Unclear about med bill collection dates

[Anonymous]

I had an unpaid medical bill for ~250 (the bill was sent to a former address).
I don't even remember the appointment, but it states:

Account opened: Jan 2001
Last activity: Mar 2004
Status: 120+ days past due
Description: Medical, Collection Account

I have never done anything with it, so I am guessing "Last activity" is the date it was sold off to a collection agency.

This is bad because most of my bad credit is very old with the exception of this account (also mostly due to bills sent to incorrect addresses).

Are they allowed to list this account as 2004?
Since it is still technically listed as a late (but still opened) account, if I just pay the amount I fear it will update "date of last activity" to 2008, which would be terrible.

Of course, I will try a pay for delete, but I thought I would check here before possibly making a poor decision, and to see if they are allowed to date this as 2004 (and potentially 2008) when it's from 2001.

[Anonymous]

Do not dispute with the CRAs!!!!!  they will notify the CA reporting & will update. Also the CA might start updating the debt every month.

I would first call the OC (Dr.) and ask for the date that you had the appts.  That is the start of your SOL and CRTP.

The date that the CA is reporting is the date that it was assign to them OR they bought the account.

If you never made a payment after the service date (Dr.appt) and it was in 2001.........this should drop from your CR in 2009.

Usually a CA doesn't report the DOFD/DOLA      they report only the date that they open the account....this is NOT the date that you started the debt!!

If you can PAY the OC (they must still own the account)  do so!! ask them to please send you a bill!!! 

   that bill will have the date that is very importent & is proof of DOLA!  this can be used to against the CA for SOL And will tell you when it must be dropped from your CR!!

If they do not OWN (they sold it to a ca)  then you must deal with the CA. BUT ask for a bill anyway

If sold that date doesn't affect the DOFD/DOLA!!!

When talking to the OC  I would not say 1 word about the CA if possable.  I would not send a PFD if the OC will accept payment.

If the CA is not updating  they might have returned it to the OC. The OC is NOT reporting.

The bill is KEY.

After paying the OC   wait 1 or 2 months  then DV the CA  CMRRR

NOW  if the OC tells you that you owe from (date) 2000  then I would ask

Message Edited by HappyDays on 04-06-2008 11:43 AM