Can someone please direct me to an area that will give me a template for a letter that I need. I'm going to my dentist today with a check for 3,000 dollars on a 3500.00 dental bill that has been sent to a collection agency. I'm hoping that since I've done plenty of business with this guy and referred him to many, many people, that he'll accept my offer and remove completely the Collection Acct. notation on my credit report. I'd like to have a letter in hand so when and if he agrees, I can get his signature before I hand him the money. Thanks for all of your help!!!!!!!
Has the collection agency put something on credit report? Do you know if the collection agency bought the debt from the dentist, or are they *only* collecting on the behalf of the dentist? This will make a big diference on your negotiation tactics.
Yes, the CA has put a notation on my CR. It says that I have an unpaid balance with Dr.>>>. I'm really not sure if the dentist sold it or not. I guess I'll find out today when I speak with him. If he did sell it, do you have any recommendations on dealing with the CA? I got a loan from my CU for the entire balance, but I want to see if they will take a little less. THanks for any help!!!!!
Just write up something like this: It is agreed between Dr. xxx and kozman, this 8th day of May, 2002, that, Dr.xxx will remove from the ca the dental acct of kozman in exchange for the sum of $3000. Upon receipt of the $3000, the acct will be paid in full, and as such, removed from all credit reporting agencies. Dated this 8th day of May, 2002. __________________ ___________________ signature signature It doesn't need to be any more than that. Just to the point of what you will receive in exchange for your payment.
Thanks for your assistance!!!! Hopefully one collection account gone. Any advice if the account is owned by the CA instead of the dentist?
Here is a copy of a letter I used with a dentist for removal: ----------------------------------------- In re:firstname lastname, 123 Main Ave., Chicago, IL 60649, Debtor. Case No.: Release of Debt for Acct #C91526 - Dr. Edxxx Sxxxx Dr. Edxxx Sxxxx hereby certifies that TLCAMPBE (SSN #111-11-1111) has paid the amount of $80.00 in cash for Account #C91526. She therefore has paid her debt in full for Dr. Edxx Sxxx and he will in return immediately remove all negative/ derogatory information from any credit bureau report in reference to this account. This includes any references to collections accounts, past due, charge off, etc. Any reference to this account on a credit report is limited to be reported as paid in full or paid as agreed. This document is legally binding and enforceable in any court of the United States of America. Dated this 11th day of October, 2001 By: Dr. Edxxx Sxxxx
What if you get that crap that, "we can't remove it once it's been forwarded to the CA." I always thought that was a bunch of crap because how do they remove someone's account that was mistakenly placed for collection, which I'm sure has happened quite often. Thank you for your help!!!!
That is why you go directly to the dentist. He doesn't care about Credit Reporting, FCRA, etc. He just wants to get paid. So if you come at him with the right attitude and give him a good reason why you didn't pay the bill before (didn't receive the bill, thought insurance company paid it, etc.) he should be willing to help you out. Just indicate you will pay him in full for the immediate removal of this item from your credit report. If he tells the CA that he wants this removed from the credit report, they have to do it. Unless he sold the debt to CA and then it is totally out of his hands, which is a whole another story.
Thanks for everyone's help. I just spoke with the billing department at the dental office and they agreed to a complete removal of any notation that this may have placed on my credit file. Now I just have to get the 3500 dollars paid off with the CU. I'll get that taken care of in around 6 months and that will give me another positive tradeline. On my way out of the divorced, ex-spouse screwed my credit HELL.....Someday, but someday is never soon enough!!
