removing Collection Account

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I have a health care collection account and disparately trying to remove it from my Credit History. Here's the story. I went for a checkup in a hospital and i had a bill for $495. I moved to new place and changed the address directing all my mails to new address. Hospital send me the bill but i never got one. then one day i got a call from Collection account saying i have to pay that amount. i agreed to pay the amount if i get the bill in my mail as a proof and gave my new address to send the bill. But still i got no bill at all and one day i saw a collection account in my credit history.

i called the hospital and they gave me the CA number where i called and told i would pay in 2 installment. i even asked for the receipt that i paid but i never got one also they said all the mails they mailed me was return to them. they correctly verified my mailing address but i never got one. i immediately paid it .

I thought they should remove it but never got removed. (later on when i researched on line i found i should have asked for removal letter for clearing the payment). i paid the full amount next time. i waited for some months but still no sign of removal. I send a request mail for removing it but i got no response. instead recently i saw in my Credit history,my Status as PAID/equifax Paid account/was a collection/experian Automated account/ TU.

I need help/any kind of suggestion to remove it from my account as i am trying to refinance my auto loan and trying to buy new home. i used to have very good credit score and it drastically dropped.

Please advice me with possibility, i even want to go legally if some one can guarantee.(I am here in mesa/Arizona ).

I have research online but got no good information. i know i should have asked for removal letter before i pay. i made mistake but there must be some other ways too. Your Kind help , suggestion is greatly appreciated.

thanks to all who respond to this.

[Anonymous]

Legally it can stay on your report for 7 years. You can try a GW letter to the CA to see if they will remove it since it is paid.

[RobertEG]

The relevant date is only the date of last delinquency that led to the collection account.  Dates of activities after that date are irrelevant. 

When it was placed into collection, whether the account is currently open or closed,  or whether or not any payments were later made is irrelevant to inclusion in your CR.  Period.

When was the last delinquency?  that is all that matters.....

Once 7 years plus six months from the date of delinquency has expired, it may no longer be reported in your CR under section 605(a)(4) of the FCRA.

Beyond that, I see no legal recourse for getting it removed.  It was legit.

Message Edited by RobertEG on 07-07-2008 10:13 PM

[Anonymous]

"Beyond that, I see no legal recourse for getting it removed. It was legit." Wow, kind of an in-your-face kind of response. To the OP, like the other responder said, try to write them a letter explaining the situation. I would try not to have too high expectations because, as the guy above so nicely reminded you, it was legit and it can stay for 7 years. But you never know, and it doesn't hurt to try.

[llecs]

To echo, no legal recourse.

As mentioned, send a GW. After a few attempts, try sending a DV for this paid CA.