To all the experts on collections. I received a letter from a collection bureau that an ER doctor has instituted a collection from 12-18-00. I call CB and requested a validation. They asked why I was being nasty? I told them I would put it in writing. Further, I contacted my insurer and the claim was paid by them in July 01. They gave me the check number. I called OC and told them same. They said I had to prove it. What steps should I take? The amount is 297.00 Thanks in advance. H
I am not an expert, but I would request your insurance carrier to send you a copy of the check they paid the doctor along with a statement that they paid the cliam written on their letterhead. I would then submit copies of this information along with a letter explaining what happened to both OC and the CRA's. I would request that the OC remove the item they reported in error to the CRA's and supply you with a "Mistake of Fact" Letter that you can submit to potential creditors while you are waiting on the negative item to be deleted from your credit profiles. Once you receive the Mistake of Fact letter, I would foward a copy of it to the CRA's as well. I would not be spiteful or angry yet, I would just want to come across as a reasonable person trying to get an error corrected. If the OC verifies the collection with the CRA's, then I would threaten both entities with a lawsuit due to violations of your rights under the FCRA. If that does not get action, then I would file a small claims action against the OC seeking an injunction on their reporting, and specific damages. I had a similar situation with NCO reporting a medical bill that I never even received. I contacted NCO and found out how to get in touch with the OC. I then explained to the OC that I never received the bill and that I would be more than happy to pay it if they would remove the negative listing from my credit files. They promptly sent me a mistake of fact letter and the next month the item was gone from all 3 CRA reports. Funny, I disputed the items with the CRA's as well and received back investigation results stating NCO was not reporting on my credit. NCO had removed the items before the CRA's started their investigation. Kinda made me look silly, but it got the job done.
