Hello all. I am new to both CB forums and to credit repair. I am happy to have found this great community!

CONFESSION: I have ignored my credit for the past 20 or so years (probably because I have been a long-time student and doctor-in-training), but yesterday I found religion (i.e. I am about to enter the real world) and decided to get all 3 of my free annual credit reports. I discovered a few things I didn't like. Happily, I also found CB and have been reading nonstop. I read Why Chat, Chi, and portions of PsychDoc’s Stuff. I have learned a great deal…but not enough. I need HELP.

STORY: I have 3 medical CA listings. One I knew about, the other two are a surprise. I believe they are accurate, in that they correspond to medical treatment I had. But, I had medical insurance which I believe should have been responsible. There was obviously a breakdown somewhere.

All of this takes place in California in August 2002 and I believe stems from a doctor’s visit and follow up tests at a hospital, though I can’t remember the specifics. I moved to a new residence 3 months later (November 2002), which may be why I never received any bills.

LISTING DETAILS: (From EQ report, though these appear similarly on all 3)

#1)

Doctor's Office Visit
CA: I’ll call them No. 1
Date of 1st Delinquency 8/2002
Status: PAID, $69
Balance date 12/2003

Comments: For this one, I was never sent a bill. My first notice that I allegedly owed anything was a call on my cell phone from a collection agency demanding payment for $69. I then called the OC, and told them I wasn’t aware that I owed them money and would be happy to pay them directly and in full to immediately remedy the situation. The OC, of course, told me it was too late and I would have to deal with the CA. I didn’t know any better and the amount was small, so I called the CA and paid in full.

#2)

Medical Imaging (most likely) at a Hospital
CA: No.2
Date of 1st Delinquency 8/2002
Date Assigned 1/2004
Date Reported 6/2007
Status: UNPAID
Original Amount Owned $138
Balance Date 6/2007
Balance Owned $206

#3)

Unknown Hospital Bill (likely same hospital as above)
CA: No. 2
Date of 1st Delinquency 8/2002
Date Assigned 3/2003
Date Reported 6/2007
Status: UNPAID
Original Amount Owned $198
Balance Date 6/2007
Balance Owed $296

Comments: #2 and #3 are both the same CA, but different from the CA in #1. For listings #2 and #3, I have never received a bill nor been contacted by any method by the OC or the CA. My first indication that I allegedly owed anything was when I pulled my reports yesterday. Once again, I had medical insurance. I can’t recall if the insurance was responsible in full, if I would have a co-pay, or only partial coverage. I can’t recall the provider of service informing me of any of the above. This insurance was the student health plan I had at the time (I have since graduated medical school and have a different insurance plan). I have NOT yet taken any action on the above two UNPAID items.

SCORES: (on 10/23/2007)

EQ FICO: 672
TU VantageScore: 691
EX VantageScore: 768
(Scores are additionally damaged by high credit utilization)

OBJECTIVES: As I am now entering the “real world”, I will soon need to buy a car (it’s time to get rid of my hand-me-down ’89 Camry). I may also need a business loan in the next 6-18 months to buy a practice. I have the money to pay the unpaid balances and would gladly do so if it would improve my credit-worthiness and speed the removal of the negative listings from my credit reports.

GOALS: (listed in order of importance)

1) Improving my credit score and credit-worthiness to secure the loans I need at good rates by ANY legal and ethical means (including some financial compromise on my part). Time frame: 3-6 months.
2) Removing the 3 negative listings above from all 3 CRA reports or improving their appearance. Time frame: 3-6 months.
3) Determining, if possible, which party is financially responsible for the above debts and holding them accountable (including me). Time frame: infinity.

PLAN:

Opt out (done).
Reduce revolving debt (a work in progress).
Should I remove my old addresses even if they are accurate?
What should I do next?
What should be my plan of attack?

PLEA: I would appreciate any comments or advice you have for me. Please keep in mind that I am nearly an absolute beginner, having read my first credit reports yesterday. I have read as much as I could at CB in the last day. I especially appreciated, though I did not fully understand, Why Chat’s information. Why Chat, any help from you would be invaluable.

Finally, I hope others find solace in the irony that a doctor can be subject to medical collections.

Congratulations on entering the medical profession.

OPT OUT
You can make one phone call to 1-888-567-8688 [1-888-5-OPTOUT] to opt-out ,be sure to select the "permanent" opt-out

Get old addresses deleted, if possible.

THEN, ( and ONLY then) send the medical dispute letter to each CRA, list ALL the medical accounts as they appear on THAT credit report.
http://whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

The accuracy or validity of the original billing is NOT the issue, the issue is the validity of the REPORTING.

Once you have received a response, post back here ON THIS THREAD with your results and I will get you through the next steps.

P.S. If you have OTHER stuff you are going to dispute ( non medical) wait until THESE are resolved before disputing anything else.

Thanks Why Chat! I'll post back with my progress.

Why Chat (or anyone who is willing to help), I have a few follow-up questions.

Opting Out:

1) When I opted out over the phone I was not given a permanent option. A recorded voice stated the duration would lbe imited to five years. Is this correct?

2) How do I verify the opt out has actually taken effect?

Deleting Names and Adresses

1) Multiple name conflict: My name appears in many different forms on the CRA reports. However, I often go by my middle name, and some of my credit cards are actully under my middle name only. I should obviously keep my full name, but should I also keep the variation with middle name only?

2) I have many old, though correct addresses listed. From what I understand, I am not required to let the CRA's list these, correct?

3) Utility and DL address conflict: I have a current address demonstrated with utility bills. However, as a student of many, many years, I was prone to moving quite a bit, so I have my Driver's License address as my parent's home address. Should I change my DL address with the DMV to my current address and have my parent's address removed from the CRA reports? Or should I leave both my current address and DL address on the reports? Or should I have all but my current address removed regardless of what my DL says?

Any and all suggestions would be apprectiated. Thanks

Your various name forms are OK, as long as they are all actually yours. The address deletions are a little more complex. You are going to have to get a new drivers license for your current correct address before you do anything with the addresses, ( you are usually required by State laws to do that anyway). If most of your credit problems were engendered while you were using your parent's address, then you should certainly try to get it deleted.

You will need to dispute the addresses as "not valid" and send each CRA a request for deletion with a copy of your drivers license, a copy of your SS card and an ORIGINAL utility bill dated within 90 days of your request that shows your current name and address.

When disputing addresses must you include a copy of your Driver's License or is there another reasonable substitute which is acceptable?

The reason I ask is because my state will not issue a new license after a change of address. They instruct you to take a small piece of paper and to write (in ink) your new address, sign and date it and place next to your license. Not likely to be entirely convincing to the CRAs I expect. To get a new license it has to be reported lost/stollen, which requires a visit to the DMV and nearly 2 months to process the new license. I would strongly prefer to avoid this delay. However, is the cheap paper temporary license the DMV issues immediately sufficient?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hmmm--- how about the other ID (utility bill)?? The reason you do NOT want to use your old DL is because the address on THAT is likely one you are disputing.

If you have a utility bill in your name with your current address and a copy of your SS card, that might do the job. If not, it isn't very important in your case as you have NO accounts that are "dangerous", i.e. able to file suit against you.

At some point you DO need to get a current drivers license, especially if your present drivers license address is at your parent's home.

Why Chat,

I've taken your advice to heart and decided not to cut any corners. I have changed my address on my DL and the new license should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. Then I will proceed to dispute old addresses. The process is slow, but I will keep posting my progress here on CB forums. Thanks Why Chat.

I now have a new and accurate driver license and will request for the inaccurate addresses to be removed from my reports.

Do cell phone bills and/or bank statements count as utility bills for address correction requests? If not what does?

Also, does anyone know a good template letter for removing adresses?

Somewhere around is an old post of mine that provides a "template" for address changes.

Basically all you need to say is ( handwritten on yellow lined legal pad) :
My name is xxxxx my SS # is xxxxx, this letter is being sent certified mail # xxxxx.

The address of xxxxxx and xxxxxx on my report # xxxxxx are incorrect, my only correct current address is xxx xxxx, as proof I am enclosing a copy of my drivers license and a current cell phone bill that shows my ONLY correct address.

Please delete these other incorrect addresses as I believe I may be subject to ID theft if any mail addressed to me at those incorrect addresses is stolen.