According to Experian's site, I have two hospital debts in total of $350 dating back to October and December of 2004. Also, I am a resident of Michigan and the CA is Money Recovery Nationwide. I'm curious as to how I can dispute it and get it off my credit report so that I can up my score and purchase a house soon. I have not received any communication from this company in the last 3-4 years that I am aware of (either at my home or my mom's; I was 18 at the time). Out of curiosity a few years back, I did contact the hospital, who stated that they had no record of my account, and did not contact the company to get any answers. Now, I'm sort of weary of disputing it and wondering if I should wait for it to drop off or what. And $350 isn't really readily available in my circumstance, being that I have a 4 month old and other various things being paid off at the moment. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!!!
Depending on the date they went delinquent, they'll stay on your report for 7 years after that date. So, probably some time on 2011 from what you describe. If the hospital has no record of the debt, you could try a DV letter to the CA to see if they have any information on the debt. In the DV letter, be sure to point out the date you became aware of this debt, which should be within 30 days of the time you send the letter (to preserve some protections under the FDCPA). Send the letter CM/RRR. After you get the green postcard back, dispute the accounts with the CRA that lists them on your report. Now, the fun begins. The CA should get the information about the debt from the hospital and send it to you. If they can't or don't, the entry will fall of between 30 and 45 days after you dispute it with the CRA. If they just send you a photocopy of an old statement, you might question that (in that they probably just pulled it out of their files). If they DO send you the paperwork (along with the new, updated balance to include 4 years of interest), then you need to take this up with the hospital who said they had no record of this. Call the billing office and find the name of a supervisor so you can send your letter directly to them. Otherwise it'll just get tossed in the "pile of mail to read some day when they're not busy." Also during this time they might try and call you. Don't talk to the CA. Just tell them that there's been some mistake and you're working with the OC. AND THEN HANG UP. Don't say ANYTHING else or you could, unwittingly, say something that they would take to mean you owe the debt and are going to pay. Their job is to get you to commit to something (e.g. admitting the debt is yours and that you'll send them some money) and they are usually pretty good at it (if you're not careful). I had a similar case and it took a couple of letters to the hospital before they finally pulled the account from the CA and took it off my credit report.
not to sound harsh,but you say that 350 isn't readily available in your circumstance that being the case is it wise to purchase a house soon.
Have to side with Ruger here insofar as you must at least have 3.25% down payment just to get a home. That said, yes, it is likely worth disputing it through the credit reporting agencies insofar as it will likely be deleted since it is so old and you've not heard from the debt collector.
