Question before beginning WhyChat's HIPAA process

[rcb4au]

I have been checking out creditboards.com for a while now, but just today decided to create an account because I've been unable to find the answer to a question I have.

 

I have pulled all of my credit reports and have hard copies of them, and when looking at them (Experian, specifically), I noticed that I have 10 names and 7 addresses listed on the report. I saw another topic that said to send letters with proof of current address (DL and utility bill) and request that the inaccurate information be removed from the report, so I have put a letter together to send for the addresses.

 

Here is the letter:

 

Name

Address

Date

 

Dear Experian:

The following addresses on my credit report are incorrect. Please remove them
from my file. I am enclosing copies of my Drivers License and a recent utility
bill as proof of my identity and my address.

1. XXXX

2. XXXX

3. XXXX

4. XXXX

5. XXXX

6. XXXX

7. XXXX

Sincerely,

name

SS#

DOB

 

My question is this:

 

Do I need to send a letter to the CRAs requesting that incorrect names be removed in addition to the letter re: incorrect addresses or can these letters be combined into one?

 

Thanks!

[Why Chat]

Yes, make sure you include a copy of your credit report with the errors circled in red, you can include ALL the errors in one letter to each CRA. I suggest you opt out BEFORE sending out these letters as otherwise your corrections will be SOLD to data miners, which would defeat the whole purpose.

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDEBOOK.html

[rcb4au]

I have already Opted Out - got tired of all the junk mail! Thanks for your help!

[rcb4au]

Is it absolutely necessary to wait for confirmation of deleted addresses on CRs before sending dispute letters? I've been reading that EX isn't very good about deletions and I'd like to really get this ball rolling.

 

I already have my dispute letters written and in envelopes ready to be sent!

[rcb4au]

One more question...

 

If the accounts come back verified with matching detail response from CA, the next step is to pay the OC with the "letter to HCP with insert A" Is this letter to be sent CMRR?

 

I have been reading WhyChat's site for hours and I feel like while the info is great, I'm going in circles (chasing my own tail so to speak).

[Why Chat]

A "verification" from the CRAs will not and can not include any personal medical data.

 

The ONLY one who can supply the answers to the questions in the initial dispute letter is the reporting CA-- IF they are in a current business relationship with the OC. If you get a response from the CA-- then you know they are in a current business relationship. If the CRAs merely "verify" and you have no response from the CA, then you need to go to the next step in the HIPAA letter program, the medical DV and follow up dispute.

[rcb4au]

Since I last posted, I, like many others on this board, got busy with life and did not send out my letters, and I'm glad I did. The new letters are much more simplified and easier to write by hand! I pulled copies of my credit report from all CRA's and sent out the dispute form from WhyChat's site via USPS CM with copies of reports and information circled.

 

To update, I have 2 medical collections showing EX and EQ and 3 on TU. The 3rd showing on TU was paid in 2010 (before I knew about CB!), but was paid to the OC and not the CA because I was receiving bills from both the OC and the CA, so I decided it was best to pay the OC. Not necessarily the best move, but I'd like to know what steps to take to get it off my report!

 

Showing on all 3:

 

FRANKLIN COLL SVC #ACCT****

2978 W JACKSON ST

TUPELO, MS 38803

(662) 8447776

Placed for Collection: 07/17/2009

Responsibility: Individual Account

Account Type: Open Account

Loan Type: COLLECTION AGENCY/ATTORNEY

Balance: $337

Date Updated: 08/25/2009

Original Amount: $337

Original Creditor: MEDICAL PHYSICAL THERAPY SOLUTIONS

(Medical/Health Care)

Past Due: >$337<

Pay Status: >In Collection<

Remarks: >PLACED FOR COLLECTION<

Estimated month and year that this item will be removed: 02/2016

 

AMSHERCOLLECTIONSERVICES #ACCT****

600 BEACON PKWY W

SUITE 300

BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

(205) 3224110

Placed for Collection: 08/06/2009

Responsibility: Individual Account

Account Type: Open Account

Loan Type: COLLECTION AGENCY/ATTORNEY

Balance: $88

Date Updated: 09/13/2009

Original Amount: $88

Original Creditor: MEDICAL DR ROBERT W NESBITT MD PC (Medical/Health Care)

Past Due: >$88<

Pay Status: >In Collection<

Remarks: >PLACED FOR COLLECTION<

Estimated month and year that this item will be removed: 02/2016

 

Only showing on TU:

 

MIRAMED REVENUE GROUP #67426**

991 OAK CREEK DR

LOMBARD, IL 60148

(630) 4244000

Placed for Collection: 04/16/2010

Responsibility: Individual Account

Account Type: Open Account

Loan Type: COLLECTION AGENCY/ATTORNEY

Balance: $0

Date Updated: 08/04/2010

Last Payment Made: 07/03/2010

Original Amount: $155

Original Creditor: MEDICAL ANESTHESIA RESOURCE MGT INC (Medical/Health Care)

Pay Status: >Account Paid in Full; was a Collection<

Date Closed: 07/03/2010

Date Paid: 07/03/2010

Remarks: >PAID COLLECTION<

Estimated month and year that this item will be removed: 02/2017

 

 

 

Now I will wait for any responses and/or deletions.

[rcb4au]

WhyChat,

 

I am sending the "Medical Dispute Validation" letters to the CAs - 2 unpaids showing from all 3 CRAs, so I am putting 3 letters (one for each CRA) in each envelope for the CAs.

 

Also, I am sending a letter to one CA for a paid collection.

 

Each will be sent CMRR.

 

I totally understand that part of the process.

 

My question is this: at what point do I have verification of a current relationship between the OC and the CA? I assume this would be a reply from the CA with some sort of verification paperwork (itemized bill, etc)?

 

Once I receive verification, then I proceed to the FORM LETTER TO ORIGINAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER - is this correct?

[Why Chat]

WhyChat,

 

I am sending the "Medical Dispute Validation" letters to the CAs - 2 unpaids showing from all 3 CRAs, so I am putting 3 letters (one for each CRA) in each envelope for the CAs. Are you saying you received NO deletions from ANY CRA that you sent the initial dispute letter to??

 

Also, I am sending a letter to one CA for a paid collection.

 

Each will be sent CMRR. I do NOT think you understand the process if you ignored the instructions to send it CERTIFIED ONLY without a return receipt:

"Keep a copy for your files and send the letter certified mail.EVEN IF YOU HAVE A STREET ADDRESS DO NOT USE THE RETURN RECEIPT AS THE CAs ARE USING UPS DROP BOXES, SEND IT CERTIFIED ONLY AND PRINT OUT THE ON LINE PROOF OF DELIVERY FOR THE FOLLOW UP LETTERDo a separate letter for EACH CRA that the CA is reporting to, make sure the account #'s match the report. You can MAIL them all to each CA in ONE envelope with one certified mail #"

 

 

I totally understand that part of the process.

 

My question is this: at what point do I have verification of a current relationship between the OC and the CA? I assume this would be a reply from the CA with some sort of verification paperwork (itemized bill, etc)?

 

Once I receive verification, then I proceed to the FORM LETTER TO ORIGINAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER - is this correct?

Unless you receive verification from the CA that DOCUMENTS a CURRENT business relationship, you pay NO ONE!!

The CA names you gave who are reporting may not ( and in at least one case are CERTAINLY not) the original assigned CA from the OC.

 

These CAs ( also known as JDBs "junk debt buyers") get their account data from data miners, not from the original OC.

[rcb4au]

 

WhyChat,

 

I am sending the "Medical Dispute Validation" letters to the CAs - 2 unpaids showing from all 3 CRAs, so I am putting 3 letters (one for each CRA) in each envelope for the CAs. Are you saying you received NO deletions from ANY CRA that you sent the initial dispute letter to?? I got one deletion on TU on one of the unpaids, everything else came back verified from them, EX and EQ.

 

Also, I am sending a letter to one CA for a paid collection.

 

Each will be sent CMRR. I do NOT think you understand the process if you ignored the instructions to send it CERTIFIED ONLY without a return receipt:

"Keep a copy for your files and send the letter certified mail.EVEN IF YOU HAVE A STREET ADDRESS DO NOT USE THE RETURN RECEIPT AS THE CAs ARE USING UPS DROP BOXES, SEND IT CERTIFIED ONLY AND PRINT OUT THE ON LINE PROOF OF DELIVERY FOR THE FOLLOW UP LETTERDo a separate letter for EACH CRA that the CA is reporting to, make sure the account #'s match the report. You can MAIL them all to each CA in ONE envelope with one certified mail #" I mistyped here. The letters were sent CM with no RR.

 

 

I totally understand that part of the process.

 

My question is this: at what point do I have verification of a current relationship between the OC and the CA? I assume this would be a reply from the CA with some sort of verification paperwork (itemized bill, etc)?

 

Once I receive verification, then I proceed to the FORM LETTER TO ORIGINAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER - is this correct?

Unless you receive verification from the CA that DOCUMENTS a CURRENT business relationship, you pay NO ONE!!

The CA names you gave who are reporting may not ( and in at least one case are CERTAINLY not) the original assigned CA from the OC.

 

These CAs ( also known as JDBs "junk debt buyers") get their account data from data miners, not from the original OC.

 

[Why Chat]

The next step is the follow up disputes to the CRAs

 

As soon as you have proof of receipt of the above medical DVs, you send each CRA this:

FOLLOW UP DISPUTE LETTER TO CRAs

 

http://whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html#DISPUTE

[rcb4au]

Quick update on my process....

 

When I started this process, Franklin Collection Services and Amsher Collection Services were showing on all 3 CRA's. In addition to those, I had a Miramed Revenue Group paid collection showing on TU.

 

While this is still a work in process, EX & TU have deleted Amsher Collection Services from my report (EX removed after mailing DV letters to the CAs).

 

Showing on EX:

FRANKLIN COLL SVC

#ACCT****

2978 W JACKSON ST

TUPELO, MS 38803

(662) 8447776

Placed for Collection: 07/17/2009

Showing on EQ (both still showing IN DISPUTE):

AMSHERCOLLECTIONSERVICES #ACCT****

600 BEACON PKWY W

SUITE 300

BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

(205) 3224110

FRANKLIN COLL SVC #ACCT****

2978 W JACKSON ST

TUPELO, MS 38803

(662) 8447776

Showing on TU:

FRANKLIN COLL SVC #ACCT****

2978 W JACKSON ST

TUPELO, MS 38803

(662) 8447776

MIRAMED REVENUE GROUP #ACCT**

991 OAK CREEK DR

LOMBARD, IL 60148

(630) 4244000

Miramed is showing "paid collection" since I paid OC after the account was turned over to collections prior to learning about CB & WhyChat!)

I feel like I am making a little bit of progress, even though I've seen my EX FAKO drop 40 points since I began the dispute process. While I'm only doing this to get the collections removed, I am looking forward to my next goal of getting my scores above 750!

I have received proof of receipt of all DV letters so tomorrow the follow up letters to CRAs go out!

[Why Chat]

Are you saying there are accounts that are showing "in dispute"-- not "disputed by consumer"??

 

Wait to send the follow up disputes as those may still be deleted as they are apparently still under investigation.

[rcb4au]

"Consumer disputes - reinvestigation in progress"

 

I'll wait to send my follow up disputes to EQ!

 

Thanks!

[rcb4au]

Additional update...

 

I got a notification from Equifax Premier that I had a decrease in balance so I decided to pull a new report & they have finalized the investigation.

 

AMSHER is now off all reports!

 

I can finally get my follow up letter out to EQ!

[rcb4au]

So I got a reply back from MiraMed today...

 

"Please be advised that we have conducted our review/investigation of your file based on your notification of dispute.

 

We received your letter of dispute, however are unable to locate your account with the information provided. Please provided additional information that will help locate your account. If your name and address has changed, please provided maiden name and address, or any additional information that may be helpful in locating your account. Thank you.

 

We will proceed further with the investigation if possible based upon your reply to the questions or requests made above.

 

Please respond by phone or mail within the next 10 days, but please do respond. We are sincerely interested in resolving any dispute(s) and will certainly be in a better position to do so to everyone's satisfaction with your assistance.

 

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR AND THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

 

Thank You,

 

MiraMed Revenue Group"

 

This is the single paid collection I have on my TU report. This collection is from 2009 and I have since gotten married, so when I wrote them, I did so with my married name, which I suppose is why they can't find me. Of course I won't be providing them any additional information!

[Why Chat]

Is your maiden name on your credit reports??

 

What did you mean by "I had a decrease in balance"??

[rcb4au]

Why Chat,

 

The decrease in balance was on an unrelated positive TL. It just got me thinking if something had changed on my report that it was quite possible I might see a change on my collections!

 

Prior to beginning all of this work, I made to sure to update my information and delete all prior/incorrect information. The name the CAs have for me was from a previous marriage, but that name is not on my reports either. I only have my current & maiden last names on my reports as I have two positive non-medical (student loan) accounts I forgot about when changing my name with everyone. Neither of these names is the name any of the collections would be referring to.

[rcb4au]

A little update...

 

TransUnion has completed their investigation & deleted all collections from my report. I know the FAKO doesn't mean much, but it went from 626 to 710 with all collections coming off my report.

 

Ex & EQ are still showing reinvestigation in progress. Will update when I get results back from them.

[rcb4au]

EX sent a reply regarding the Franklin Collection Services account I have been trying to dispute...

 

There is a lot of other information in the letter -- basically explaining why they won't reinvestigate, but here's the last sentence... "Unless you send us relevant information to support your claim, we will not investigate this information again and you will not receive this notice again regarding this particular dispute."

 

Next step??

[rcb4au]

I got a letter from Franklin Collection (in my previous name, which is not on my reports) with my date of birth, social security number, and the contact information for the original creditor.

 

Is this considered verification?

 

At this point, I can pay the OC with the appropriate insert. Correct?

[Why Chat]

Absolutely NOT!

 

The data they sent you is what they could have obtained from any credit report. You have NO proof of a CURRENT business relationship between the OC and the CA.

 

I have been away on personal business for a while and will try to catch up. Please restate the DATES of medical service and what medical accounts are left on which reports.

[rcb4au]

I don't have the information right in from of me, but the dates of service are early 2009. They were placed for collection in July 2009.

 

The only thing left is Franklin Collection - only showing on EQ & EX.

 

I know the debt is mine and it has been with Franklin the entire time. I just didn't have the money to pay it at the time.

 

Welcome back!

[Why Chat]

I don't have the information right in from of me, but the dates of service are early 2009. They were placed for collection in July 2009.

 

The only thing left is Franklin Collection - only showing on EQ & EX.

 

I know the debt is mine and it has been with Franklin the entire time. I just didn't have the money to pay it at the time.

 

Welcome back!

You may at one time have had a debt to the OC but I don't believe Franklin provided you with any medical services. You say it has been with Franklin "the whole time" but you have NO IDEA how they got it, or if they have maintained any business relationship with the OC.

 

Follow the guide, opt out, delete old addresses, get your real credit reports send any CRA where the account is reporting the initial dispute letter.

[rcb4au]

Why Chat,

 

Here is what I've done so far...

 

1. Opt out

2. Names and address disputed

3. Medical dispute letter to CRA for 3 accounts: FRANKLIN & AMSHER on all 3 reports, MIRAMED on TU only​​
4. AMSHER deleted from all 3, MIRAMED deleted from TU, FRANKLIN verified
5. Sent DV letter to FRANKLIN
6. Sent follow up letter to CRAs
7. EQ sent letter back stating they wouldn't reinvestigate unless I provided additional information -- account still shows disputed by consumer.
8. EX sent letter back stating I could review my report as requested at the website they provided -- account in dispute "reported by subscriber"
9. Received two letters from FRANKLIN in a single envelope. The first letter is addressed to my current name requesting I provide more information so they can locate my account. The second is addressed to a previous name with my SS#, current address, bill owed to Physical Therapy Solutions, Date incurred 03/16/09, Date placed for collection 07/17/09, original and current balance ($337.80)

With regards to it being with FRANKLIN the entire time -- I know it has been because I threw the initial letters from them in the trash when I got them at the house I was living in when I went to physical therapy. I have no doubt I owe the OC the money, but if I can get out of paying it, fine. No, FRANKLIN did not provide the medical services.

This is where I stand... What's next???