topic Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this? in Rebuilding Your Credit

Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:37:23 GMT

I noticed this is still on my report, so I went through my old reports and yup, always been there. Some reason I thought this came off when the med collection came off my Transunion. Anyway, what steps should I take for this account?

The first account is on my Equifax report only: This account was verified with normal dispute

CA: Landmark Accounts Inc.
Date Reported: 01/2005
Date Assigned: 11/2004
Creditor Class: Medical/Health Care
Creditor Name: COMH
Account: XXXXXX
Account Owner: Individual Account.
Original Amount Owned: $250
Date of 1st Delinquency: 07/2004
Balance Date: 01/2005
Balance Owned: $250
Last Payment Date: N/A
Status Date: 01/2005
Status: D - Unpaid
Comments: Medical

I had another account on Transunion by the same CA but the balance was for $197. I disputed it and it came off but they soon after sent me a collection attempt via mail. This is beyond the SOL so I'm not concerned about getting sued. But I genuinely have no idea what either of these are. My only guess is something that my insurance failed to pick up at the hospital for some reason even though I remember paying my small percentage way back when.

What can I do with this account that is still on my EQ? Should I send a PDF and offer a small percentage of the $250, such as $100? Should I DV them directly? I've read about the Pre-Hipaa letter but I don't want to opt out. I've been in the process of resurrecting my credit and I like the pre-approval letters and offers when I sign up or visit stores. I only have a single small credit card with Capital one that I just opened in October. Since March of this year, I have raised my scores from around 540s to all around 680s (FICOS and EX FAKO). So I'm open to offers for store cards without getting dinged inquiries.

So please let me know what steps I should take to get this removed. I just had my only PR Vacated (waiting on it to be deleted by the CRAs) so this is my only negative that is really left on my reports once the PR comes off.

Thank you so much in advance! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:31:40 GMT

What would I do? I'd leave it alone. It will be gone on it's own by the end of 2011 at the latest. To me it's not worth the stress and aggravation.

But that's just me. I would also pay the balance off after it drops off so that the debt is satisfied for good.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 10/10-813, TU - 10/10-774

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:57:11 GMT

Thanks for the quick reply

The OC never reported this so is this CA just acting on behalf of the OC? I would really like to know what this is before i pay it. There was one on my TU from the same CA for a lesser amouint of $197 but i believe the dates were close if not the same. I cant find an old copy of my TU reports here at my office, so maybe they are at home. So, with that said, I'm willing to offer something like $100 and PFD. I just want it gone and done for good since it will still show when I go to buy a house next year (over $150k).

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:59:53 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply

The OC never reported this so is this CA just acting on behalf of the OC? I would really like to know what this is before i pay it. There was one on my TU from the same CA for a lesser amouint of $197 but i believe the dates were close if not the same. I cant find an old copy of my TU reports here at my office, so maybe they are at home. So, with that said, I'm willing to offer something like $100 and PFD. I just want it gone and done for good since it will still show when I go to buy a house next year (over $150k).

Wanting to buy a house next year does complicate matters.

Do you know the OC? If you do contact them and see if they will work with you.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:17:15 GMT

the COMH I'm assuming stands for Community Health which is a hospital here. If I can pay the OC, will that remove the CA's collection on the report? I feel like I should know the answer to this by now considering everything I've done on my accounts

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:23:28 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
the COMH I'm assuming stands for Community Health which is a hospital here. If I can pay the OC, will that remove the CA's collection on the report? I feel like I should know the answer to this by now considering everything I've done on my accounts

Not always automatically but in my limited experience paying an OC has resulted in removal of the CA entry. Yes, yes I know a minority on here disagree with that but it does work that way in some cases. If the OC takes payment what does the CA have to report then? You might still have to ask the CA for a GW deletion after paying the OC but even if they say no the collection will be paid and that will clear the way for your mortgage application.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:49:13 GMT

I dont know if we can discuss this, but should I send the Pre-Hipaa letter to EQ without opting out? What does opting out have to do with anything anyhow?

I will call the OC and see if they have anything on this account, if not I suppose I will mail a PFD to the CA. Being out of SOL and so old, do you think offering a $100 on the $250 is acceptable? Or should I DV them since I still dont know what it is, even though I'm sure they have mailed me stuff, but I've moved so I havent received anything.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:59:31 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
I dont know if we can discuss this, but should I send the Pre-Hipaa letter to EQ without opting out? What does opting out have to do with anything anyhow?

I will call the OC and see if they have anything on this account, if not I suppose I will mail a PFD to the CA. Being out of SOL and so old, do you think offering a $100 on the $250 is acceptable? Or should I DV them since I still dont know what it is, even though I'm sure they have mailed me stuff, but I've moved so I havent received anything.

I know less than nothing about the HIPAA process so I can't help you there.

You can send them a DV. I know it's technically way past the normal 30 day limit to send one but all they can do is ignore you.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:33:29 GMT

Hmm... after re-reading the Pre-Hipaa letter it seems almost like a DV, only to the CRA. Maybe I'll send both, I dont see a reason not to.. maybe someone with the Pre-Hipaa past experience will chime in.

I'm going to send this DV, that was posted by Ilecs, to the CA:

Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on month/day/yr. Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692(g) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.

This is NOT a request for "verification" or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named title and section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following: a detailed accounting of the debt, the name and address of the original creditor, and the original account number. Also, please show me that you are licensed to collect in this state and provide me with your license numbers and your Registered Agent info.

Failure to respond, in writing, and in a timely manner, will serve as a waiver to any and all of your claims in this matter and that this matter is permanently closed. Please provide the requested information or correct your records and immediately request the removal of this invalid debt from all sources to which you may have reported.

For the purposes of 15 USC 1692 et seq., this Notice has the same effect as a dispute to the validity of the alleged debt and a dispute to the validity of your claims. This Notice is an attempt to correct your records, and any information received from you will be retained should further action become necessary.

Your anticipated cooperation in this regard is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Then I will follow up with a PFD. Still going to call the OC as well before I drop them in the mail box.

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:34:12 GMT

I called the OC and they confused me slightly. The customer service woman told me that I can pay them but in order to get a balance, etc i would need to get that from Landmark, the CA. So that says that the CA is assigned. I asked if I paid the balance over the phone immediately would they be able to pull the account back from Landmark and have it removed from the report. She said that i would have to contact Landmark regardless. Hmm.

so I guess back to the letter above... I dont have the collection letter so can I change the first line to "This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me regarding account number 334XXXX." That is the only account number I have listed on my CR. Yes.. the 4 X's are listed in the actual account number. I'm not masking the last 4 digits. So is that enough for them to identify the account? Or am I going to have to call them?

Re: Medical collection from 2005 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:37:43 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
I called the OC and they confused me slightly. The customer service woman told me that I can pay them but in order to get a balance, etc i would need to get that from Landmark, the CA. So that says that the CA is assigned. I asked if I paid the balance over the phone immediately would they be able to pull the account back from Landmark and have it removed from the report. She said that i would have to contact Landmark regardless. Hmm.

so I guess back to the letter above... I dont have the collection letter so can I change the first line to "This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me regarding account number 334XXXX." That is the only account number I have listed on my CR. Yes.. the 4 X's are listed in the actual account number. I'm not masking the last 4 digits. So is that enough for them to identify the account? Or am I going to have to call them?

It sounds like the CSR didn't have a clue what you were talking about which is not unusual.

Your name and that much of the account number should be enough for them.

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

LIGHTNIN — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:33:56 GMT

Hi Brandon SS,

Just jumping in here, to let you know about my experiences with Medical collections.

I had no problems with the CA's deleting the information,once the debt was paid

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:30:20 GMT

Do you think it would be acceptable to call this CA or even fax them the letter I have on page 2 of this thread? I cant find an email address, not sure they even have a webpage or domain but I do know their fax info and their phone number.

My goal would be to settle this account and PFD even though I have no clue what this is for.. I just want it removed now.

If I call them I dont know how to go about a PFD settle offer verbally... plus I would want written confirmation.

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:29:41 GMT

I should add more to asking if i should call. This CA also has another account that I got removed from my TU CR. I disputed it as not mine (I didnt/dont know what it is) and it came off. So my worry is calling them and attempting to settle the one thats reporting, will they hound me about the other as well?

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:58:32 GMT

bump for the above 2 posts by myself.

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

LIGHTNIN — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:52:30 GMT

Sorry for the late reply, But the way I see it..... is if you send a DV the CA may not reply and sell the debt to another CA.

So if you just want it paid, i would suggest starting with a simple PFD letter.

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:13:48 GMT

Thanks for the reply. A couple questions:

1. Can i do this via telephone?

2. Can I Fax them a PFD?

3. Being that is is beyond the SOL, I have no idea what the medical bill would be from, and that it is only $250, what would a good "Offer" be for a PFD? This is falling off my report in 2011.

Thanks!

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:18:44 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
Thanks for the reply. A couple questions:

1. Can i do this via telephone?
2. Can I Fax them a PFD?
3. Being that is is beyond the SOL, I have no idea what the medical bill would be from, and that it is only $250, what would a good "Offer" be for a PFD? This is falling off my report in 2011.

Thanks!

1. I would do everything by mail to keep a paper trail.

2. I don't know about this.

3. I would offer the entire $250 just to take care of it once and for all.

This is just how I would handle it.

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

BrandonSS — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:48:49 GMT

Well I've sent a DV and a PFD... they replied to neither. Yest before both i disputed with EQ and it came back as verified. How did they verify this if I cant get a response?

What should I do now?

Re: Medical collection from 2004 - how did I miss this?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:11:18 GMT

@BrandonSS wrote:
Well I've sent a DV and a PFD... they replied to neither. Yest before both i disputed with EQ and it came back as verified. How did they verify this if I cant get a response?

What should I do now?

I must admit you've done more about this than I ever would. At this point I would either:

1. Pay the full amount and at least not have that worry hanging over my head or

2. Wait and see what a lender will require you to do when you apply for a mortgage.

Sometimes the stress is just not worth it. Especially for only $250.