What to do first .....

[Frank13]

Ok ... now to get to the heart of my lousy score. I have several (6) med collections. Three of them report each on EQ and TU. All six report on EXP.

 

Two are outrageous ambulance bills so I am not doing anything with them (at this point). One is a paid hosp bill from a couple of years ago. Three are new collections of $25-50 each. I am planning to follow WhyChat's HIPPA process on these three.

 

I have done blanket disputes so far with EQ and TU. One of the ambulance bills went away with the blanket dispute on EQ. I am waiting for the results from TU (due this coming week). I have just received my report from EXP.

 

Finally ... the question ...

 

 

Should I do a blanket dispute with EXP first, or should I do the HIPPA letters first? Logic seems to say blanket dispute first ... but I would appreciate if you guys would offer your opinion before I send the letter tomorrow!

 

Thanks to all!

Edited November 13, 2005 by fedjr13

[Frank13]

bump

[Why Chat]

Use the medical dispute letter ( link posted at the TOP of the HIPAA letter program)

 

This allows you to PROPERLY use the HIPAA letter program for any accounts that are not deleted with this special medical dispute letter.

[Frank13]

Use the medical dispute letter ( link posted at the TOP of the HIPAA letter program)

 

This allows you to PROPERLY use the HIPAA letter program for any accounts that are not deleted with this special medical dispute letter.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Why Chat,

 

My line of thinking was to send a blanket dispute (so I could cover medical as well as non medical at one time) with EXP as I have done so already with EQ and TU ... after this first round, then use the Medical dispute letter ... and following on with the rest of the HIPAA letter program. Will I seriously hurt myself by not using the medical dispute letter on my first dispute with EXP? Also, can I do several (5) med colls with one medical dispute letter?

 

I am still learning and picking up pieces of info as I go... for example, I was going to use a personal check to pay rather than a m/o since I was not concerned with the OC having my checking account info until I read your post about personal checks being just a further "promise" to pay vs a cashiers check or money order.... there are so many why's that I don't want to mess up too badly.

 

Thanks for the help!!!

[Why Chat]

You can use an "all purpose" blanket dispute if you wish, however, in my opinion ANY dispute should be written in such a manner as to encompass ALL the new reporting and disputation requirements of FACTA.

 

Therefore an "all purpose" blanket dispute would not, in my opinion, "cut the mustard".

 

For disputing CC accounts, for instance I suggest sending a certified letter, hand written or italic teal or turquoise font on lined paper with the same "heading" as the medical dispute letter, i.e. my name is etc. etc.

 

Then you state that you have no knowledge or records of account # so and so from so and so, (list them) for those amounts for those dates from that creditor. Additionally, any accounts you MAY have had at one time with those creditors would be obsolete.

 

Request that if any account is verified, the name and address of the verifying party,the method of verification, and the reported date of first delinquency.

 

In my opinion, if the requested information on EITHER the medical dispute letter or the "all other accounts" letter are not fulfilled, you would have a legitimate complaint against the CRA to file with the FTC.

 

If the CRA does not respond COMPLETELY to either of these disputes, you then file the complaint and redispute with a copy of your filed FTC complaint.

Edited November 20, 2005 by Why Chat

[Frank13]

Thanks Why Chat....

 

I am going to downshift and change gears here ... I will skip the blanket dispute for now and go after the med colls only (After all, they are what are killing me).

 

As I said, I have already done blanket disputes with EXP and TU ... so EQ will get the medical dispute letter the first round. Hopefully, I won't get the 'frivolous' reply when I send the medical dispute letter to the others.

Edited November 21, 2005 by Frank13

[stopem]

<I>"For disputing CC accounts, for instance I suggest sending a certified letter, hand written or italic teal or turquoise font on lined paper with the same "heading" as the medical dispute letter, i.e. my name is etc. etc."</I><P>

 

I am really curious, what is the purpose for the "teal or turquoise" color

font?

 

I will be sending a letter to Aspire to cease and desist from charging us a $6.50

account mtce fee on a CLOSED ACCOUNT!

 

THANKS for all your advice Why Chat!!

[Why Chat]

<I>"For disputing CC accounts, for instance I suggest sending a certified letter, hand written or italic teal or turquoise font on lined paper with the same "heading" as the medical dispute letter, i.e. my name is etc. etc."</I><P>

 

I am really curious, what is the purpose for the "teal or turquoise" color

font?

 

I will be sending a letter to Aspire to cease and desist from charging us a $6.50

account mtce fee on a CLOSED ACCOUNT!

 

THANKS for all your advice Why Chat!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually I meant teal or purple. It makes it more difficult for the automatic scanners to read. If they can scan it into their system, it gets "read" by a computer system, not a person.

[Frank13]

Actually I meant teal or purple. It makes it more difficult for the automatic scanners to read. If they can scan it into their system, it gets "read" by a computer system, not a person.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Why Chat .... what is the intended consequence of this ????

 

I am going to guess to slow down processing in hopes of obtaining a violation? But I suspect that there is a better reason. Please shed the light. Thanks again!!!

[Why Chat]

If the computer system can scan the dispute and enter it into the "boolean logic" system, it will generate an automatic reply. Usually "frivolous" or "previously investigated".

 

If it can't be scanned, it will be read by a human being in THIS Country and IF you have enough things in the dispute that can not be inputed easily into the system, you will get an automatic deletion, as NO ONE "really" investigates anything anymore if it can't be done electronically.

[Frank13]

Hi again ...

 

Hopefully WhyChat or someone can comment on this update:

 

I have received a reply from EXP to the medical dispute letter that I sent in the format that is suggested. The reply stated that two of the tradelines remain and one was updated. There is a message to contact the "credit grantors" (CA's) and their phone numbers. The reply DOES NOT provide any requested info on how the information was verified...

 

From reply #5 I assume that I should file the FTC complaint as the next step? Am I on the right track here?

 

Thanks in advance for any help offered!

[Why Chat]

Hi again ...

 

Hopefully WhyChat or someone can comment on this update:

 

I have received a reply from EXP to the medical dispute letter that I sent in the format that is suggested. The reply stated that two of the tradelines remain and one was updated. There is a message to contact the "credit grantors" (CA's) and their phone numbers. The reply DOES NOT provide any requested info on how the information was verified...

 

From reply #5 I assume that I should file the FTC complaint as the next step? Am I on the right track here?Yes, file the complaint on line, print out the copy and send it together with a redispute to the CRA

 

Thanks in advance for any help offered!

Your FTC complaint should reference the date of your dispute letter to the CRA, the date they received it ( UPS certified tracking #) and the fact that they refused to properly investigate, refused to supply you with the identity of the OC, their address and the method of "verification", and that their non compliance is a violation of the FCRA and FACTA.

Edited December 28, 2005 by Why Chat

[Frank13]

Thanks again to Why Chat for the help so far ....

 

As indicated in my last post I received a reply from EXP on Dec 28 but did not get replies from the other two CRA's until near the deadline (mid-January). The replies from TU and EQ were basically the same as EXP and did not provide the requested information. Due to a temporary relocation and other responsibilites, I have been unable to follow-up. My question now is will this necessitate a change of strategy? or do I proceed with the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA's as already advised? It has been nearly 60 days since I received the replies from TU and EQ and 70+ since EXP replied. Thanks!!

[Why Chat]

Thanks again to Why Chat for the help so far ....

 

As indicated in my last post I received a reply from EXP on Dec 28 but did not get replies from the other two CRA's until near the deadline (mid-January). The replies from TU and EQ were basically the same as EXP and did not provide the requested information. Due to a temporary relocation and other responsibilites, I have been unable to follow-up. My question now is will this necessitate a change of strategy? or do I proceed with the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA's as already advised? It has been nearly 60 days since I received the replies from TU and EQ and 70+ since EXP replied. Thanks!!

Did your "temporary relocation" disrupt your mail service? Do you have a new address?. If so, you need to evaluate exactly what you want to have on your reports for your personal information.

 

If there is no basic change in your mailing address, then, yes, do the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA as advised.

[Frank13]

Did your "temporary relocation" disrupt your mail service? Do you have a new address?. If so, you need to evaluate exactly what you want to have on your reports for your personal information.

 

If there is no basic change in your mailing address, then, yes, do the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA as advised.

 

No, my "temporary relocation" did not affect my mail service as I did not update the temporary mailing address with any creditors but instead entered a temporary forwarding order with the postal service.

 

One thing your post prompted me to do was to look at the replies that I have received from the CRA's in the past. I noticed that Trans Union does not allow their letters to be forwarded while the other two bureaus do not have any restriction.

 

I opted to wait until the temporary mail forwarding order expired before I submitted the redisputes just to avoid any potential problems.

 

My FTC complaints have been filed and the second dispute letters are being mailed CM tomorrow. Update when there is any response. Thanks again Why Chat!

[Cam552GQ1]

Okay maybe someone can help me here. I have 2 meds on EXP/EQ and 3 on TRANS. These came up because there was a ending of a relationship, and the other party took my daughter to the E-room and gave my name as the responsible party. I carried the insurance for my child so was deemed as responsible. The bills however were sent to another address and I never new about them until recently. All less than $200 btw. I called the OC and they only have one of the accounts listed as in default. I filed online disputes for them last year and had some old incorrect addresses taken off of my CR. All the disptutes came back blah blah blah we investigated and they belong to you. Before finding this site I disputed them again online just a few weeks ago. I am yet to here a response, but should I wait unitil I hear back from them before I file a computer generated italicized dispute letter in Teal or Purple? Or would it be safe to send the letters on WHY CHAT'S page now?

 

Here are my scores with these CA dings on my report.

TU 718 EXP 658 EQU 682

[Why Chat]

Okay maybe someone can help me here. I have 2 meds on EXP/EQ and 3 on TRANS. These came up because there was a ending of a relationship, and the other party took my daughter to the E-room and gave my name as the responsible party. I carried the insurance for my child so was deemed as responsible. The bills however were sent to another address and I never new about them until recently. All less than $200 btw. I called the OC and they only have one of the accounts listed as in default. I filed online disputes for them last year and had some old incorrect addresses taken off of my CR. All the disptutes came back blah blah blah we investigated and they belong to you. Before finding this site I disputed them again online just a few weeks ago. I am yet to here a response, but should I wait unitil I hear back from them before I file a computer generated italicized dispute letter in Teal or Purple? Or would it be safe to send the letters on WHY CHAT'S page now?

 

Here are my scores with these CA dings on my report.

TU 718 EXP 658 EQU 682

In your case I would suggest you pay the OC,(for the account they show as in default) with a money order with the endorsement "for deposit only only" etc. etc. and do NOT mention the CA at all. Make sure you just state that you were unaware of the bill for your child and wish to pay it as although they did not properly send it to your insurance ,you will be submitting it for re-imbursement to your insurance carrier.

 

Then, if your online dispute does not get you a deletion you can send the medical dispute letter to the CRA and add that you have contacted the OC provider indicated in these accounts and they have no record of any such account.

 

The reason I suggest this "end run" is that IF the CRA does get verification from the CA with the requested data, you will have a STRONG HIPAA violation against the OC.

 

In addition, if the CRA refuses to properly answer, and merely says "remains" you will have a solid paper trail for an FTC complaint against the CRA.

 

Don't forget to OPT OUT!!

[Cam552GQ1]

Thanks Whychat... OPTed OUT yesterday When I pay the OC provider via Money Order (for deposit only) should I do this via letter CM? Is the reason for deposit only to stop them from sending the money order to the CA? I have limited experience with Money orders how do I endorse it for deposit only? When I spoke to them on the phone the other day I offered to pay them and they stated they couldn't accept the money because it had been sent to collections. Also the other med collection on my CR is from a seperate division within the hospital and I am pretty sure I can obtain there mailing address as well. Would you suggest I do the same to them?

[Why Chat]

Thanks Whychat... OPTed OUT yesterday When I pay the OC provider via Money Order (for deposit only) should I do this via letter CM? Is the reason for deposit only to stop them from sending the money order to the CA? I have limited experience with Money orders how do I endorse it for deposit only? When I spoke to them on the phone the other day I offered to pay them and they stated they couldn't accept the money because it had been sent to collections. Also the other med collection on my CR is from a seperate division within the hospital and I am pretty sure I can obtain there mailing address as well. Would you suggest I do the same to them?

OK, I will have to take back what I said. "they stated they couldn't accept the money because it had been sent to collections."

 

You will need to send them the HIPAA letter with insert "a".

 

Your bank can type in the "for deposit only to the account of "HOSPITAL" "endorsement on the back of the money order, or you can print it in yourself. Make sure you make a photocopy front and back of the money order before you send it.

 

Send the HIPAA letter with the money order CMRR to the LEGAL DEPT. of the Hospital, NOT the billing dept.

 

As to the "other" medical collection. I suggest you wait and see how your on-line dispute falls, and then the medical dispute letter. I also suggest that IF your communication with the Hospital was ALL by phone, you write out a "transcript" of the conversation with the dates and all information you were told.

[Cam552GQ1]

Most EXCELLENT WHYCHAT!!!!!!!! Okay I have one HIPPA letter all ready to go tracking down the Hospital legal address and will get the money order today. I also have all three Medical dispute letters waiting in envelopes incase they are needed ( pending the findings of online dispute). (In a sickening way this is almost kinda fun) I do have one paid med collection on my T.U account that was suppose to be removed. Called the nice man from the CA that told me if I paid it, it would come off of my report. He told me that he did send the info to the CRA and it should have been removed. He stated he would resubmit the information to the CRA and have it deleted. I asked him to mail me a copy, he obliged.... I gained two points on my credit score already lol....Thanks again Whychat.

[Cam552GQ1]

I was reading over the Cease/Desist paperwork on WHYCHAT's wonderful site and found this note on the letter to the CA.

 

"Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor."

 

I never signed anything stating that I would pay anyone anything. In fact I wasn't even at the hospital when services were rendered. Do I have any legal ground to stand on if they cannot produce any paperwork with my signature? Is this a letter I might consider sending or should I go through the HIPPA/Letter of dispute to the CRA's first? I was the insurance carrier and the remaining balance was the deductible that my insurance did not pay.

[Why Chat]

I was reading over the Cease/Desist paperwork on WHYCHAT's wonderful site and found this note on the letter to the CA.

 

"Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor."

 

I never signed anything stating that I would pay anyone anything. In fact I wasn't even at the hospital when services were rendered. Do I have any legal ground to stand on if they cannot produce any paperwork with my signature? Is this a letter I might consider sending or should I go through the HIPPA/Letter of dispute to the CRA's first? I was the insurance carrier and the remaining balance was the deductible that my insurance did not pay.

If this was medical treatment for a dependent child who is on your insurance then you are still responsible if someone whom you authorized to bring the child into the hospital provided them with your name and/or insurance information.

 

Medical debts are different than credit card or other loan debts.They do not have the same "signing requirements" as a regular debt, as there is basically no "contract" involved.

[Frank13]

 

Did your "temporary relocation" disrupt your mail service? Do you have a new address?. If so, you need to evaluate exactly what you want to have on your reports for your personal information.

 

If there is no basic change in your mailing address, then, yes, do the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA as advised.

 

No, my "temporary relocation" did not affect my mail service as I did not update the temporary mailing address with any creditors but instead entered a temporary forwarding order with the postal service.

 

One thing your post prompted me to do was to look at the replies that I have received from the CRA's in the past. I noticed that Trans Union does not allow their letters to be forwarded while the other two bureaus do not have any restriction.

 

I opted to wait until the temporary mail forwarding order expired before I submitted the redisputes just to avoid any potential problems.

 

My FTC complaints have been filed and the second dispute letters are being mailed CM tomorrow. Update when there is any response. Thanks again Why Chat!

 

 

Well ... the second round of disputes with the CRA's (with copies of the FTC complaints) has been completed ... and basically, I got nothing more than the first round. None of the info requested was provided ...

 

Time to move on to the HIPAA letters with payment? Or is another round of medical disputes with the CRA's in order to make a better paper trail for potential litigation re FCRA and FACTA violations in order?

[94B10]

Frank did you wait the whole 35 days with this one, the reason I ask is that I did the redispute and they got back to me with the same response a couple weeks later but then day 32 I got my report and it was deleted.

 

 

 

Did your "temporary relocation" disrupt your mail service? Do you have a new address?. If so, you need to evaluate exactly what you want to have on your reports for your personal information.

 

If there is no basic change in your mailing address, then, yes, do the FTC complaint and redispute with the CRA as advised.

 

No, my "temporary relocation" did not affect my mail service as I did not update the temporary mailing address with any creditors but instead entered a temporary forwarding order with the postal service.

 

One thing your post prompted me to do was to look at the replies that I have received from the CRA's in the past. I noticed that Trans Union does not allow their letters to be forwarded while the other two bureaus do not have any restriction.

 

I opted to wait until the temporary mail forwarding order expired before I submitted the redisputes just to avoid any potential problems.

 

My FTC complaints have been filed and the second dispute letters are being mailed CM tomorrow. Update when there is any response. Thanks again Why Chat!

 

 

Well ... the second round of disputes with the CRA's (with copies of the FTC complaints) has been completed ... and basically, I got nothing more than the first round. None of the info requested was provided ...

 

Time to move on to the HIPAA letters with payment? Or is another round of medical disputes with the CRA's in order to make a better paper trail for potential litigation re FCRA and FACTA violations in order?

Edited May 10, 2006 by 94B10

[ImGonnaGet'em]

Frank,

 

When you redisputed did you let them know that they were in violation of FACTA and FCRA? I just sent my 2nd attempt out to experian and Im hoping to get the deletions.

 

Also, did you enclose a copy of your original dispute letter?

 

Thanks!