How to deal with a collection agency representing a non-existent company?

Question

Hi,

To make a long story short. A collection agency started to communicate with me in November 2007 about an open balance with a doctors office back in November 2001. Since 2005 that doctors office company was bought by another one. All my doctors are still the same. I just called my current doctors office and they are telling me that I do NOT have any open balance.

So what do I do? Also, is it legal for a collection agency to claim a balance due 6 years ago? The balance is for $180. I also contacted my insurance company and they can't go back on their records at that date.

So currently, I have nothing to prove... or do I ?

Thanks

Answer 1

As long as a debt is owed, a collection company has the right to attempt to collect the debt. As such, it is legal for them to claim the balance. The sale and purchase of the doctors office changes nothing.

That being said, the debt may be beyond the statute of limitations for collections in your state. That does not mean that the debt is not owed (if it is valid) and it does not mean they can't attempt to collect the debt, it just means they can't sue you for the debt and they can not garnish wages etc.

The first thing I would do is to challenge the validity of the debt.

Learn more about your rights here: http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/

Answer 2

Have received a number of letters "referring me to collection" for non payment or overdue medical bills.
Most of the time they were due to their own book keeping errors or improper billing of insurance companies.
Very often there is no collection agency, just an old lady in the back who sends the letters out, hoping someone will "bite".
To make you feel better..........
Got a letter from an "agency" demanding payment.
It was for something like $850 dollars & I knew I did not owe anyone that kind of money or that anything was overdue.
The bill in question was be due to a misplaced decimal point.
I just let them send me letters until they had spent more on typing, copying & postage than the amount "owed" (actually .85 cents).
I sent them a copy of the bill I asked them for & pointed out the actual amount just to rub it in.
It would have cost them more to process the $,85 check than it was worth.
Go through your checkbook & find what you can.
Ask to have the office send you & the "collection agency "
stating there is no money owed.
Best regards

Answer 3

Send the collection agency a letter (send it certified mail, return receipt requested) demanding proof of debt.

Then they have to produce the paperwork proving that there is a debt.

Answer 4

Since conress changed te Bankrupycy lws, its possible tat the seven year period no longer works. If I were you, I would ask them to itemize the bill because you can't find any connection to such chrges. Then take that list to your doctor andsk him to help jar your memory. This is of course if your really worried.

Answer 5

Ignore them for another year. After 7 years the debt is uncollectable one way or another.