prompt> Human: Im in my early 20s -- just short of graduating college by one credit. I currently work part-time at a restaurant where I make about 400 a week. Im currently looking for a betteranother job. I wont explain the how, because Im really not even sure at this point, but Ive managed to get myself into this huge ordeal. I just opened a letter from AmEx today about my account being due in full and that I need to contact them ASAP before they move it to a collections agency. Mostly I am freaking out and have been scouring reddit for information but would love for someany advice more specific to this huge amount of debt. I have no idea what to do. I obviously dont have 10,000 dollars but Im super willing to work as much as humanly possible to deal with this. Im really overwhelmed right now and I just dont know who to turn to about this.. Please, any information you have for me will help with the amount of overwhelming anxiety that I am feeling right now. Ive gone through the wiki but would love any individual adviceencouragement anyone has.Assistant: Call them and ask them for options. See if they will accept a payment plan, or a reduced payment. If they dont offer any options you like, the worst that happens is you hang up the phone in the same place you are right now. Dealing with this before it goes to a collection agency is in your best interest. Getting the debt back into good standing removes the threat of a lawsuit, collection costs, and the additional hit of a collection account on your credit report.Human: Just gave the man whos been trying to reach me a call. No response, but thank you for letting me know I should give it a go with them before collections.  <response>: That sounds fishy. Are you sure this was from AMEX and isnt a scam? Call the number on the card or their actual website 