I am being harassed by 2 separate collection agencies At least they are under 2 separate names And claim they are not connected. It is on a dental bill on my daughter about 3 yrs ago I sent a dispute not my debt certified mail to the first one several months went by then I received a letter from the second one same scenario letter sent Several more months go by Then a letter addressed to my spouse wanting payment on the debt I refused to pay. More months go by Now a phone call form the second ca and I went ballistic on her She calls back tonight (very nicely) and states I need to call the dentist because they called to verify and the child was of age and I am not responsible for although she filled out record w/ insurance info (I had coverage on her until age 19) I believe this happened on her 19th birthday and the insurance I am sure refused payment. This has went from 100.00 to over a 400.00 debt She (CA) will call back on the 24th---not sure as to why Somehow they have my SS# (I know that was not on the dentist report my kid does not have this info to give) But they do have my kids SS# and she will be 21 soon. How should I handle this? I did threaten to look up rules & regulations on their harassment? Thanks
Why don't you just tell them that it is your Daughters debt and that they can collect it from her.. Especially if it is a valid debt.
They have that info but continue to call me There has to be a reason for that. After all the CA gave me the info on this debt. I knew I had never been to anyone by that name. Can they legally collect from her? I am not sure how their mind works but I am asking for advice to fiqure this out.
They may well be 2 different CAs depending on how large the dental practice is. Your daughter's eligibility ran out @ 12:01AM on her 19th birthday. If that was the date of service and she submitted your insurance info, the CA probably obtained your SS# from the insurance's EOB (Explanation of Benefits) after submitting the invoice. They should now bill your daughter for the service, as a self-pay patient. Although the insurance CSR incorrectly verified eligibility, she would still be responsible for payment. If they are so inclined, the dentist and/or the CA can re-age the debt, and /or give her a self-pay discount, all without reporting adverse info to the CRA, considering how long they took to respond to your inquiries / disputes. Take care of this in person with the office manager. It's easier to get rid of a phone call than a body. Ask: 1. Which CA they've authorized to collect the debt 2. If they're willing to remove the account from collection in order to allow your daughter to make a payment arrangement. 3. If they're willing to re-age the debt in return for payment in full. Get everything in writing!
The first thing that stuck out in my mind when reading the initial concern was that it is being reported on his report. Also the fact that it was her 19th birthday. I believe statutes state that the age of majority in terms of responsibility for a debt is age 18. If this did indeed happen on her 19th birthday, then you are nor responsible for the debt. This debt should become hers, however, like any good father, you would like to protect your daughter. So I agree with Rina's comments about contacting and working directly with the manager of the dentist office. Ensure that all transactions take place in writing. Personally, I would negotiate to pay the amount in question, not the added fees by the collection agency. Also, there is no way in the world that TWO collections agencies can contact you concerning the same debt. One of the agencies does not own the debt. If you do not find out which agencies owns the debt, you may end up paying TWICE! Good Luck Also when you find out when one does not have the legal right to persue the debt, I would contact the State Attorney General's Office, the Better Business Bureau, and any local consumer advocate agency to file a complaint.
Rina & Reshod Thanks for the responses. Very much appreciated! I will call and ask those questions tomorrow. This dentist office is very small in a rural area. I have not had any dealings with CA's other than reading this board's posts. I thought it unusual that they want me to contact the creditor and take care of this. I have a suspension those CA offices are somehow connected. It keeps going back-n-forth between them. I asked the 2nd CA tonight that called if they were not connected why were they not concerned about CA 1 also trying to collect. I would think that would cut into any profits to be made.
