Help!! Please

I have had medical bills listed on my credit report because the provider did not file an insurance claim, but sent the debt to collections. If that is the case for you, that is a reason to dispute.

Is there anything about how the debt is reported that is inaccurate?

You can also ask the provider to take it off your CR in exchange for payment. Sometimes they are nice enough to agree to it. Just make sure you get it in writing FIRST.

If you cannot get it off the report, go ahead and pay it. That is looks better to a potential creditor than an unpaid debt; it shows responsibility.

JMHO,
Elev8-n-God

 

I have 1 collection account on my Equifax for Check Cashing USA for a Payday Loan advance from about 6-8 months ago for $595. I will gladly pay for deletion, but does anyone have a letter that I can use to send them to ask for this instead of calling? Thanks!

 

pay to delete

 

Not an expert here, but I'll try to advise.
You said you don't know who the CA is. It would be great if it isn't with a CA at all, and you could work with the Dr. It may be with the Dr.'s collection department. Should be easier to work with. If this is on CR, there should be a CA listed, if there is a CA. Either way, the Dr. office will have more info, and it should be easy to talk with someone there. They will let you know if this is with a CA or not. Even if it's with a CA, try dealing with the Dr office directly.

You asked how to PFD (pay for delete). Elev8ngod responded to that:

Call the Dr.'s office, ask to speak to someone about collections. When you get that person, explain that this came to your attention, sincerely aplogize for the oversight, you discovered it on your credit report, and you'd like to take care of it, but could you also get an agreement to remove the item from your CR. (do not ask this of the receptionist - only to someone who is in a position to make that kind of decision). There are a few responses I've heard along the way, so be preapred for these:

* "we can take the payment, and we can update the CR to show it's paid, but that's the best we can do." (explain that it would still be a negative mark on your CR and that you're aware that in some cases the company will accpet the payment and then remove it, (or instruct the CA to remove it), and that you're hoping they will work with you to do that. If need be mention that it is a small bill and that as soon as you became aware of it you called them right away, because you are a person who pays their bills and that's why you don't want the stain on your CR - it would not be an accurate reflection of you and how you pay your bills.

* "we can't remove it because we followed all the rules and the only way we can remove it to say we reported something wrong." (you can say you know somehow it can be removed because you've researched (don't tell them here!) and know it can be done, and you are hoping for that agreement.)

* "we can't do anything because the CA has it now - we have nothing to do with it now." (in some cases that is more true than others. You could ask them if they took the payment, maybe they could instruct the CA to remove it.)

If you keep getting "no", be pleasant and say that you're sorry you couldn't work anything out today, but you hope they will reconsider and if they can agree to help you, to please let you know. Thank them for their time. If you don't hear from them in about 1-2 weeks, call them again. And then again later, and again later. (or a letter later). Be persisitant. (but i wouldn't suggest being aggravating!) Or try another approach. There are several ways to approach.

And no one here as ever said this to my knowledge, but I block my phone number when I call someone like a CA. They may try to get info from you like a phone number, your Soc. #, or other information. They can be sneaky - they may ask like they already have it, and just want you to "verify your information" Just keep repeating you'd like to speak to the manager please. Gaurd your information.

Another member advised me to NOT use your bank card or other credit card to pay by phone. If you get a PFD, get a money order, or I used a pre-paid credit card like the ones you find at drug stores. So if you can make an agreement for PFD, let them know you'll call them back to pay, then go get the prepaid card - if you get it now and they don't agree, the card could expire before you'll need it. It is good advise.

You have a small bill - the PFD will probably work, most likely with OC - try that first. And try that more than once if needed over time, before trying the "pay first, ask for delete later" method.


Trying2fix, I'm not sure there is a standard letter to use. I think you have to create one that's based on your info. I get nervous about putting things in writing. If it doesn't work, and you ask them to validate later, I fear handing them something in writing that validates it for them. But if you keep it short, use careful wording, request nicely, maybe use some other letters like goodwill letters as a guide to being nice, you may find some wording here and there to put together to suit your needs. I've never dealt with the company you mentioned, but it sounds like it might be a good idea to work with that OC. Ask for a manager , maybe a manager in collections. Someone elses' advice here would be better, I think.

I am not-so-new, but not an expert either. I know when it's all new, you need more details on the "how-to". (I still need this too) I hope this helped.