After finding out that I got declined for a business credit card, I decided to find out why that was the case by reviewing my credit report, then to my surprise I found out that I have a collections statement on my credit report.
I called the debt collectors office and they said they sent out 14 letters notifying me that I owe a bill from my dental office, however the address they sent those to is my father's address, I don't live with him and I have never lived with him so why are they sending it there? My father has not even contacted me to tell me I owe a bill or they are trying to contact me. The dental office has my address and phone number so why didnt they contact me and why didnt the debt collector contact me before putting a collection statement on my credit report is that legal?
I did move however I still had my old cell number up until last year and I had all my mail from my old address forwarded to my new address so what happened? The collections attorney said they are filing a lawsuit in a couple of days if I dont pay them, I asked him well how can I pay and how can this end up on my report if I never recieved a bill or any notification, about a bill to begin with. I spoke to my father and he said he made a payment to them and he agreed that he will pay monthly until the bill is paid up but he stopped apparently, I had no idea about this either until today. I have to wait until thurs. to speak to a woman in charge of billing who won't be in the dental office until thursday.
Is this my fault and should this be on my credit report if they made an agreement with my father and notified him, instead of notifying me as the patient??
2007-10-23 18:16:37 · 4 answers · asked by nordia_williams 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
In addition, as far as I knew I was done paying all my bills for my dental office and told I paid everything on my part so I dont need to provide them with my current address, I dont plan on seeing them again.
2007-10-23 18:32:16 · update #1
In addtion I paid my balance which was over a thousand dollars the day of my service and i paid another payment that my insurance didnt cover, which was billed to me!
2007-10-23 18:40:52 · update #2
Unfortunately, it is up to you to provide your current address so this is legal. If they get no response from you REGARDLESS of whether or not YOU got the letters, all they know is that the mail was not returned to them. If they get the letter returned, then they would go further to find you. Your best bet is to call them on neutral terms and ask to reach an agreement. Explain the situation and don't yell at them-it won't help you out and hopefully they will accept a payment plan. They don't want to spend money unless they have to-and it will save you from having to pay court costs.
2007-10-23 18:29:23 · answer #1 · answered by ted_zoromski 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they have got you at a disadvantage. Even if you can prove they never notified you personally, you had the dental work done-did the dentist tell you it was free? Also, by the time you pay an attorney to represent you in court, you may as well have just paid the bill. It's too bad, but in the future if you incur a debt, remember to check up on it if you don't get a bill.
2007-10-23 18:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by barbara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they can't prove they ever notified you about the debt, they can't go anywhere with it, the rules are strict about that and most companies don't follow them and hope you get scared enough to pay. I would say "See you in court" then see how they explain that you were never told of the debt, case dismissed.
2007-10-23 18:26:41 · answer #3 · answered by columind99 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunantly they have you by the malesack. Try clarckhoward.com he has all the answers.
2007-10-23 18:21:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋