Confusing Phantom Account.... Help!!!

[Anonymous]

This is showing up on my husband's Equifax report (only this one, not reporting to the other two). He doesn't know what it is so we disputed it with EQ and I guess they verified so it remains on his report:

Medical Billing Association
Date opened: 5/2008
Date reported: 9/2010
Balance: $0

So I have my husband call this morning and try to find out what this is... Medical Billing Association says that they sold the debt ($98) to Transworld. They say that they can't remove it and that if my husband pays Transworld, Transworld will contact Medical Billing Association and the they will get it removed. However, there is no mention of any accounts with Transworld on any of his credit reports. 

Should I call and ask if Medical Billing Association  will take it back from Transworld and do a PFD? Seems odd to go seek out a CA that isn't reporting and try to pay them.. With my luck they will then decide they want to report and then he will have 2 bad accounts. 

Any advice?

[DaBears]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

This is showing up on my husband's Equifax report (only this one, not reporting to the other two). He doesn't know what it is so we disputed it with EQ and I guess they verified so it remains on his report:

Medical Billing Association
Date opened: 5/2008
Date reported: 9/2010
Balance: $0

So I have my husband call this morning and try to find out what this is... Medical Billing Association says that they sold the debt ($98) to Transworld. They say that they can't remove it and that if my husband pays Transworld, Transworld will contact Medical Billing Association and the they will get it removed. However, there is no mention of any accounts with Transworld on any of his credit reports. 

Should I call and ask if Medical Billing Association  will take it back from Transworld and do a PFD? Seems odd to go seek out a CA that isn't reporting and try to pay them.. With my luck they will then decide they want to report and then he will have 2 bad accounts. 

Any advice?

---

Medical billing association has to remove their TL as to they don't have collection authority anymore. 

[Anonymous]

Isn't Medical Billing a CA also?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses!! Medical Billing Associates is the OC

[Anonymous]

So, are they saying if you pay the CA they will remove their (OC) TL?  If so, I would do it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but like the other poster mentioned, aren't they no longer the collector of this debt? 

I would pay the CA and hope that the OC deletes but this seems fishy to me

[DaBears]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Yes, but like the other poster mentioned, aren't they no longer the collector of this debt? 

I would pay the CA and hope that the OC deletes but this seems fishy to me

---

It was worded as I read that they were a collection agency. If they are the OC all they are required to do is update their TL accordingly. If they said they would delete after the CA receives payment I would get that in writing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I believe that Medical Billing Associates is the OC. However, if I pay the CA (who isn't reporting anywhere right now), can't they decide to report it as a paid collection?

[DaBears]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Yes, I believe that Medical Billing Associates is the OC. However, if I pay the CA (who isn't reporting anywhere right now), can't they decide to report it as a paid collection?

---

I highly doubt it they will report as it would be paid to them and once paid their collection authority is over. The OC will however update their TL to Paid

[Anonymous]

Couldn't I just ask Medical Billing Associates if they will take the debt back and I can pay them? Seeing as how they said they would delete it if it's paid. I want to avoid paying the CA if possible.