QUOTE(starrrdust143 @ Jan 30 2008, 03:38 AM)
Ok, so WhyChat has already been kind enough to take me babysteps through my other issue, and then this! A letter from a CA for a bill I've never seen from a hospital I'm sure I've never been to. The letter pretty much says this:
Account # XXXXXXXXX
Creditor: Names hospital I have no memory of going to ever, at least within 5 years.
Total due: $800 and some change
Our records indicate that you refuse to pay the above referenced balance. Please notify this office if you can not pay this balance. you may qualify for relief from this debt. We will be happy to advise you ofthe eligibility requirements.
Telephone: (888)XXX-XXXX or (610)XXX-XXXX
This communication is from a debt collector and is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.Alright. Well, as of today it isn't on my reports. I looked up the hospital. And while it is one in my city...I've not been there before. I have never received a hospital bill from them prior to this. Just got this collection letter out of nowhere. My head hurts.
Putting this together with your other posts , I believe you are the victim of ID theft.
Have you opted out??
Check all your reports VERY CAREFULLY, ( not the "true credit" or other 3rd party supplier, but a REAL report directly from each CRA.
Look for strange inquiries, unknown addresses etc.
In the meantime send this to the CA:
Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234
ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL
Date: _________ CRRR#____________
Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being sent to you in response to your attached letter.
This is not a refusal to pay, but a notice that your claim is disputed.
I believe I may be a victim of identity theft or fraud.
Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), I have the right to request validation of the debt you say I owe you. I am requesting proof that I am indeed the party you are asking to pay this debt, and there is some contractual obligation which is binding on me to pay this debt.
Please attach copies of:
Agreement with your client that grants you the authority to collect on this alleged debt,or proof of acquisition by purchase or assignment.
Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor and as this is a medical account a copy of any HIPAA authorization.
Please also be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all collection activities.
Your receipt of this letter will be considered as having granted consent to the taping of any and all telephone calls to me at my home or business by you or your agents or assigns
I require compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter within 30 days. or a complete withdrawal, in writing, of any claim.
In the event of noncompliance, I reserve the right to file charges and/or complaints with appropriate County, State & Federal authorities ,the BBB and State Bar associations for violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and State statutes on fraudulent extortion and illegal collection activities on any account that has been timely disputed as fraudulent, as well as being subject to the HIPAA and (name of your State) medical privacy rules.
I also hereby reserve my right to take private civil action against you to recover damages.
Sincerely,
Your Name(PRINT OR TYPE DO NOT SIGN) You should also put a fraud alert on your reports and report this as ID theft to the FTC
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/widtpubl$.s...Z_ORG_CODE=PU03