I'm not sure how long many of you have been around. I posted way back in March I think about the importance of NEVER ignoring a collection attempt. I did take my own advice and the drama continues.
When I was contacted initially, I was pursued for collection for the physician portion of an emergency room visit. Luckily, that envelope did not see the shredder. I immediately contacted the Hospital and the collector and it was straightened out, even received a notification that the account was no longer in collections. Good huh? I thought so. Until about 30 days ago.
I received a letter from Medical Business Concultants out of Largo. I immediately called and they identified hat htey were collecting for the same account for the same company for the same date of service. HUH? At that time I advised the young lady that all of this had been taken care of months ago, she persisted, so I requested a DV since I cannot have paid a company and them still be collecting.
The rep's response? We don't have to do anything, you have until 5pm to pay. I'm like WTF? No I didn't say it out loud but almost. Little heffer hung up on me. I immediately called back and requested a supervisor. I explained what the CSR had said and her response 'We don't do that. Are you sure she said that?" I said "I am as sure that she said that as I am sure that I told her 'I don't need to do a d*mned thing by five o'clock.' Okay I will admit it, Brammy lost it.
Okay I let them BS me. Told that as long as I sent proof of coverage the account would be closed. Sent the proof and heard nothing. Two weeks ago I gave them a call, once agin knowing better than to let a collection slide and was told that they had to verify that the date of service in question was covered. Hey! I'm thinking no problem, contact number right at the bottom of the page....Fast forward to today and you will see how it played out
The following is a leter I faxed to the head of their collections department today. Did I mention I also have a call in to my attorney? once again that proactive side of me
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Thursday, September 20, 2007
Vince Laprova
Medical Business consultants
PO Box 5417
Largo Fla 33779
Dear Mr. Laprova
I see the tactics have not changed. I contacted your office over two weeks ago after faxing in the determination for my January 18th date of service at the xxxxxxxxxx. Upon contacting your office, I was assured that I would be notified of any determination made on the information provided. That was not done. Nor did you notify me that any additional information would be needed to make said determination. I guess I would have just been surprised to find it on my credit report.
During our last conversation, you and your staff informed me that you would verify with XXXXXX, the only people who could provide you with the dates of service covered. Yet you tell me that your client advised you that the letter was invalid. Speaking with your client today, I was advised that they have never advised on this matter. Moreover, there were absolutely no notes on the account about a contact regarding this account.
I am glad that I was proactive in this situation, as I have just ended a phone call to XXXXXXXX requesting a more thorough determination to meet your needs. I am sure that the turnaround time will be 7-10 days which is standard.
Now, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, no violations have been made as of yet. However under the Fair Debt Collection Practices that is a different story. I believe absolute refusal to verify information provided is in clear violation. Your argument was that the approval date did not match the dates of service, how could it possibly match when it was an Emergency room visit and not even applied for until after the date of service. You were informed multiple times that XXXXXXXXX would be more than happy to verify with one phone call and even provided a contact number.
If this crosses the line of being reported to the three bureaus, even though you have been made aware that additional documentation is forthcoming, I will not only amend my complaint against your organization filed with the FTC today but pursue legal action for any resulting adverse actions that my creditors may take as my current FICO scores are all in the 700 range.
I prefer all future contact with your organization be in writing since it is obvious that your word cannot be trusted.
CC: Metro American, FTC
**Fax return receipt will be considered proof of delivery
