what are my options?

[Anonymous]

I have a collection for $654.  Supposedly for a dental procedure.  But here's the deal:

I used to be a dental assistant.  While I worked for this dentist, he pulled my wisdom teeth free of charge.  So there was never a bill.

It has been over 10 years since I worked for him and since the procedure was done.  I left on good terms.

Well, in June of 2008 a collection popped up from SARMA (the CA).

I didn't know about the HIPAA process and I disputed via the CRAs.  They all came back verified.  After finding this site I sent a DV letter to the CA on Jan 22, 09.  The CA is local and I got the green card back signed the next day.  However, I have never been contacted by the CA.  I called the OC and the receptionist refused to let me speak to the dentist and told me to contact the CA.  Which I refuse to do by phone.

What is my next move?

Should I start the HIPAA process?

SInce the CA recieved my DV over 60 days ago and hasn't responded, aside from verifying the account with the CBs, what can I do now? 

I guess technically it is out of SOL as well.  I live in TX, the OC and CA are both in TX as well.

I have pasted the info from my TU report below.  It is the same on all 3 reports.

SARMA  COLLECTIONS #XXXXXX  

Balance: 

$654  

Date Verified: 

03/2009  

Original Balance: 

$654 

Original Creditor: 

MED1 02 STEVEN ALBRIGHT DDS 

Past Due: 

>$654< 

Pay Status: 

>Collection Account<  

Account Type: 

Open Account  

Responsibility: 

Individual Account  

Loan Type: Collection Agency Attorney

Remark: 

>Placed for collection<

Date placed for collection: [ 06/2008] 

Estimated date that this item will be removed:   10/2014

[fused]

Since the treatment date is more than seven years ago, this collection should not be on your reports. What is the DOFD (date of first default) on your reports?

[Anonymous]

I don't know. 

I have all 3 reports from the CBs in front of me.  I just got EQ.  And it is not on there.

It is on EX and TU, but I don't find the DOFD on either report.

EX has:

Date opened: 06/2008

Reported since: 07/2008

Date of status: 08/2008

Last reported 03/2009

Status details: acct is scheduled to continue on record until aug 2014.  item was verifed on Mar 2009 and remains unchanged.

TU has:

date placed for collection: 06/2008

date verifed: 03/2008

estimated date the item will be removed: 10/2014

there are no other dates on either report regarding this account

[fused]

Are you sure the treatment you received was more than seven years ago? And, do you have any way of proving it?

[Anonymous]

The only proof  I could think of would maybe be dental records (lol)

Since there was never a bill or statement.  No ins. was involved. It was free due to employment.

And yes, I am sure it was close to 10 yrs ago.

[fused]

The first thing I would do is request a copy of your dental records. While waiting for those records, you should do the first two steps in the HIPAA letter process. Do not send any pre-HIPAA disputes yet. BTW, if you have to, can you afford to pay this debt if you absolutely have to?

1.) You must Opt Out of two things: Your Credit Reports and All Creditors. The first one ensures that the CRAs will not sell your personal data to anyone else (haha…no more data mining). The second one will prevent JDBs (and CAs) from buying and selling bogus collections.

Use this link to opt-out of your credit reports

OPT-OUT CREDIT REPORTS (or call 1.888.567.8688)

Use this link to opt-out from all of your CURRENT creditors that you're in GOOD standing with. Do not attempt to opt-out with any CAs or current creditors that you're in BAD standing with (i.e. charge-offs, or currently late).

OPT-OUT ALL CREDITORS

2.)  Also, be sure to update your personal information with the CRA's before attempting to reestablish your credit.

[Anonymous]

If I had to I could pay it.

I have already done the first couple of steps because i went through the HIPAA process for other med collections.

Those have been smooth sailing compared to this.

[fused]

After you receive your dental records, let us know what you turn up.