Almost to a Happy Ending...

[IchiEmperor]

I just want to share a brief story (after writing it.... not so brief), and ask a few questions. I'm 23 (in 2 days) and a recent graduate from the University of Washington. During my Junior year I experienced a horrible skiing accident and needed surgery. Long story short, it ended up costing me about $15,000 (after interest).

Being an independent person (as my family is composed entirely of puerile degenerates), I was unaware of the government program (DDS I believe) and was left to foot the bill. Now, keep in mind I'm already working and taking out loans to pay for school. Moving forward through time, I was unable to pay the bills (notice the "S") and received about 6 lovely CA (collection accounts). Not knowing anything about "credit scores" or what "FICO" was, I set out to revive my credit score (everybody wants to own a house right?). Here is what I was facing:

//Multiple $ amount = Multiple Accounts//

(Relating to my broken leg)
1. Physical Therapy - $486
2. Anesthesiologist - $320
3. Doctor's Visit - $336
4. Misc. Doctor's Fee - $25
5. X-rays and whatever (three accounts!) - $239, $239, $944
6. Surgery - $13,444

(Other Instances, mostly family)
7. Ambulance Ride (I was the victim of a random crime)- $691
8. Hospital Bill (Cat Scan for Brain Swelling in above instance) - $2,210
9. Dentist Bill (I was 18 and my mom was "taking care of it") - $188,$64
10. A garbage bill (my mom used my name... when I was 16) - $168

This is what I found when I got a credit report. I almost **** my pants. You may ask yourself, "How could this kid be so irresponsible and not know?". Well, I was at college (so I didn't get mail that was sent to my mothers) and I had no idea WTF a credit score was. Not to mention I was poor... so I couldn't really pay the bills anyway.

So here's what happened. I "manned" up, took responsibility and here's how I got rid of MOST of my CAs.

1. This is where I learned that you could "settle debt" if you pay in full. The person told me that if I payed in fulled, she would remove the debt. I said "awesome". I got it in writing... bam! Gone.

2. See 1 directly above!

3/4. Refuted them via "snail mail" and they were found to be "invalid". Awesome.

5. Join payment (I paid a lower amount). Its still on my credit report. Any advice on removing it?

6. I'm working with BoA for a loan to pay the amount in full (and have it removed from all three credit agencies). Plus they're giving me a better rate than the debt (which is at 12%)

7. Apparently L&I has a program for this. After paying the bill myself I just (as in this month) received a refund. I've been working on this account since February 2008 and I can't express how much patience can be a virtue. I called about once a week and I just received my note saying that they're removing it and my refund.

8. See above, and: When I got the "reply in 30 days..." letter that's when I called them to discuss options. Moral: don't be afraid to talk with the creditor (or person you owe money) they're usually more than willing to work with them. Just don't lie, and don't fail to complete what you've promised. Also, be sure that you tell them if something changes. So many people evade them that when they talk to someone they're usually pretty willing.

9. Paid 'em. I'm trying to find a way to remove from reports. Advise?

10. I paid this one. It's still on my account. I got into an argument with the people there about the validity of it (since I was 16, and I didn't sign it). They told me that I'd have to take "criminal action" against my mother. I'm still trying to brainstorm ways to mend this account. Advice?

So, 13 CA accounts later I'm left with only 6 CAs (well 8 in total, but two are coming off soon). One of which I don't think I'm responsible for. All of them are "paid" except about $9k on the surgery one (that's the loan from BoA I'm working on).

Two final things:

I. Medical Debt sucks. Period.
II. Any advise on how to:

1. Get rid of accounts that you've already "paid" for but didn't negotiate to get ride of them when you had real leverage...
2. Find some way of making #10 pursue the person who was really responsible for it... instead of me?

Thanks everybody!

Cheers,
Rob

TU:658 - EX: 590 - EQ: 625
(I'm hoping these will go up when I get the rest of the BIG account off of delinquency!)

[Anonymous]

For number "10" if the debt arose when you were only 16, and you're 23 now, it should be off your CRs -- or soon to be, I would think. I can't imagine that a garbage bill would be exempt from the 7-7.75 year rule.

However, you can DV them. Make them PROVE that they have your signature somewhere or any evidence that YOU opened the account.

You might also want to remember that in most states, you can't enter into a contract under the age of 18. In most states, a contract with a minor is unenforceable. Have you checked the contract laws providing for minors in your state?? If it's applicable (meaning, if it's unenforceable in your state), you could use that as a defense to the debt. And see if they'll budge on that basis.