Can I Restart HIPAA Process?

[CreditDespair]

Has anyone ever messed up the first time, waited a couple of years, and tried again?

 

That's the situation I'm in.

 

I have a West Asset Management medical collection for a little over $1200 that will be 4 years old this November. It is reporting on all 3. I had sent them a DV in 2009 and they responded with printouts from the hospital with all my info on it (this was before I knew about the HIPAA process). In 2/2010 I sent the pre-HIPAA letter to EQ and TU (mistakenly not to EX). Both EQ and TU verified immediately without an explanation. I never followed up afterwards.

 

Fast forward to today - it has been over 2 years. Can I restart the process?

 

I just received fresh paper copies of all my reports. I've opted out, and just came back from the post office after firing off letters to each CRA requesting the removal of my old addresses.

 

WhyChat -

 

What's the next step? Can I send the Pre-HIPAA letter to each CRA once I receive confirmation of the addresses being removed? I want to do it right this time.

Edited April 30, 2012 by CreditDespair

[CreditDespair]

Bump

[Why Chat]

Has anyone ever messed up the first time, waited a couple of years, and tried again?

 

That's the situation I'm in.

 

I have a West Asset Management medical collection for a little over $1200 that will be 4 years old this November. It is reporting on all 3. I had sent them a DV in 2009 and they responded with printouts from the hospital with all my info on it (this was before I knew about the HIPAA process). In 2/2010 I sent the pre-HIPAA letter to EQ and TU (mistakenly not to EX). Both EQ and TU verified immediately without an explanation. I never followed up afterwards.

 

Fast forward to today - it has been over 2 years. Can I restart the process?

 

I just received fresh paper copies of all my reports. I've opted out, and just came back from the post office after firing off letters to each CRA requesting the removal of my old addresses. Have you moved since the date of medical service?? If so, wait until the old addresses are deleted before proceeding, have you notified any GOOD closed accounts of your current address?? If not do so immediately or you risk losing good old tradelines

 

WhyChat -

 

What's the next step? Can I send the Pre-HIPAA letter to each CRA once I receive confirmation of the addresses being removed? I want to do it right this time.

Yes, send the initial dispute letter AFTER your old addresses have been deleted ( if you moved since the date of service)

http://www.whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

[CreditDespair]

Yes, I have moved - and yes, I've updated all my current creditors and good closed accounts. Thanks WhyChat, I'll post here once I hear back regarding the addresses.

[CreditDespair]

How long does it take for results to be mailed back regarding old addresses? Can I backdoor the CRAs to find out?

[CreditDespair]

WhyChat,

 

I just received results from all three CRAs regarding address removal. Please help!!!

 

TransUnion deleted all old addresses.

 

Equifax just sent me a letter saying they put a fraud alert on my report - nothing regarding my addresses!

 

Experian did the same thing - fraud alert, with no mention of my addresses.

 

What do I do now?

[Why Chat]

WhyChat,

 

I just received results from all three CRAs regarding address removal. Please help!!!

 

TransUnion deleted all old addresses.

 

Equifax just sent me a letter saying they put a fraud alert on my report - nothing regarding my addresses!

 

Experian did the same thing - fraud alert, with no mention of my addresses.

 

What do I do now?

Send the initial dispute letters.

http://www.whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

The fraud alert should HELP your disputes. You MAY be asked to send proof of your identity.

[CreditDespair]

Okay, thanks. So I should NOT attach my photo ID, correct?

[CreditDespair]

Okay, just sent the initial dispute letter to all three CRAs. Now do I just wait for a response? Can I backdoor them in the meantime in a couple of weeks?

[Why Chat]

Okay, just sent the initial dispute letter to all three CRAs. Now do I just wait for a response? Can I backdoor them in the meantime in a couple of weeks?

No, do not send photo ID unless they ask for it, yes you can check via "back door" 10 days after they receive the dispute letter. ( tracking #)

[CreditDespair]

Thanks! I did not send my photo ID. I'll backdoor once they receive the letters - thank you again! I'm praying for deletions.

[CreditDespair]

Question - how do I backdoor EQ and TU? Do I click on "new dispute" or "check status of dispute"?

[Why Chat]

Question - how do I backdoor EQ and TU? Do I click on "new dispute" or "check status of dispute"?

Click on new dispute. Make SURE you do not click on e-mail response or give them your e-mail address or accidently opt back in.

DO NOT ACTUALLY DISPUTE ANYTHING

[CreditDespair]

Question - when initiating a new dispute, they make it mandatory for me to put in my email address. Is that okay?

[Why Chat]

Question - when initiating a new dispute, they make it mandatory for me to put in my email address. Is that okay?

You should not need to actually initiate a new dispute. If you must give your e-mail address to view your report, then go ahead and do so but make SURE you do not check off for an e-mail response to your dispute or your original written dispute may get delayed.

[CreditDespair]

Ugh I am so frustrated - both EQ and TU are REQUIRING me to click "I accept online delivery of the results of my request for investigation or change of information as replacement for postal mail delivery of the results." Otherwise I can't view the report.

 

So I guess I shouldn't do a backdoor then, right?

[CreditDespair]

Is there a good 3-bureau service I can sign up for in the interim? I used to have credit-check-total but cancelled it a while back.

[Guest KristofsMom]

I use USAA to moniter my credit. It's around $12 a month but after you have it for a while you can call and say you wish to cancel. They will offer you half price at $6 for a full year.

[CreditDespair]

Thanks! Signed up for USAA. As of today the collections are still on all 3 reports. I know it's only been a couple days so I'll post again in a week with results.

[Why Chat]

Ugh I am so frustrated - both EQ and TU are REQUIRING me to click "I accept online delivery of the results of my request for investigation or change of information as replacement for postal mail delivery of the results." Otherwise I can't view the report.

 

So I guess I shouldn't do a backdoor then, right?

I think you went past the area where you can pull up your report and clicked to actually start a new dispute.

[CreditDespair]

UPDATE: As of today, EQ has marked the status of the account "in dispute - reinvestigation in process" as of today.

[CreditDespair]

UPDATE 2: Got this email from EQ this morning. I have NOT clicked on any of the links. Should I click unsubscribe or just leave it be?

 

Dear CreditDespair,

 

Your most recent Equifax reinvestigation has been started. This process can take up to 30 days to complete. For faster delivery of your results, you can now receive the results of your investigation online.

To accept receipt of the results of your investigation online, please click on this hyperlink:

 

https://www.OptinOnlineDelivery.equifax.com/optin/jsp/optIn.jsp?DATI=cb94095620acdea27ce648c2d00c05a2

 

Any reinvestigation that you have created within the timeframe of this request will be available for your review online upon completion.

 

We appreciate your help as we work together to protect our environment by going green and increasing your account security with electronic delivery.

 

To allow us to protect your privacy and deliver prompt service, please visit our website. If there are items you believe to be incorrect, you may be able to initiate an investigation request via the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:

 

http://www.investigate.equifax.com

 

Using the Internet to initiate an online investigation request will expedite the resolution of your concerns.

 

Unsubscribe: If you do not want to receive these emails, please click on this hyperlink to unsubscribe:

 

https://www.OptinOnlineDelivery.equifax.com/optin/jsp/optOut.jsp?DATI=cb94095620acdea27ce648c2d00c05a2

 

Please DO NOT REPLY to this email as this is a system generated email and will not be read.

 

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you,

 

Equifax Information Services LLC

[Why Chat]

UPDATE 2: Got this email from EQ this morning. I have NOT clicked on any of the links. Should I click unsubscribe or just leave it be? Leave it alone. Clicking on ANY link even to unsubscribe is to validate your e-mail address, just as clicking on unsubscribe on spam generates floods of NEW spam

 

Dear CreditDespair,

 

Your most recent Equifax reinvestigation has been started. This process can take up to 30 days to complete. For faster delivery of your results, you can now receive the results of your investigation online.

To accept receipt of the results of your investigation online, please click on this hyperlink:

 

https://www.OptinOnlineDelivery.equifax.com/optin/jsp/optIn.jsp?DATI=cb94095620acdea27ce648c2d00c05a2

 

Any reinvestigation that you have created within the timeframe of this request will be available for your review online upon completion.

 

We appreciate your help as we work together to protect our environment by going green and increasing your account security with electronic delivery.

 

To allow us to protect your privacy and deliver prompt service, please visit our website. If there are items you believe to be incorrect, you may be able to initiate an investigation request via the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:

 

http://www.investigate.equifax.com

 

Using the Internet to initiate an online investigation request will expedite the resolution of your concerns.

 

Unsubscribe: If you do not want to receive these emails, please click on this hyperlink to unsubscribe:

 

https://www.OptinOnlineDelivery.equifax.com/optin/jsp/optOut.jsp?DATI=cb94095620acdea27ce648c2d00c05a2

 

Please DO NOT REPLY to this email as this is a system generated email and will not be read.

 

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you,

 

Equifax Information Services LLC

[CreditDespair]

Got it, thanks! Not touching any of the links.

[CreditDespair]

UPDATE - soooo frustrated.

 

On my USAA, Equifax has updated the status of the account to "closed - unpaid".

 

In addition,

 

I received a letter from Experian yesterday. It says:

 

"We received a suspicious request regarding your personal credit information that we have determined was not sent by you. This could be deemed as deceptive or fraudulent use of your information. We have not taken any action on this request. Any future requests made in this manner will not be processed and will not receive a response."

 

TU has still not moved.

 

What do I do now?