Starting medical collection process - need clarification

[mariuszh]

After reading up on WhyChat's process for medical collections for quite a while, I am ready to start the process.

 

I have completed the first step of opting out.

 

I obtained all 3 of my reports via annualcreditreport.com.

 

I am currently on the step of removing old addresses, this is where I need some clarification. Here is what I have so far:

 

• Letter listing the incorrect addresses and requesting they be removed to prevent identity theft/fraud.
• Personal information page of the credit report with each old address circled in red
• Utility bill
• Copy of SS Card and Drivers License

 

Do I send this to each CRA as standard mail, Certificate of Mailing, or Certified Mail? And do I also include a Return Receipt?

 

The last thing I can't seem to find a good answer on using the search function of the site is regarding checking your reports through the back door. I pulled all three reports on March 28th, how exactly do I access the reports via the "back door" to check on the progress?

 

 

[Why Chat]

You can send your requests certified mail only to each CRA, ( make sure they are properly typed )

 

The "back door" is a method of looking at your current reports by going to each CRA website and clicking on "new dispute" you do NOT actually enter a new dispute, however this will give you access to your current report.

[mariuszh]

You can send your requests certified mail only to each CRA, ( make sure they are properly typed )

 

When you say make sure they are properly typed, are you referring to the address dispute letter or envelope?

 

Is it OK to handwrite the address on the envelope or does that need to be typed? I have never sent anything via Certified Mail. Looking on the USPS website it says that Certified Mail is the following:

 

Find out when your item was delivered or delivery was attempted. Requires the signature of the recipient.

 

I am still sending it Certified Mail even though it is being sent to PO Boxes?

 

I just want to follow the HIPPA process to a T.

[Why Chat]

 

You can send your requests certified mail only to each CRA, ( make sure they are properly typed )

 

When you say make sure they are properly typed, are you referring to the address dispute letter or envelope? BOTH- you can print the envelope

 

Is it OK to handwrite the address on the envelope or does that need to be typed? YESI have never sent anything via Certified Mail. Looking on the USPS website it says that Certified Mail is the following:

 

Find out when your item was delivered or delivery was attempted. Requires the signature of the recipient. You can go to the PO and pick up several of the certified mail forms, that way you will have the tracking # to insert into the body of your letters. You can send certified mail WITHOUT a return receipt requested and WITHOUT any signed proof of delivery. That is what is recommended

 

I am still sending it Certified Mail even though it is being sent to PO Boxes? Yes

 

I just want to follow the HIPPA process to a T.

[mariuszh]

I sent the address deletion letters today certified mail. Three quick questions.

 

 

Shall I expect to receive a letter from each CRA stating which if any addresses have been deleted?

 

If a CRA refuses to delete any addresses, will they notify me in writing to this effect?

 

I do NOT send the pre HIPPA medical dispute letters to the CRA's until the address step is completed, whether the addresses are removed or not, correct?

[mariuszh]

Another question to add to my last post, is it possible to check on the status of address removals through the back door?

[Why Chat]

Wait until you have written confirmation that the addresses were deleted, or check the back door 2 weeks after the CRA receives your address dispute before sending the initial dispute letter.

 

If some or all of the addresses are not deleted, go ahead with the initial dispute anyway. The address deletions make it easier to have a successful dispute but they are not essential.

[mariuszh]

My certified letters to the CRA's in regards to removing addresses have been delivered. As I am waiting on the resolution of the address disputes I will be preparing my pre hippa dispute letters to the CRA's. In regards to hand addressing the envelope and the personalized stationary, these are my questions

 

Does the envelope need to be addresses in purple or teal ink?

 

Does the letter need to be handwritten, or can I type and print it with purple/teal ink in italics?

 

Does the stationary/watermark need to be in the purple/teal color family?

[Why Chat]

My certified letters to the CRA's in regards to removing addresses have been delivered. As I am waiting on the resolution of the address disputes I will be preparing my pre hippa dispute letters to the CRA's. In regards to hand addressing the envelope and the personalized stationary, these are my questions

 

Does the envelope need to be addresses in purple or teal ink? NO, it should be in black or dark blue and clearly printed so the PO scanners can read it

 

Does the letter need to be handwritten, or can I type and print it with purple/teal ink in italics? The link to the dispute letter contains a "sample" indicating the use of a computer generated watermark background and a computer generated script font that "blends" into the background design so that the CRA computer systems can not "read" it but a HUMAN BEING can. Be sure to follow the ENTIRE script of the letter as the "sample" was abridged to just show the method, and does not show the entire letter. You can use any color font, background, however it is harder for the automated computer "readers" to distinguish letters from the background in the blue/purple/green family

 

Does the stationary/watermark need to be in the purple/teal color family?

[mariuszh]

I spoke too soon - TransUnion and Equifax address deletion letters were delivered according to the USPS.com tracking information. Experian's letter is still saying Departed sort facility on April 4th. I am assuming that nobody was there willing to sign for a certified letter? It was sent to:

 

EXPERIAN - NCAC
PO BOX 9701
ALLEN TX 75013

 

WhyChat, in response to your answer in the last post - The pre HIPPA dispute letters needs to printed in a script (cursive) font correct?

[Why Chat]

I spoke too soon - TransUnion and Equifax address deletion letters were delivered according to the USPS.com tracking information. Experian's letter is still saying Departed sort facility on April 4th. I am assuming that nobody was there willing to sign for a certified letter? The instructions CLEARLY say to send it certified ONLY without a return receiptIt was sent to:

 

EXPERIAN - NCAC

PO BOX 9701

ALLEN TX 75013

 

WhyChat, in response to your answer in the last post - The pre HIPPA dispute letters needs to printed in a script (cursive) font correct?A script or other font that has few straight lines in a color that blends with the background is what works

[mariuszh]

Why Chat,

 

I did not send it with a return receipt. I sent it Certified Mail ONLY. When at the post office, they told me that certified only still requires a signature for delivery. I did NOT elect to purchase the return receipt option by filling out the "green card". I used the certified mail sticker with 20 digits on it for tracking, made absolutely sure no return receipt is involved.

[Why Chat]

Why Chat,

 

I did not send it with a return receipt. I sent it Certified Mail ONLY. When at the post office, they told me that certified only still requires a signature for delivery. I did NOT elect to purchase the return receipt option by filling out the "green card". I used the certified mail sticker with 20 digits on it for tracking, made absolutely sure no return receipt is involved.

Don't know why they told you that!! NOT TRUE!!

[mariuszh]

 

Why Chat,

 

I did not send it with a return receipt. I sent it Certified Mail ONLY. When at the post office, they told me that certified only still requires a signature for delivery. I did NOT elect to purchase the return receipt option by filling out the "green card". I used the certified mail sticker with 20 digits on it for tracking, made absolutely sure no return receipt is involved.

Don't know why they told you that!! NOT TRUE!!

 

Something in my gut told me the person that was at the post office wasn't telling me accurate info. I'll wait to see if it ends up being delivered or not. If it comes back I'll resend it.

[mariuszh]

 

Why Chat,

 

I did not send it with a return receipt. I sent it Certified Mail ONLY. When at the post office, they told me that certified only still requires a signature for delivery. I did NOT elect to purchase the return receipt option by filling out the "green card". I used the certified mail sticker with 20 digits on it for tracking, made absolutely sure no return receipt is involved.

Don't know why they told you that!! NOT TRUE!!

 

In preparation to send my pre hippa letters, I went to two separate post offices today to ask whether certified ONLY can be delivered without a signature. Both times I was told that Certified Mail REQUIRES a signature, no exceptions... I am now at a total of 3 out of 3 USPS employees telling me that information.

 

My address disputes all got there with certified mail and signature, although Experian took 5 days longer. You recommend sending them certified without signature, but it seems that either the USPS employees in my area are telling me inaccurate information or maybe it is no longer possible to mail certified without signature at delivery. Any thoughts on this?

[Why Chat]

If you are doing a lot of disputing, I suggest that you obtain a stack of the green certified mail forms in advance. ( and a few return receipt cards)

 

That way you have the certified mail #s to insert into the text of your dispute, AND you can affix the certified mail form ( minus the strip that goes on return receipt forms) to the envelope.

 

I have in the past also suggested that you affix postage to the envelope, $2.95 for the certified mail + .45 first class stamp. I prefer to advise my (mostly senior ) disputers to use a variety of postage denominations to get to the required postage. It looks messy and definitely from a "consumer".

 

Here is the "official" information from the USPS website, I have highlighted the operative lines:

 

 

Certified Mail® provides the following service:

Provides the sender with a mailing receipt (see PS Form 3800 / Receipt for Certified Mail ) This is the receipt from the certified mail form

Upon request, provides electronic verification that an article was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made

Maintains a proof of delivery record (copy of the recipient's signature) that is kept at the Post Office™ two years from the date of mailing IF proof of delivery was requested and paid for

NOTE: The proof of delivery record is not automatically mailed back to the sender with this service, however:
Signature proof can be requested at the time of mailing by purchasing the Return Receipt service. Customers have the option of receiving the return receipt by mail or electronically
Signature proof can also be requested after the mailing by purchasing the Return Receipt After Mailing service

Edited April 13, 2013 by Why Chat

[mariuszh]

I have obtained several certifed mail forms and green cards. My issue is that it seems every post office near me will not give me the option of sending certified mail WITHOUT signature.

[Why Chat]

You don't have to go to the PO, just affix the form and postage to the envelope and put in the drop box. If you must go to the PO, INSIST on it being sent WITHOUT proof of receipt.

 

The PO employees are trained to try to sell the maximum services.

[mariuszh]

The results of my address deletions are back:

 

TU - Deleted all old addresses

EQ - Deleted all old addresses

EX - Deleted all but one old address, but that old one was from before any of the medical issues.

 

HOWEVER, Experian also deleted my Social Security number. I found that odd, I never included that request in my letter, and I mailed a copy of my SS card. Will this prove to be an issue? Also, I did not receive a copy of my new reports with EQ and EX, just a summary of the deletions.

 

The summary responses from EQ and EX have a different report # then the original that I disputed from. When I write my pre-hipaa letter, do I reference my original report # or the report # from the summary I received with the address deletions?

[Why Chat]

The results of my address deletions are back:

 

TU - Deleted all old addresses

EQ - Deleted all old addresses

EX - Deleted all but one old address, but that old one was from before any of the medical issues.

 

HOWEVER, Experian also deleted my Social Security number. I found that odd, I never included that request in my letter, and I mailed a copy of my SS card. Will this prove to be an issue? Also, I did not receive a copy of my new reports with EQ and EX, just a summary of the deletions. It is normal to just get the results of your disputes, it is NOT normal to delete your SS # unless you requested it not be shown in your response. Go on line to each CRA and click on new dispute, DO NOT actually do a new dispute. You will be able to see your current report. ( This is what we call the "back door")

 

The summary responses from EQ and EX have a different report # then the original that I disputed from. When I write my pre-hipaa letter, do I reference my original report # or the report # from the summary I received with the address deletions?

Use the report # that shows on your most recent correspondence. Once you view your reports via the "back door" you may not have to send any disputes as the accounts may not be there any more.

Edited April 22, 2013 by Why Chat

[mariuszh]

On the response under results it has it listed the following way:

 

Name Deleted

Residence Deleted

Social Security Number Deleted

 

The name I understand, they had two inaccurate spellings of my name which I asked to be removed.

Residence is obviously my old addresses.

 

The SSN troubles me. Do you think this is something that will hinder my HIPAA process? Have you ever heard of this happening before?

[mariuszh]

 

The results of my address deletions are back:

 

TU - Deleted all old addresses

EQ - Deleted all old addresses

EX - Deleted all but one old address, but that old one was from before any of the medical issues.

 

HOWEVER, Experian also deleted my Social Security number. I found that odd, I never included that request in my letter, and I mailed a copy of my SS card. Will this prove to be an issue? Also, I did not receive a copy of my new reports with EQ and EX, just a summary of the deletions. It is normal to just get the results of your disputes, it is NOT normal to delete your SS # unless you requested it not be shown in your response. Go on line to each CRA and click on new dispute, DO NOT actually do a new dispute. You will be able to see your current report. ( This is what we call the "back door")

 

The summary responses from EQ and EX have a different report # then the original that I disputed from. When I write my pre-hipaa letter, do I reference my original report # or the report # from the summary I received with the address deletions?

Use the report # that shows on your most recent correspondence. Once you view your reports via the "back door" you may not have to send any disputes as the accounts may not be there any more.

I viewed the reports and the collections are still there. I will be sending the pre hipaa letters CM only tomorrow. I had no trouble accessing the EX report even though they deleted my social. I will update when I receive responses from the pre hipaa letters. Thanks Why Chat!

[mariuszh]

One more quick question before I fire off the pre hipaa letters. On your sample letter I notice you have name, address, and date at the top. Do we include this information at the top of the pre hipaa dispute letter or include ONLY what you have written in your guide.

[Why Chat]

The "sample" letter is posted only to show how a colored font blends into a background "watermark" I did not include the whole text of the initial dispute letter because there wasn't enough room.

 

You can use the method of printing shown,or ( preferably)handwrite with ordinary ball point on blue lined yellow legal pad paper, ( providing you have a legible cursive longhand)

 

Make sure you have your name and address on top, either centered or as part of the letterhead.

[mariuszh]

I recieved the dispute results from only TU so far. TU deleted 2 out of 3 medical collections. The CA that remains on TU is Commonwealth Fin Systems.

 

This particular collection that remains on TU is only reporting on TU, however a very similar collection is reporting on EQ. The amount, date of first delinquincy, date reported, account #, and date assigned is the same. The difference is the name of the CA and address. Although both addresses in are in the same city. The CA that is on EQ is Northeast Credit & Collect.

 

I am thinking that both CA's are somehow related. Since technically Commonwealth Fin Systems is only on TU, am I OK to proceed with the Medical DV now, or should I just wait until EQ and EX dispute results come back?