We are now starting to work on getting my wife's credit repaired. Last year she attended a few sessions with a marriage counselor, on the third visit she became very upset with the counselors lack of professionalism and abrubtly ended the session about 10 minutes into the hour long session. The center is claiming she owes $186.00 and has set her account to collections. The center's billing company called us today and said they verified with the center that she owes the money. It is showing on her credit report. How should I proceed from here? Intent to sue because of the derogatory marks on her credit? Just pay off the $186.00 (don't want to!), deal with the counseling center? Any guidance would be appreciated!
Validate ask for FULL ACCOUNTING of this alleged debt, including EVERY STATEMENT, EVERY PAYMENT, etc....
Just a note: Had a similar situation with a dentist who was less than professional. I wrote the local medical board with a CC to the dentist regarding the unprofessionalism. The charge disappeared. Might try this!
Thanks for the replies. Just so I can understand the process a bit better I have a few questions. 1. I should be sending the validation letter to the Collection Agency? 2. Looking at Validation Letter #1 (from the forums) it looks like I'm validating that they are in fact the authroized collection agency for this counseling service? 3. Or should I be sending a validation letter asking them to validate that I owe this debt? NanaC - great idea on sending CC: to the media. I think I'll do that as well
The letter should be sent to the CA and it should be validating both the debt and their right to collect it. Glad to help...I'm betting the publicity, even with the medical board will be enough to make it go away fast.
Ok, I'm about to send off a validation letter, but now I'm getting a bit nervous (hey, this is my first one!). By reading the situation above, does it sound like we are truly liable for this debt? My wife walked out of the a hour long marriage counseling session 10 minutes into it because of what she felt was unprofessional behavior on the part of the counselor. I just don't want to waste all my time over $186.00 if it turns out it would be ruled that we are liable for this. Maybe the fact that she just showed up for the appointment means she's liable for the money? Thoughts....
I think you are getting way ahead of yourself....no, I think unprofessional behavior means you are not liable...I doubt it will ever go past the medical board letter. I do hope you are sending the letter to the medical board as well as it supports your contention. And, if you feel at a later date you truly want to pay for this, nothing is going to stop you then...so the validation won't hurt a thing.
Thanks for the vote of confidence NanaC. I'm off to the post office with the validation letter. I'm also working on the medical board letter this afternoon. Just have to do some research on where to send it and figure out if he's a liscensed pyschologist or just a marriage counselor.
