My wife took my kids to a dentist back in 1999. The unpaid balance ended up going to collections and subsequently has found it's way to my credit report. I never signed anything with the dentist. We are married bu can they put that on my report?
Did you use your insurance card? it has your ssn on it, eg Blue Cross Blue Shield. Pretty sick eh? I think thats considered illegal, might want to talk to an attorney about that.
I called the CA and they said that I needed to talk to the original creditor (dentist) because they did not have backup. I sent a letter certified mail demanding backup in 10 days. What should be my next step?
Re: wifes collection on my credit r Check the state on law (call state attorney general). This situation screwed me earlier in the year. Apparently in North Carolina (where I live), collection agenices can come after spouses for medical debts if the policy is in the spouse's name (even if the debt was not). We even received requested and received a letter from the hospital explaining that the orignal invoice was in my wife's name and I should not be associated with the bill at all. However, when we produced this letter to the collevtion agency, they explained the law and said that they would not remove it from MY credit report, even though it wal already paid. We call the AG's office in NC and they confirmed it. This still bothers me a great deal, but I guess I have to live with it. If your state has similar laws then you might have to go through the same thing....
Re: wifes collection on my credit r The reporting laws (Federal) specifically state that a married woman or has been married woman in this case, has her OWN credit history. This was done because many times after divorce all credit was in the husband's name. They may and that's a big may, be able to try and collect from you if you had the insurance policy and if a community property state, they shouldn't have it on your credit report though. I'm in a community property state, never divorced, and have medical bills coming out my ears all as a dependant on my husband's health insurance. None of the bills are listed on his report and those that were have since been deleted for just this reason. If I were to die, I understand the creditors could pursue my portion of the estate for payment. Only my portion though. Just because you're married doesn't make you jointly and severally responsible unless a contract is specifically signed that way or one of you are deceased. Sassy
Re: wifes collection on my credit r Ohaji, have you tried submitting that letter to the CRA as proof the debt is not yours? I would think that the letter, along with your specific dispute might do the trick. I've had stuff removed with less than that. Worth a shot. L
Re: wifes collection on my credit r I called the CA and they said that I needed to talk to the original creditor (dentist) because they did not have backup. I sent a letter certified mail demanding backup in 10 days. What should be my next step? bettercr | 13 posts since May 2002 ################################### You should have sent the CA a Val. letter. It is their responsibly to prove it not the OCs.
Re: wifes collection on my credit r We told the CA that we possessed the letter and the CA rep essentially laughed at us. We were so ticked that we called the North Carolina AG's office, and the office confirmed the argument of the CA. We were told by the AG's office that under NC law, there was nothing we could do. Just for clarification, the bill was for my daughter which was placed in my wife's name because she was checked in at the doctor by my wife.
Re: wifes collection on my credit r I am not sure what the legal details are. I AM the primary holder of the policy and we do not live in a community property state. My argument was that I, form a technical point of view, never received a bill or a collection notice regarding the bill. Everything was sent to my wife since that was the name that the hospital used for billing. As a result, the CA unilaterally decided to placed the collection account on MY report. It just seems completely fishy. If anyone has a quick reference to the federal provisions on this matter, I would greatly appreciate it....
Re: wifes collection on my credit r ohajih, I'll find my original sources for you, I can't do anything until this evening. I'm harried into a spiralling updo for graduation, LOL, hope you understand -- I'll post back tonight. Sassy
Re: wifes collection on my credit r It's the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Equal Credit Opportunity: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/ecoa.htm ECOA, US Code: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/15/1691.html MSNMoney: http://www.msmoney.com/mm/banking/crdtagencies/impact.htm Credit agencies separate individual credit from joint credit, so as long as you have your own income, you can have your own credit history--even if you take your husband's last name. When creditors make reports, they are required by law to report information on JOINT accounts in both of the individual's names Credit in your own name -- the Equal Credit Opportunity Act bans credit discrimination on several grounds, such as age, sex, and MARITAL STATUS. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ww1/04-04.html Why should I keep my own credit rating: Joint accounts will prove handy for taking care of shared expenses, like the rent or mortgage, even just the groceries. Even so, many experts recommend that each spouse keep one account - one for him and one for her (under her maiden name). Not only will this protect you if something should happen to your spouse, but it also enables both partners to maintain a current credit rating. A credit rating is like your financial ID card - an absolute neccesity to be eligible for all kinds of services. For instance, apply for a phone number and most telephone companies will check your credit rating before giving you a line. Since both partners often work and share the load equally in a modern marriage, it makes life easier if both can make independent decisions without requiring their spouse to co-sign (often the case if one of you lacks a credit rating). When you share a joint account, or a joint mortgage, one partner will be the primary account holder while the other partner is named the co-applicant. The credit rating is assigned automatically to the primary account holder, regardless of income or other considerations. If you don't wish to keep separate accounts, then consider alternating the primary so that both partners maintain their credit rating. *** Publications are available from the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference, 6th and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580, or call 1-202-326-2222. Brochures include "Credit Problems" and "Women and Credit Histories." Sassy
