First the history. Paid medical collection account. Disputed 2x with CRA as "not mine". Came back "verified". Sent validation letter to CA last week. Got the following letter from the CA along with some cheesy printout: February 10, 2003 LD PO Box xxx City, State, Zip Account Owed to: Shady Grove Radiology USCC Acct# XXXXXXX Balance Due: $0.00 Dear LD: Shady Grove Radiology has provided the attached information to clarify your indebtness. With this verification your account is being reactivated as validly due and owing debt. You are being held responsible for full and immediate payment of $0.00. You can show that you are worthy of your creditor's faith in you by fulfilling this obligation...today. Make your check payable to USCC. Write your account number on your payment. Tear off the top portion of this letter and send it with your payment to our office at the address shown above. Your handling of this matter may affect your ability to obtain future credit. You'll want to do what's best for your future! This is an attempt by a debt collector to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Respectfully, R. Lynn Collection Representative So, how do I proceed. First of all, I have the cancelled check showing I paid the doctor directly, but it appears they never communicated this with the CA. But I have a beef with the CA because their the ones listing the derog on my CR! I want to go nutcase on them, but I want to make sure its the right time and I choose the right one. Any input would be MOST appreciated! Lisa
Your case should not be all that difficult to remedy by taking the letter and your proof of payment right to the creditor and demanding that they cure the problem. Most certainly another validation demand isn't likely to help out since they think they have already validated the debt even though they really have not. Although Doc would have to pass final judgment on whether or not he thinks nutcase would help you or not I tend to doubt that it would although certain aspects of your explaination would tend to support the idea that it might work for you. My suggestion would be to take it to the OC along with your proofs and see if you can't resolve it that way first.
If you are anywhere near reasonably close to the OC, say in the same city I would take it up with them in person. If not the letter will do just fine.
Lisa, Be sure to focus on what you can do to force a deletion of the TL. Bill's right. When it comes to dealing with MP's it's better to do so in person. Just make sure they WITHDRAW the collection account from the CA. This triggers a deletion. Remember, MP's HATE the prospect of being sued. LOL
