False charges reported to Collection Agency
Date: Tue, 07/14/2009 - 19:39
I just joined this forum in the hopes that someone can help me. I recently received a letter from a collection agency stating that I owed over $1,000.00 for emergency surgery I had performed. This bill was paid in full at the time of my surgery; the bill is dated from 2006. When I contacted the hospital they stated they would correct this error. When I later contacted the collection agency I was informed that yes, the hospital did contact them but they state I paid it the date I contacted them, July 9th! So I obviously have to get this straightened out but what should I do? Of course when you contact the collection agency they don't believe for a moment that we actually paid this bill on time. Luckily my husband and I have the receipt for the payments.
Upon contacting the agency regarding this bill I was told I had another one! This bill came from a dentist office and was in the amount if approximately $400.00. I have never even had a balance at the dentist's office; at present I actually have a $40.00 credit! When I contacted the agency I was told that I owe this amount and that it had been placed on my credit reports for the past four years! I immediately contacted the dentist’s office and asked that they resolve the issue immediately. They stated, accurately, that I was never reported to a collection agency and there was nothing they could do to help me. To further confuse this, I received a similar request from an agency regarding this bill in 2004; I contacted the dentist's office and was told it was taken care of! As an fyi, I have not heard from any agency until last week regarding either one of these "debts". The original bill is from 2004. I remember writing a check for this amount and the dentist’s office acknowledges that this amount was paid in October 2004.
I now received another call from a collection agency referencing another debt. I have no idea why this is happening to me! I owe absolutely no one! If anyone can give me any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I was told by a nice gentleman at the first agency that I would need to obtain letters from each debtor stating what the debt was for, when it was paid and that it never belonged with a collection agency.
Should I get an attorney? This is wrecking my credit and I have always paid my bills....I am at a loss. I just found out I am pregnant and would like to buy a new car. That will be difficult with these marks on my credit report. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Upon contacting the agency regarding this bill I was told I had another one! This bill came from a dentist office and was in the amount if approximately $400.00. I have never even had a balance at the dentist's office; at present I actually have a $40.00 credit! When I contacted the agency I was told that I owe this amount and that it had been placed on my credit reports for the past four years! I immediately contacted the dentist’s office and asked that they resolve the issue immediately. They stated, accurately, that I was never reported to a collection agency and there was nothing they could do to help me. To further confuse this, I received a similar request from an agency regarding this bill in 2004; I contacted the dentist's office and was told it was taken care of! As an fyi, I have not heard from any agency until last week regarding either one of these "debts". The original bill is from 2004. I remember writing a check for this amount and the dentist’s office acknowledges that this amount was paid in October 2004.
I now received another call from a collection agency referencing another debt. I have no idea why this is happening to me! I owe absolutely no one! If anyone can give me any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I was told by a nice gentleman at the first agency that I would need to obtain letters from each debtor stating what the debt was for, when it was paid and that it never belonged with a collection agency.
Should I get an attorney? This is wrecking my credit and I have always paid my bills....I am at a loss. I just found out I am pregnant and would like to buy a new car. That will be difficult with these marks on my credit report. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ask the dentist and the hospital for a statement that your accou
Ask the dentist and the hospital for a statement that your account is paid in full. Check your credit reports, if these alleged debts are there, then dispute them through the credit reporting agencies. Send them a copy of your paid statements and request that they update your credit report accordingly. Send a Cease & Desist letter to the collector, Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
