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OK so to make a long story short, I've been trying to remove the last remaining PAID collection off of my CR. This has been PIF since 2008. I have sent GW after GW and nothing, so decided to go the HIPPA route.
I sent the 1st certified letter to the CA on 11/7/12 basically demanding them to verify this as being my account and to provide proof from the OC of the debt. A few days later I received a very generic letter that simply just had the date of service, the name of the patient (my son), the name of the OC and showing a $0 balance. This was a simple hand typed letter with no original documents, something anyone could have typed up.
I then decided to just file a complaint with the BBB, hoping this would be the end of the line. I just received a response back from the BBB, in which the CA's response was:
"We received your original request 11-8-12. The law gives us 30 days for our investigation. Your itemized statement was mailed to you at (address) on 12-3-12. This will remain on your credit reports as paid in full."
I haven't received the "itemized statement" from them yet, but know the OC is no longer in business and hasn't been in years, so I'm curious to see what this CA has come up with this time. What do I do from here? Do I continue with the next step in the HIPAA process? I don't want to give up at this point, but feel I can do something, surely, to get them to remove this, I just don't know the correct steps/process to follow.
Can someone pleeeease help me? I'd really appreciate it and would be extremely greatful to have this dang thing removed from my CR's...never thought a 4 year old collection (and the ONLY collection on my EX & TU) still be affecting me as it has
Can you follow up with the better business bureau and tell them that they did not adequately provide proof of the debt? Say that you cannot reach the original creditor, and that you do not recall owing them money. A typed up generic letter from the CA does not prove anything. If that were the case, this CA could type up bills for anybody and say they came from an out-of-business company. It wouldn't hurt to try rebutting with that arguement, if you can do that with the BBB.
@annielorie wrote:Is this the oc that is reporting it as paid
Nope it's the CA. The OC is no longer in business and never reported it to the CB's, only the CA has.
@jandj80 wrote:Can you follow up with the better business bureau and tell them that they did not adequately provide proof of the debt? Say that you cannot reach the original creditor, and that you do not recall owing them money. A typed up generic letter from the CA does not prove anything. If that were the case, this CA could type up bills for anybody and say they came from an out-of-business company. It wouldn't hurt to try rebutting with that arguement, if you can do that with the BBB.
I think that's what I'm planning on doing next after I receive whatever they sent me this week because I'm pretty sure it still doesn't meet the criteria they are required to provide. I think the thing that's most confusing about this whole thing is the fact that it IS paid. Most people dispute when there's a balance still owed, but this one has a $0 balance.
Chances are if it has zero balance and OC is out of business CA is out of luck they cant verify a debt with a company that no longer exists. If BBB doesnt work send letter to CA with a demand for the people and company used to verify account. They will then delete
Did you try a GW at any point?