Collection Agency just showed up out of no where

[Anonymous]

I've been sitting at a nice 730 and have been working for the last 2 years to clean up my credit.  I know I can get it higher once a few things fall off my report, however today, 2 notices showed up on my report from a collection agency.  Both are from a CA called Account Recovery Service.  The report gives them a PO box in Oxnard Ca however online I see addresses in Wisconsin or Arizona for two different companies.

The amount on one is $50 and the amount on the other is for $51.  The OC is for Sunrise Medical Group and was opened in May 2009.

So to start with here, I have no idea what this is for.  I was never notified or contacted, in writing or by phone about any outstanding accounts for Sunrise Medical and further more I had no medical, vision or dental treatments in 2009 at all, and previously probably not since mid 2008. 

Currently this report appears to only be on my Experian report, however it took my score down by almost 100 points!  I've filed a dispute with Experian and plan on calling them later today to speak with someone about it.

What else can I do?  What should I do?  Could this be identity theft and how do I handle that?

I had a collection agency contact me before about a bill and it seemed as if when I contacted them everything on my report got updated as if I acknowledged the accuracy.  The last thing I want to do is call or supply them with information where they can begin to reach me or say that I've validated their report.

Other than calling the credit bureaus and disputing, what else can I do to ensure it gets removed.

HELP!

[Anonymous]

Disputing with the CRAs will probably get you nowhere.

Send the CA a DV letter.

[Anonymous]

I called the CA and they said that it is definitely not in my name but I'm still liable because it was from my ex-wife and that they would not remove it from my report.

I really don't understand how this is even possible.

Not in my name, Not at my address and never notified about the account.

[Anonymous]

Was she your ex-wife at the time of the debt?

Are you in a community property state? 

They can't hold you liable for your ex-wifes debts.

Send them a DV letter.  They have to be able to validate the debt in your name.

[Anonymous]

We were legally separated at the time but not divorced.  We were also living in separate states at the time.  There was no other identification of this because I was unaware of it until now.

How must they verify it's in my name?  Is there anything specific I should write in the DV letter?

Thanks I appreciate your insights.

[Anonymous]

If you were legally separated, you may be liable for it.  Generally, medical debt goes on the report of the one who has the insurance.  Some states allow for it to go on both spouse reports.

Just send a letter CMRRR.  "Please validate this debt.  Account number xxxxxx". 

Don't give them any information as it is their job to prove you owe the debt.

[Anonymous]

On one side I understand that I may be liable for the debt itself (although I would argue that as well) but on the other side is the appearance of this collections on my credit report.  How are they allowed to submit this to my credit report when I had no knowledge of the billing and have never been asked to pay it.  Not even a warning.

I'll put together a DV in the meantime.

[GregB]

I would post the info in Relationships and Money. Include the state of residency for the divorce and the state where each party lived when the charges were made. I understand your divorce was not final when the charges were made, correct? These all may be relevant.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

On one side I understand that I may be liable for the debt itself (although I would argue that as well) but on the other side is the appearance of this collections on my credit report.  How are they allowed to submit this to my credit report when I had no knowledge of the billing and have never been asked to pay it.  Not even a warning.

I'll put together a DV in the meantime.

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Was the insurance in your name?

[Anonymous]

Yes.  The insurance was in my name through my employer at the time.  However that portion of the bill was paid through the insurance company.  I have no idea what this charge is.  It could have been a co-pay or some additional expense NOT covered by insurance.  Again, do not know what it is.