My HIPAA Dispute Notes & Questions (WhyChat Method)

[ajwells99]

After quite a few months of research on credit repair I've decided to begin my quest to clean-up/correct my own credit reports. Below is a history of what I've completed, as well as a list of the steps that I have ahead of me. If anyone has any additional information for me along my path I'd certainly appreciate it!

 

Steps Completed:

1) Request copy of my Credit Report directly form the CRA with corresponding report number

2) Opt Out

3) Clean up old/outdated/incorrect address data

 

Next Step:

4) Send Initial Dispute Letter to all 3 CRAs (hand written and addressed, certified mail only)

 

 

 

Accounts Being Disputed:

Equifax :: 2 accounts (IC Systems - $208, and Collection Srvc of Athens - $245)

Experian :: 2 accounts (IC Systems - $208, and Collection Svc of Athens - $245)

TransUnion :: 1 account (IC Systems - $208)

 

 

 

As a resident of Texas I admit I've been a bit confused as to which methods best apply to me, but even as as a TX resident WhyChats HIPAA process seems to be "the way." I am set to send out my 3 initial dispute letters tomorrow, but I wanted to check in with the group to make sure Im am on the best path for ME.

 

 

to everyone who reads this, and especially WhyChat. thank you for your help!

 

 

 

 

-aj

 

 

[Why Chat]

Looks good, be sure to use the NEW dispute forms

 

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

 

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

 

How old are these accounts?? ( date of service)

[ajwells99]

Looks good, be sure to use the NEW dispute forms

 

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

 

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

 

How old are these accounts?? ( date of service)

 

 

WhyChat, good to see you here. I was hoping you'd stop through.

 

I am happy to report that I am preparing the new/correct dispute form you directed me to in your link. Using blue ink, handwritten, as you've indicated. I really appreciate the guide you've made, its been an amazing tool for me.

 

 

As far as the date of service, unfortunately I do not know. What I do have are the dates that are listed on my credit report. I've added those below for you:

 

IC Systems :: "Date of 1st Delinquency" - 2/2008 ; "Date Assigned" - 10/2008 ; "Date Reported" - 10/2013 [from Equifax report, but the same data across the 3 reports]

Collection Srvs of Athens :: "Date of 1st Delinquency" - 6/2008 ; "Date Assigned" - 1/2012 ; "Date Reported" - 6/2012 [from Equifax report, but the same data across the 3 reports]

Edited November 25, 2013 by ajwells99

[Why Chat]

 

Looks good, be sure to use the NEW dispute forms

 

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

 

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

 

How old are these accounts?? ( date of service)

 

WhyChat, good to see you here. I was hoping you'd stop through.

 

I am happy to report that I am preparing the new/correct dispute form you directed me to in your link. Using blue ink, handwritten, as you've indicated. I really appreciate the guide you've made, its been an amazing tool for me.

 

 

As far as the date of service, unfortunately I do not know. What I do have are the dates that are listed on my credit report. I've added those below for you:

 

IC Systems :: "Date of 1st Delinquency" - 2/2008 ; "Date Assigned" - 10/2008 ; "Date Reported" - 10/2013 [from Equifax report, but the same data across the 3 reports] These do not appear to be medical accounts, are they listed as medical on your reports??

Collection Srvs of Athens :: "Date of 1st Delinquency" - 6/2008 ; "Date Assigned" - 1/2012 ; "Date Reported" - 6/2012 [from Equifax report, but the same data across the 3 reports]

 

[ajwells99]

WhyChat -

Yes, I was fairly certain that these where medical based on the notes within TL on my credit report. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I've made a quick screen grab of the TLs from my credit reports (ordered directly from the CRAs, each with individual report numbers. just as you directed!) and pasted them below.

 

Do you mind taking a look to make sure I'm on the right path here?

 

IC Systems - http://tinyurl.com/p7dxs92

Collection Srvs of Athens - http://tinyurl.com/qxqs77m

 

 

Best,

 

aj

Edited November 26, 2013 by ajwells99

[Why Chat]

Yes you are OK, take the deletion dates of March 2015, and Nov. 2014 and subtract 7 years and you come up with the date of service.

The legal SOL for collection of medical accounts is 4 years so you are waaaay past any risk of being sued.

[ajwells99]

Update :

 

All 3 Initial dispute letters have been sent to the CRAs via Certified Mail as of Friday, 11/29. Anxiously awaiting my responses now!

Edited December 2, 2013 by ajwells99

[ajwells99]

Update :

 

All 3 initial dispute letters have been received (all sent on 11/29)

 

Equifax :: arrived 12/1

Experian :: arrived 12/5

TranUnion :: arrived 12/1

[ajwells99]

Update :

 

I received my first response yesterday via mail from TransUnion. unfortunately it is not at all what i expected, and I need a bit of advice on how to proceed.

 

The response reads as following:

 

"Based on the information you provided to TransUnion, our records show that the information you disputed does not currently appear on your TransUnion credit report."

 

 

Now, of course it DOES appear on my credit report which was pulled just over 30 days ago. I also confirmed the account numbers that I sent (from my photocopy of the letter I wrote), and I had highlighted AND circled the accounts in question on the credit report I included in my letter.

 

 

Does anyone (WhyChat) have advice on what i should do next?

[Why Chat]

Go to the back door of TU to see your updated policy.

 

You go to the website and click on new dispute ( you do NOT actually enter a new dispute) this will bring up your current up to date report.

 

If the account IS still showing, print it out and send it to them with a copy of their letter and a brief note stating that they have misrepresented their action to you in writing and if they do not properly delete the asccount immediately you will report them to the CFPB

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

[ajwells99]

WhyChat -

 

I navigated to the online area you indicated and here is what I saw [copy + paste from TransUnion site below].

 

There is now a note that this account is "ACCT INFO DISPUTED BY CONSUMR", as well as a brand new Date Updated and Date Closed of 12/11/2013.

 

Here is whats curious, the letter I received in the mail that said the "information you disputed does not currently appear on your TransUnion credit report" was sent 7 days earlier than the Date Updated. (that letter i received has a date of 12/4/2013).

 

 

Any additional advice for me? Perhaps i wait a couple more days for a second letter of some kind from TransUnion? Or should I continue exactly as you describe in your last post.

 

Thank you again for all your time and help.

 

 

Placed for Collection: 10/17/2008

Responsibility: Individual Account

Account Type: Open Account

Loan Type: COLLECTION AGENCY/ATTORNEY

Balance: $208

Date Updated: 12/11/2013

Original Amount: $208

Original Creditor: MEDICAL-MIDWEST DENTAL INC(Medical/HealthCare)

Past Due: >$208<

Pay Status: >In Collection<

Date Closed: 12 /11/2013

Remarks: ACCT INFO DISPUTED BY CONSUMR; >PLACED FOR COLLECTION <

Edited December 16, 2013 by ajwells99

[Why Chat]

TU has a habit of sending automated responses to snail mail disputes.

 

Send them the letter,( with the copy of the page with the account circled) they obviously screwed up the response.

[ajwells99]

Update :

 

I received my final two responses yesterday (Experian and Equifax), and was hoping to solicit help to clearly understand what has been done, and how that will correspond to my next action.

 

 

Experian

:: Both items were marked as "Please contact Credit Grantor at [phone #]," no additional verification information was provided. [see link #1]

:: Collection Svc of Athens - $245 - marked as "Remains" by Experian [see Link #2]

:: IC Systems - $208 - marked as "Updated" by Experian. They simply updated the Last Reported date and added this comment "Account information disputed by consumer" [see Link #2]

 

 

Equifax

:: One item was marked as "not reporting," which WAS previously, there. The other appears to have been verified.

:: Collection Srvc of Athens - $245 - seems to have been Verified [see Link #3]

:: IC Systems - $208 - "Disputed account IC System is not reporting on equifax credit file" - item no longer exists on report. [also in Link #3]

 

 

Transunion

:: Complete info is in a previous post, but they claimed "Based on the information you provided to TransUnion, our records show that the information you disputed does not currently appear on your TransUnion credit report."

 

 

Link #1 (experian) - http://tinyurl.com/kmq6xrf

Link #2 (experian) - http://tinyurl.com/n4rkn7c

Link #3 (equifax) - http://tinyurl.com/nsq2wmf

 

 

based on the above data, here are my questions:

 

1) The next step would be to send the HIPAA letter with insert A, however, I am honestly not sure that the initial dispute letter has provided you with a documented current relationship between the Health Care Provider and the reporting CA. Has this relationship been proven in my two cases?

 

2) Should I proceed with the next step (http://whychat.5u.com/hipltr.html) with insert A? Or is there still work to be done before proceeding.

 

 

I appreciate all of your help, it seems the further I go the more questions I have, so I apprentice your patience as I match my personal experiences with the documentation WhyChat has provided us with via his website.

 

 

As always, thank you in advance!

[Why Chat]

Because your TU report believes it has deleted all the accounts, and because you did not receive ANYTHING from the reporting CAs, your next step is the medical DV to the reporting CAs

 

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

 

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

[ajwells99]

WhyChat -

 

I am preparing my "COLLECTION AGENCY VALIDATION/DISPUTE/CEASE AND DESIST" letter to both of the reporting CAs using the exact instructions from the link you provided above. I have a couple questions I was hoping you could help with:

 

 

1.) When sending the "Validation/Dispute Letter" to the CAs, how should I specify which CRA the letter is for? [ I'm referring to this specific line from your text - 'Do a separate letter for EACH CRA that the CA is reporting to, make sure the account #'s match the report. ]?

 

2.) How long after the letter to the CAs... do i send the "Follow-up Letters" to the CRAs?

 

 

 

As always, I appreciate your time and advice.

 

- aj

Edited December 30, 2013 by ajwells99

[ajwells99]

WhyChat -

Hey there, after a bit more research and scouring of the forums I believe I have answers to both of my original questions, please let me know if I'm on the right track.

1.) When sending the "Validation/Dispute Letter" to the CAs, how should I specify which CRA the letter is for?

My Answer?

--- The only place i need to identify the CRA is on the first line here where is says "name of CRA," no other identification is necessary.

--- "This letter is being sent to you in response to your recent fraudulent verification of an unknown medical account on my (name of CRA) report"

2.) How long after the letter to the CAs do I send the "Follow-up Letters" to the CRAs?

My Answer?

--- Since I will be sending the DV letter to the CA via Certified Mail (NO Return Receipt), I simply wait for the online verification that it was delivered.

--- Once I see the letter was delivered to the CA, I print out that delivery confirmation AND a copy of the letter, and send both along with my Follow-up Letter to the CRA.

Edited December 30, 2013 by ajwells99

[Why Chat]

 

WhyChat -

Hey there, after a bit more research and scouring of the forums I believe I have answers to both of my original questions, please let me know if I'm on the right track.

1.) When sending the "Validation/Dispute Letter" to the CAs, how should I specify which CRA the letter is for?

My Answer?

--- The only place i need to identify the CRA is on the first line here where is says "name of CRA," no other identification is necessary.

--- "This letter is being sent to you in response to your recent fraudulent verification of an unknown medical account on my (name of CRA) report"

2.) How long after the letter to the CAs do I send the "Follow-up Letters" to the CRAs?

My Answer?

--- Since I will be sending the DV letter to the CA via Certified Mail (NO Return Receipt), I simply wait for the online verification that it was delivered.

--- Once I see the letter was delivered to the CA, I print out that delivery confirmation AND a copy of the letter, and send both along with my Follow-up Letter to the CRA.

 

Correct

[ajwells99]

Just a quick Update:

 

Both DV letters to the CA were sent out on Monday, 1/6/2014

 

IC Systems - Sent 1/6/2014

Collection Srvs of Athens - Sent 1/6/2014

[ajwells99]

Question for you, WhyChat:

 

I am planning to use the Texas DV on two other "questionable TLs" on my Credit reports. Would it be wise to wait until this entire HIPAA process is complete, or could i start this second line of verification/validation with your HIPAA process still in progress?

 

Thanks!

 

-AJ

[Why Chat]

If any part of the "Texas DV" process involves a dispute to any CRA, then NO, you will have to wait until your HIPAA program is complete otherwise your disputes will be merged.

[ajwells99]

WhyChat, good evening!

 

Assuming my DV letters will be received by the CAs soon, I wanted to prepare my follow-up letters to the CRAs. I do have one question however:

 

My original dispute with the CRAs, and also my DV to the CAs, concerned two accounts (Credit Srvs of Athens, and IC Systems). When I send the follow-up to the CRA, should I:

 

-- Compose TWO follow-up letters and put them into one envelope to the CRA?

-- Or, do I combine both accounts into one single letter to the CRA?

-- Or, should I sent two separate completely follow-up letters to the CRA?

 

 

Looking for your wisdom and guidance.

 

Thanks!

Edited January 9, 2014 by ajwells99

[Why Chat]

WhyChat, good evening!

 

Assuming my DV letters will be received by the CAs soon, I wanted to prepare my follow-up letters to the CRAs. I do have one question however:

 

My original dispute with the CRAs, and also my DV to the CAs, concerned two accounts (Credit Srvs of Athens, and IC Systems). When I send the follow-up to the CRA, should I:

 

-- Compose TWO follow-up letters and put them into one envelope to the CRA?

-- Or, do I combine both accounts into one single letter to the CRA? Yes, make sure you list them and enclose copies of both letters and copies of the proof of delivery

-- Or, should I sent two separate completely follow-up letters to the CRA?

 

 

Looking for your wisdom and guidance.

 

Thanks!

[ajwells99]

got it. thank you, WhyChat!

[fixboot]

Subscribed. Eagerly awaiting new information!

[ajwells99]

DV Update:

 

• Both CAs received the DV letter I sent last week - USPS Certified Mail tracking shows them as Delivered on friday, January 10th.
• Strange Mail on Saturday 1/11/2014 - I received a duplicate of the response from Equifax [http://tinyurl.com/nsq2wmf]. Of course, IC System IS in fact reporting.

 

Question:

 

Is it common for the CRAs to respond that a TL is NOT reporting, when it really IS? Both TransUnion and Equifax deny that "IC Systems" is reporting, when the report directly form the CRA shows them both there as of this week. Of course, assumptions are relatively worthless, but would this typically makes the process of removing that entry EASIER, or more MORE DIFFICULT?

 

 

Next Moves:

• I have my Follow-Up Letters to the 3 CRAs ready to send out via Certified Mail (no return receipt), with a copy of the DV to the CA, as well as confirmation of delivery of that letter to the CA. These will go out tomorrow, Monday Jan 13th.
• (Is it wise to include a copy of my credit report showing these accounts reporting? Again, this regards the fact that the CRAs are denying that one of them is reporting at all.)

 

 

Thank you for your help!

Edited January 12, 2014 by ajwells99