Phantom Collection, HELP!!!!

Anonymous · ‎03-17-2021

Good Evening Family,

I have a phantom Collection on my Equifax report, it doesn't have any information other than an X'd out account #. There isn't a collection company name, original creditor, address or anything. It is for $75 and I truly have no idea what or where it came from. I would never skip out on a $75 bill, I spend that when I think about Target 🥴🥴. What can I do in addition to disputing it with Equifax? I'm truly confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thornback · ‎03-17-2021

Dang well that sucks - sorry.

Have you tried pulling your reports from annualcreditreport.com to see if it has more info included in the tradeline? Sincr these reports are the most comprehensive it may provide some insight/contact info.

Personal Aphorism:"Forget What You Feel, Remember What You Deserve"

Starting FICO 8s | 09/2017: EX 641 ✦ EQ 634 ✦ TU 647
Current FICO 8s | 04/2022: EX 796 ✦ EQ 793 ✦ TU 790
Current FICO 9s | 04/2022: EX 790 ✦ EQ 788 ✦ TU 782
2022 Goal Score | 800s

My AAoA: 4.6 years not incl. AU / 4.9 years incl. AU
My AoOA: 9.2 years not incl. AU / 11.2 years incl. AU
Inquiries: EX 0/12 ✦ EQ 0/12 ✦ TU 0/12
Report Status: Clean
Garden Status:

Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.

Anonymous · ‎03-17-2021

@thornback wrote:
Dang well that sucks - sorry.

Have you tried pulling your reports from annualcreditreport.com to see if it has more info included in the tradeline? Sincr these reports are the most comprehensive it may provide some insight/contact info.

I just did and it timed out but shows that I pulled it already this week, when I refreshed. I have to wait a week now 🥴🥴. Honestly I don't even care where it came from I'd gladly pay it to get it off, even though I know it doesn't work that way. I want to App for a PenFed card in a few weeks I hope this doesn't get in the way.

thornback · ‎03-17-2021

@Anonymous wrote:
@thornback wrote:
Dang well that sucks - sorry.

Have you tried pulling your reports from annualcreditreport.com to see if it has more info included in the tradeline? Sincr these reports are the most comprehensive it may provide some insight/contact info.
I just did and it timed out but shows that I pulled it already this week, when I refreshed. I have to wait a week now 🥴🥴. Honestly I don't even care where it came from I'd gladly pay it to get it off, even though I know it doesn't work that way. I want to App for a PenFed card in a few weeks I hope this doesn't get in the way.

Understood- I was hoping that the ACR would provide some contact info so you can proceed with a resolution. Otherwise, you'll have to dispute it and hope they provide some verfication/contact info - but that could take 30-45 days and it could end up being deleted with no additional info provided only to randomly pop up again later...

You can try calling EQ to see if an agent can provide any additional info on the tradeline.

Personal Aphorism:"Forget What You Feel, Remember What You Deserve"

Starting FICO 8s | 09/2017: EX 641 ✦ EQ 634 ✦ TU 647
Current FICO 8s | 04/2022: EX 796 ✦ EQ 793 ✦ TU 790
Current FICO 9s | 04/2022: EX 790 ✦ EQ 788 ✦ TU 782
2022 Goal Score | 800s

My AAoA: 4.6 years not incl. AU / 4.9 years incl. AU
My AoOA: 9.2 years not incl. AU / 11.2 years incl. AU
Inquiries: EX 0/12 ✦ EQ 0/12 ✦ TU 0/12
Report Status: Clean
Garden Status:

Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.

Anonymous · ‎03-18-2021

.

Anonymous · ‎03-18-2021

@thornback wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@thornback wrote:
Dang well that sucks - sorry.

Have you tried pulling your reports from annualcreditreport.com to see if it has more info included in the tradeline? Sincr these reports are the most comprehensive it may provide some insight/contact info.
I just did and it timed out but shows that I pulled it already this week, when I refreshed. I have to wait a week now 🥴🥴. Honestly I don't even care where it came from I'd gladly pay it to get it off, even though I know it doesn't work that way. I want to App for a PenFed card in a few weeks I hope this doesn't get in the way.
Understood- I was hoping that the ACR would provide some contact info so you can proceed with a resolution. Otherwise, you'll have to dispute it and hope they provide some verfication/contact info - but that could take 30-45 days and it could end up being deleted with no additional info provided only to randomly pop up again later...

You can try calling EQ to see if an agent can provide any additional info on the tradeline.

I tracked down the CA it's Receivables Management Systems it's a medical bill for $79 that is $62 of interest and fees on a $17 balance SMH!!!!! The original debt was posted 10/01/2017 it is only on my Equifax and my only collection. I know we aren't suppose to pay CAs because it will still show as a negative but do you think a PFD would work for such a small amount?

thornback · ‎03-18-2021

@Anonymous wrote:

I tracked down the CA it's Receivables Management Systems it's a medical bill for $79 that is $62 of interest and fees on a $17 balance SMH!!!!! The original debt was posted 10/01/2017 it is only on my Equifax and my only collection. I know we aren't suppose to pay CAs because it will still show as a negative but do you think a PFD would work for such a small amount?

Glad you were able to track it down.

First - It's not that you don't pay CAs, it's that you should always try for a PFD first. Even If they refuse a PFD, paying it is often necessary as a preventative measure (keep the tradeline from updating regularly, avoiding lawsuits, avoiding resale or transfer of the debt, etc.). If the CA is old, not updatng/close to the 7 year mark and/or out of SOL, then people may decide let the debt go unpaid as potential damage at that point may be minimal. Anyone who flatly says never pay CAs is honestly not giving very good advice - you have to look at the whole picture.

Anyways... back to this debt... try to have it removed:

1. Contact the original medical facility and see if insurance can be billed, (or-rebilled); collections ultimately paid by insurance get removed per rules developed from CRAs settlement with 22 state AGs. If not then,
2. ask that they (medical facility) recall the collection in exchange for full payment; if not then,
3. Send CA a PFD offer
4. If none of that works then you can pay it and then send a goodwill request to the CA after payment to see if they'll remove as a goodfaith gesture, or-- Google the HIPAA Process (we can't discuss that in the forums).

Personal Aphorism:"Forget What You Feel, Remember What You Deserve"

Starting FICO 8s | 09/2017: EX 641 ✦ EQ 634 ✦ TU 647
Current FICO 8s | 04/2022: EX 796 ✦ EQ 793 ✦ TU 790
Current FICO 9s | 04/2022: EX 790 ✦ EQ 788 ✦ TU 782
2022 Goal Score | 800s

My AAoA: 4.6 years not incl. AU / 4.9 years incl. AU
My AoOA: 9.2 years not incl. AU / 11.2 years incl. AU
Inquiries: EX 0/12 ✦ EQ 0/12 ✦ TU 0/12
Report Status: Clean
Garden Status:

Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.

Anonymous · ‎03-18-2021

@thornback wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

I tracked down the CA it's Receivables Management Systems it's a medical bill for $79 that is $62 of interest and fees on a $17 balance SMH!!!!! The original debt was posted 10/01/2017 it is only on my Equifax and my only collection. I know we aren't suppose to pay CAs because it will still show as a negative but do you think a PFD would work for such a small amount?
Glad you were able to track it down.

First - It's not that you don't pay CAs, it's that you should always try for a PFD first. Even If they refuse a PFD, paying it is often necessary as a preventative measure (keep the tradeline from updating regularly, avoiding lawsuits, avoiding resale or transfer of the debt, etc.). If the CA is old, not updatng/close to the 7 year mark and/or out of SOL, then people may decide let the debt go unpaid as potential damage at that point may be minimal. Anyone who flatly says never pay CAs is honestly not giving very good advice - you have to look at the whole picture.

Anyways... back to this debt... try to have it removed:
1. Contact the original medical facility and see if insurance can be billed, (or-rebilled); collections ultimately paid by insurance get removed per rules developed from CRAs settlement with 22 state AGs. If not then,
2. ask that they (medical facility) recall the collection in exchange for full payment; if not then,
3. Send CA a PFD offer
4. If none of that works then you can pay it and then send a goodwill request to the CA after payment to see if they'll remove as a goodfaith gesture, or-- Google the HIPAA Process (we can't discuss that in the forums).

Thanks I really appreciate the information and the wisdom before that. I will call the original creditor in the morning.

thornback · ‎03-18-2021

@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks I really appreciate the information and the wisdom before that. I will call the original creditor in the morning.

YW! Please update with your progress or come back and ask any other questions you may have.

Personal Aphorism:"Forget What You Feel, Remember What You Deserve"

Starting FICO 8s | 09/2017: EX 641 ✦ EQ 634 ✦ TU 647
Current FICO 8s | 04/2022: EX 796 ✦ EQ 793 ✦ TU 790
Current FICO 9s | 04/2022: EX 790 ✦ EQ 788 ✦ TU 782
2022 Goal Score | 800s

My AAoA: 4.6 years not incl. AU / 4.9 years incl. AU
My AoOA: 9.2 years not incl. AU / 11.2 years incl. AU
Inquiries: EX 0/12 ✦ EQ 0/12 ✦ TU 0/12
Report Status: Clean
Garden Status:

Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.

Anonymous · ‎03-19-2021

@thornback wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Thanks I really appreciate the information and the wisdom before that. I will call the original creditor in the morning.
YW! Please update with your progress or come back and ask any other questions you may have.

Called the OC, Patient 1st, paid the original remaining balance. The rep said they update the CAs weekly and it will be removed from collections. Hopefully this gives me a few point boost.

Thanks again for your guidance, much appreciated.