I rec'd an email in regards to a settlement that I was about to accept with MRS associates. When I opened it, it had someone elses name and their information on it. I emailed the lady back who apologized and said that hippa only pertained to medical. I know that banks have it as well. Why wouldn't a collections agency? I was livid that I rec'd someone elses info assuming that someone else more than likely has mine. I agree that accidents happen. But, they sure don't give us any slack when they're demanding their money. I guess I just wish it could give me a little bit of leverage or something. Probably not...?
HIPAA does pertain to medical--the H stands for Health. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The only reason that I can see banks having HIPPA information is if they are in the medical collections business. They would, however, have what is called PII (personally identifying information) but I'm not sure that there is an actual law regarding that. Besides, most laws, like FDCPA, provide for a bona-fide error defense. I'm sure that's what they'd assert--that it was a bona-fide error.
