Hello! I recently pulled my credit report due to a national security clearance I have to get for my job. Shamefully, I have not pulled my report in years. I have several medical collections on my report that I have never even been billed for and also a credit card account that is in collections for a little over $1000. On the cc, I called and they could not verify that I did have an account, she referred me to their recovery dept. The debt is from 1/2000. On the medical collections, I do not even have an account # or anything, how do I write to dispute these? And do I write to the OC first and then the CRA? Any advice is appreciated!
The medical stuff is listed with a collection agency and the credit card is listed with Capital One. Apparently that one has not been sold off. I am not sure with the medical how to go about disputing it since I've recieved no communication from the CA, I only noticed it because I pulled my report, but I have no account number or anything for them to refer to.
I also want to add that about two or three weeks ago, I took my son to the emergency room for an injury. Obviously, I signed for him as he is a minor, and I am responsible for whatever debt is not covered by insurance. I just noticed that I had a voicemail on my phone from Friday and checked it out. Wouldn't you know it, it is the hospital saying that I am elegible for a collections settlement. I guess they used my info from the recent visit and cross-referenced the old and the new accounts, but I am unsure of whether to call them or not. Also, I am not certain whether this debt is valid or not. So, do I call the hospital directly and see what settlement they have for me? Keep in mind that this is not being reported by the hospital but by a CA. At this point I am not sure what to do. I have to have all of this taken care of in 10 days to satisfy employment obligations for a security clearance.
Has the employer contacted you and told you that you HAD to resolve these accounts in 10 days? Would the employer be a little lenient if they knew that you were disputing the accounts? (My credit union worked with me once because I showed them my letters showing them that I was disputing some medical bills with my insurance company) You could dispute them the traditional way, but it usually takes ALOT more time than 10 days - the CA has 30 days to validate, and the CRA has 30 days to investigate as well, so about 60 days is the norm. Consider this too, if you do pay them now, it will be hard to get them removed later because once you pay them, you're basically admitting they're yours. Additionally, if the date of delinquency on Capital One is 1/2000, then it should fall off your reports in 1/2007 anyway, which isn't that far away. If you do decide to pay them, fax a letter to both the hospital and Capital One saying that you are disputing this account, yet you are willing to pay them in exchange for deletion (Look in the Sample Letters Section on here...I think it's called the Goodwill Letter). Give them a very short time to accept that offer (Like 48 hours). They may or may not accept. (I've had it work for me, but only on one account) If they don't accept, mail them payment (CRRR) along with a letter stating that you are still disputing this account, however due to a security clearance you must get these accounts resolved immediately. (Be very clear and adamant about this in the letter) Keep ALL of your letters (faxed and mailed) and copies of the check or money orders, and your copy of the credit report from BEFORE you paid them. As soon as the hospital payment clears, send a letter (CRRR) to the Collection Agency disputing the debt. Technically, you won't owe the CA anything because you will have paid the debt in full with the hospital. You can get the CA's address from the CRA. Hope this helps. Amy
