Hi. I hope someone can help me with this. I have a medical collection on my Equifax credit report (it's not on TU or Experian). The debt was allegedly contracted shortly before my 18th birthday, however. I'm now 24, so this will come off in about a year anyway. My credit is also otherwise free of negative items. I filed an online dispute with Equifax, explaining that I had no knowledge of the debt, and that I was a minor when the debt was allegedly contracted. They verified the debt, however. Do I have any recourse in getting this removed? Is this legal under the credit laws? The Collection Agency hasn't tried to collect from me at all. I just want them to remove the negative item from my credit report. Also, the OC and debt collector are in Florida, but I now live in California.
First of all, is the "debt" even legitimate, regardless of your responsibility as a minor at the time? Was it from a provider that you actually used, for services that you actually got, and were insurance claims submitted and paid?
I really have no idea. When I was 17, my mother took care of all medical billing issues. I vaguely recall there was some mixup with the insurance paperwork, which resulted in there being a delay in payment, but it was eventually resolved. So the account is currently marked "Paid in full," but it's still a collection on my credit report which has caused me denial of credit.
