WhyChat - how should I proceed?

[ariadne]

First a little background:

 

Back in October before I had heard about this process, when I had just started the process of cleaning up my credit I decided to try a PFD for this item because it was a small amount and, even if I wasn't sure it was legit, I figured that would be the fastest way to get it removed. I sent the CA a PFD (CMRR so I know they got it) but received NO response from them. The only thing that happened was that they reported that I was disputing to the CRAs. (This may have been because I used a poorly worded template.) I hope that didn't screw things up.

 

 

I went off and worked on other stuff in the meantime and now I am down to this item and some liens. I found out about your Hipaa process and decided to try it. Here's where I am:

 

1) Opted out

2) Disputed addresses - Sent (regular mail) w/copy of my DL with current address and copy of recent util bill.

• Results
  • TU - Removed all but one really old one. Not sure why, it's not tied to anything
  • EX - Removed all but my last one (moved 3 months ago) and one from about 10 years ago.
  • EQ - Removed all

3) 2/27 Sent pre-Hipaa letter to all three CRAs in teal font with blue watermark. Sent CM but not RR.

• Results:
  • TU - deleted.
  • EQ - no response so far
  • EX - Just got the following response from them in today's mail:

"Dear ariadne, If you question the results of our dispute process, then you may want to contact the furnisher of the information directly or review the original information in the public record. Please refer to your original personal credit report for the furnisher or public records office name, address, and phone number (if available). "

There is no mention of whether they are going to delete but I assume this means "no" because I pull my CRs daily on USAA and it's still there as of this morning.

 

 

What should I do now? Do I need to wait to hear from EQ before continuing?

 

About the account:

It is *possible* that I owe this. I did have surgery at the hospital that is listed but the surgery was in 2004. I don't have any medical records going back that far but the way I know this is that my son was around 1 yr old, I was still nursing him and it was very traumatic for both of us. I was FULLY insured but I guess this could have been some type of co-pay. Regardless, it seems WAY past the period where they should be able to report it. This hospital folded in 2009 and then was bought and reopened under another name. The way this CA is reporting is as follows:

 

• EX: Date opened - 12/2008, First Reported - 6/2009, Recent balance $100 as of 1/2013, Status: This account is scheduled to continue on record until May 2015
• TU: Placed for collection - 12/2008, Balance - $115, est month/yr this item will be removed: 7/2015
• EQ: Date reported - 3/2011, Date assigned - 12/2008, DOFD 8/2008, Balance date - 3/2011, balance owed $115

[Why Chat]

So far so good.

 

Wait until you have a response from Eq.

 

Go to the Ex website, click on "new dispute" ( do NOT actually enter a new dispute) this will bring up your current report. ( This is called the "back door") See how, or even IF the account is reporting.

 

If Eq hasn't deleted do the same on their website.

 

If the account is still actually reporting on one or both of these reports, send the reporting CA the medical DV:from the HIPAA dispute program.

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDE%20HIPAA%20PROGRAM.html

 

and then send each CRA the follow up dispute.

[ariadne]

Thanks Whychat!

 

So, I wasn't sure if you meant I should wait until I hear back from EQ to do anything or if I should go right now and backdoor EX and EQ so I went ahead and took a peek. Here are the results:

 

EQ: Says "Consumer disputes this account information. Collection account."

EX: When I first look at the section there is a header above the name of the CA that says "Important Note: This item is currently being investigated."

When I click on the details, under "Your Statement" it says: "Completed investigation of FCRA dispute. Consumer disagrees."

Note that this is different from what it said in the hard copy they sent me 2/25 with the results of my address deletion request. On that one it says under "Comment" - "Account information disputed by consumer (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.) I think this was a leftover from my PFD.

 

 

So, should I still wait to hear back from EQ?

 

 

Also, I don't think there is going to be a way to pay this one to the OC as they went belly up in 2009 unless it's possible to pay the hospital that bought them? At any rate, it's totally bogus that they are on my CR, they are lying about the DOFD as I had the surgery in 2004.

[Why Chat]

Send the medical DVs to the CA, one for Eq and one for Ex in the same envelope, ( certified only as this is obviously a JDB who would never pick up mail that needs to be signed for) and then send the follow up disputes to Eq and Ex

[ariadne]

Thanks again Whychat!

 

Follow up question:

As I started to put the letters together I remembered that this debt is reported differently on EQ than it is on EX or TU. That is, it shows a different CA name and address.(Same/similar amount, original creditor, date, and account number) If you google them, you can see that they are the same company (with BOATLOADS of lawsuits).

 

Presumably I should send each letter to the address shown on each CR, right?

 

Also, do I need to wait for confirmation they have received the letters before I send the follow up disputes to EX and EQ?

[Why Chat]

You send the medical DV to each CA as they are reporting on the CRA account you are disputing. If you have the same account reporting differently on your reports you must make sure that the medical DV matches the name and address of the account you are disputing. In your case you can send 2 medical DVs to the one CA that is reporting on Ex and TU ( one for Ex and one for TU) in the same envelope, but you will need to send a separate medical DV to the OTHER CA reporting to Eq.

 

Yes you need to wait for confirmation of receipt before you send out the follow up disputes as you need to send a copy to each CRA along with a copy of "their" medical DV.

[ariadne]

OK, thanks WhyChat! I'm on it! Will send out tomorrow and report back with results.

 

BTW: Don't know if this is in any way relevant but I noticed something odd when I did my daily USAA pull. USAA now shows both EQ and EX together under the same CA name (the one on the EX report) and in the details the account name for EQ is blank. I back-doored EQ but it's still showing under that different name/address.

[ariadne]

Update: Got response from EQ in yesterday's mail:

"We have researched the collection account. Account # XXXXXXX The results are: We verified this item belongs to you. Additional information has been provided from the original source regarding this item. If you have additional questions about this item please contact: Collection Agency name, address, phone number"

 

I have already sent off the medical DVs to the CA(s) CM no RR. Question: How long do I wait after confirming receipt to send the follow-up disputes?

[Why Chat]

Immediately

[ariadne]

OK, so I got confirmation that both DVs were received today and sent off my follow-up disputes to EX and EQ CMRR.

[ariadne]

Got a response from Experian in the mail today. It says they have placed an Initial Security Alert in my file "as you requested or in accordance with Experian's identity theft protection policies...". WTH?? I didn't ask for a Security Alert? What does that mean? I'm worried now because I'm planning on applying for a car loan in the next month or so. Will I be able to get a loan? Also, I noticed a couple days ago I'm no longer able to backdoor TU and I'm wondering if that's why? (Haven't tried EX or EQ)

 

The other thing that was included appears to be a generic MOV response:

 

Dear ariadne,

When you dispute the accuracy or completeness of information on your personal credit report and tell us specifically why you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete, we process your dispute as required by law. We contact the furnisher of the information or the vendor that collected the information from the public record source such as a court of other government office. We ask the furnisher or the vendor to conduct a thorough and complete to verify..." Blah blah blah. It goes on for the whole page but gives no specific information.

 

There was NO mention of the medical account in dispute.

 

What now?

Edited April 8, 2013 by ariadne

[ariadne]

Also, I have still received no communication from the CA. (They received my DV on March 21.)

[ariadne]

UPDATE: Received response from EQ today:

 

The results of our Reinvestigation

 

>>>We have researched the collection account. Account # xxxxxxxxx The results are: We verified that this item belongs to you. If you have additional questions about this item please contact: Scummy Collection Agency, address, phone number.

 

Scummy Collection Agency; Collection Reported 4/2013, Assigned 12/2008, Creditor Class - Medical/Health Care; Client - Hospital which went out of business in early 2009; Amount - $100; Status as of 4/2013 - Unpaid; Date of 1st Delinquency 07/2008 (NOT POSSIBLE) Balance as of 4/2013 - $100; Individual Account; Account # xxxxxxxx; ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Consumer Disputes This Account Information; Collection Account; Address: phone number.

 

I also got a mail about an Initial Fraud Alert being placed on my file.

 

I have yet to hear a peep from the CA. They received my DV on March 21. I guess I should still wait the 30 days? Even if I did owe the the old hospital hey are totally lying about the DOFD. The surgery was in 2004 and I seriously doubt I owed anything.

[Why Chat]

You opted out??

You deleted old addresses?

You sent the initial dispute letter to the CRAs?

You obtained NO deletions from any CRA report?

You sent the medical DV to the reporting CA?

You sent the follow up dispute to the CRAs?

 

http://whychat.5u.com/GUIDE%20HIPAA%20PROGRAM.html

[ariadne]

You opted out?? Yes

You deleted old addresses? Yes. (Most were deleted but not all. See first post in topic for details.)

You sent the initial dispute letter to the CRAs? Yes

You obtained NO deletions from any CRA report? TU deleted

You sent the medical DV to the reporting CA? Yes, I have received no response from them so far. They received it on March 21.

You sent the follow up dispute to the CRAs? Yes, EQ verified and haven't had response from EX yet.

 

http://whychat.5u.com/GUIDE%20HIPAA%20PROGRAM.html

[Why Chat]

OK,

Wait until you have a response from Ex.

 

You say TU deleted-- EVERY ACCOUNT YOU DISPUTED??

 

If Ex verifies then post back here with the date of the medical services.

[ariadne]

OK, thanks WhyChat. I will wait to hear back from EX.

 

There is/was only one account.

[ariadne]

Update: Checked backdoor on EX and looks like they have "verified" and it's still on there. Here's my progress to date:

1) Opted out

2) Disputed addresses - Sent (regular mail) w/copy of my DL with current address and copy of recent util bill.

• Results
  • TU - Removed all but one really old one. Not sure why, it's not tied to anything
  • EX - Removed all but my last one (moved 3 months ago) and one from about 10 years ago.
  • EQ - Removed all

3) 2/27 Sent pre-Hipaa letter to all three CRAs in teal font with blue watermark. Sent CM but not RR.

• Results:
  • TU - deleted.
  • EQ - "We have researched the collection account. Account # XXXXXXX The results are: We verified this item belongs to you. Additional information has been provided from the original source regarding this item. If you have additional questions about this item please contact: Collection Agency name, address, phone number"
  • EX - Response in mail:

"Dear ariadne, If you question the results of our dispute process, then you may want to contact the furnisher of the information directly or review the original information in the public record. Please refer to your original personal credit report for the furnisher or public records office name, address, and phone number (if available). "

There is no mention of whether they are going to delete but I assume this means "no" because I pull my CRs daily on USAA and it's still there as of this morning.

4) 3/18 sent off the medical DVs to the CA. CM no RR - delivery confirmation on 3/21. I have received nothing from them.

 

5) 3/21 Got confirmation that medical DV's delivered and sent follow-up Hipaa letter, print out of medical DV and confirmation of delivery to CRAs. Sent CMRR.

 

6) 4/8 Response from Experian in the mail.

Dear ariadne,

When you dispute the accuracy or completeness of information on your personal credit report and tell us specifically why you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete, we process your dispute as required by law. We contact the furnisher of the information or the vendor that collected the information from the public record source such as a court of other government office. We ask the furnisher or the vendor to conduct a thorough and complete to verify..." They also placed an Initial Security Alert in my file.

7) 4/18 Checked EX backdoor and the account no longer is notated that it is being investigated and has the following in the status details section: "This account is scheduled to continue on record until Apr 2015.

This item was updated from our processing of your dispute in Apr 2013."

 

What do I do now? To recap the background here: This hospital is closed, was closed in early 2009, bought by another company and reopened later that year under a new name. They list DOFD as 7/2008 (likely when they hospitals assets were being sold off I imagine). I did go to this hospital ONCE in my life for surgery...in 2004.

 

Thanks for your help Whychat!

[Why Chat]

If Experian ( AKA "The Devil") is the only CRA who has not deleted, then file the FTC /CFPB complaint against them and send them the copies with a cover letter.

 

http://whychat.5u.com/hipaaftccomp.html

[ariadne]

Whoops!! Step 6 should have said EQ not EX (can't figure out how to go back and edit so pasting it here):

 

 

6) 4/8 Response from Experian Equifax in the mail.

Dear ariadne,

When you dispute the accuracy or completeness of information on your personal credit report and tell us specifically why you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete, we process your dispute as required by law. We contact the furnisher of the information or the vendor that collected the information from the public record source such as a court of other government office. We ask the furnisher or the vendor to conduct a thorough and complete to verify..." They also placed an Initial Security Alert in my file.

So, both EQ and EX have "verified". Do I file complaints against both of them? What about the CA who is apparently sending "validation" information to them? In my complaint should I also mention that IF I owed anything it would be from 2004 which is way out of the legal timeframe for reporting?

[Why Chat]

OK, you opted out, deleted old addresses sent the initial dispute, Eq and Ex did not delete.

You sent the medical DV to the reporting CA

You sent the follow up disputes to Eq and Ex

 

What was the response from Ex??

[ariadne]

OK, you opted out, deleted old addresses sent the initial dispute, Eq and Ex did not delete.

You sent the medical DV to the reporting CA

You sent the follow up disputes to Eq and Ex

 

What was the response from Ex??

 

7) 4/18 Checked EX backdoor and the account no longer is notated that it is being investigated and has the following in the status details section: "This account is scheduled to continue on record until Apr 2015.

This item was updated from our processing of your dispute in Apr 2013."

[Why Chat]

OK, so you need to file a complaint against both Eq and Ex

[ariadne]

OK, thanks Whychat. What about the CA who is apparently sending "validation" information to them? Should I also file a complaint against them? Also, in my complaint should I also mention that IF I owed anything it would be from 2004 which is way out of the legal timeframe for reporting?

[Why Chat]

It is doubtful that the CA is actually sending "validation" it is more than likely it is an automated ( e-oscar) response.

 

As to the date, yes certainly you should state that the unknown alleged medical account as reported is for services over 9 years ago.