     paul emge (Paule) | Sunday, July 09, 2000 - 03:37 pm 
I have a couple of what I think are pretty basic questions. I have read through many of the topics and am still a vague on a few items.
I have disputed items in the past and most of the time they just indicate a new verified date, no other changes and list the contact subscriber.
What should be done in these cases?
The example I have is AMEX that should be included in BK, but shows a balance, past due and placed for collection.
Also, when disputing valid negative items that have incorrect entries, how much additional information should you supply? The example is a refinanced account that shows the high amount and opened date from the original loan. Do I give them all the information needed to correct or just say its wrong and hope they can't verify it? |
| paul emge (Paule) | Sunday, July 09, 2000 - 08:07 pm
I have another question regarding collection.
Who do you deal with, client or collection agency?
The credit report shows information for the collection agency and shows the Hospital as the client. It was assigned 08/98, amount was $80.00, balance shows as $40.00. I can not find any record of it, so do not know if the account# for collection agency would be the same as the hospital. Equifax verified with the collection agency that it was being reported correctly.
I am willing to pay this off, however I certainly would like to get it removed from my credit report.
So, what I am actually asking is, in general who do you deal with, original creditor or collection agency? Also, the original creditor the hospital may have additional older unpaid accounts that are not being reported to any credit agency, and I would not want to be forced to pay all these to get rid of the one being reported.
Specificly, in my case since I do not have much information on the original creditor and they are not reporting to the CRA's should I deal with the agency? |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Tuesday, July 11, 2000 - 08:49 pm
As far as correcting bankruptcy accounts:
If they don't fix it after the dispute, sue.
Re collections: A lot of these medical collections aren't even owed and have never been billed. Contact WHOEVER reports on the credit and demand proof of the debt.
If you weren't billed, demand removal of the credit entry. Don't pay if you don't owe. |
| paule (Paule) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 12:48 pm
Well, I wrote to the collections agency , telling them I had no record of item, but would be willing to pay for removal from my CR. I asked for a reponse in writing if they agreed and all the information about the account if they did not.
Today they called me, and indicated I owed the money and should pay it. She further indicated they could not remove the information only update it to a paid collection.
When I asked for information in writing she indicated that they sent me the information a long time ago, the account had been closed since 99 and she would only give me info over the phone.
Any oppions on what I should do? |
| Senator (Senator) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 02:37 pm
unless you are applying for credit in the immediate future, I would argue against talking with them and make sure everything, your demands, their nonsense, be in writing. Their job is not to tell the truth but to obtain money. Pure and simple.
They probably have no written proof and purchased the account from somewhere else.
Never accept a paid collection offer (it won't help your credit score).
If you need to have them gone from your life, get them in writing to not respond (in return for your money) to not verify your request regarding the account that you will file shortly after their agreement is signed, on their letterhead, clear and specific.
good luck. they are scum. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 02:40 pm
Well, I don't know why you'd write to a collection agency that you're willing to pay them when they can't/won't provide you with proof of the debt and you don't even know what you owe for.
What did you gain? Twice the work! And now they know that you WANT to pay.
NOW you get to write to them again, demanding proof of the debt.
If you're lucky, they won't have the documentation or it turns out that the insurance didn't bill you, etc, then you can have it removed from your credit.
Or you can pay, but of course they have no obligation to remove anything from your credit. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 02:44 pm
Just saw Senator's posting, I agree, doing nothing is an option if credit isn't important in the near future. |
| paule (Paule) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 02:51 pm
Well, I know that I should have just demanded proof of the dept, I wrote them before I read Christine's response.
This is one of the last derogs I have on my CR and got excited.
I am going to write them again, ask for proof of the debt, and indicated I only want to correspond via mail.
My only concern is they may say they sent me the bill and I did not dispute within the 30 days of receiving the bill. Also, I am not so sure they want there money it is only $40 to them, but to me its messing my credit up.
Thanks for all of the information. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Friday, July 14, 2000 - 06:45 pm
Yeah, send that letter, and if you didn't GET their mail, then they'll have to prove otherwise.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes! |
