please help, not my debt!

[goose]

I have been browsing the boards looking for advice on my particular situation and had no luck so far. I figured I would ask you experts here for some assistance.

I have received a letter in the mail from a dentist office in the next town over. I have never seen this dentist before so it is quite shocking to me.

First of all my name last name is misspelled on both the letter and the bill. The letter states that "an accounting audit requested by this office has revealed an oustanding debit on your behalf. We will attempt to reconcile any discrepancies, answer all questions set forth, and provide as necessary payment arrangements. It is imperative that you contact us as soon as possible to resolve the particulars. Effective within 30 days of this letter, a 12% apr will be accessed to the enclosed statement. This letter is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose only"

The actual statement of account has the date of 9/1/03 and under descripton it just says balance forward. At the bottom of the statement it says current balance 0.00, over 30 days 0.00, over 60 days 0.00, over 90 days 200.00.

How can this be possible that it's showing as 90 days past due when I haven't received any prior notification, not to mention that I have never been to this dentist before.

I would like to send them an official style letter asking them to verify this debt. I couldn't find any letters to use as a guide that are to the actual creditor and not a CA. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!

[Pale Rider]

When dealing with an OC, you can use the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). Here is a link that explains your rights under this act and a sample letter http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcb.htm. You must respond within 60 days of the first bill with the error, so if this is the first contact you should be ok. There are also strict rules on what can be reported on your credit report during the dispute. I have read that medical bills would be "open end " accounts, if so this act should cover your situation.

[goose]

Thank you so much. I will give it a try and let ya know.

Thanks again!!!!!

[goose]

Should I correct the misspelling of my name in my letter to OC?

[retmar]

I would make sure this is not a CA first. I say this as you noted the normal phrase "This is an attempt-----". This is usually added at the end of the letter from a CA. What you could do to be sure is call the number on their letter and see what is said when they answer. Either way, say wrong number and hang up. This will help you decide which letter to use.

Yes, you would point out the fact of the misspelling. That would be the first issue as to not being your debt. The second is the fact you never received services from this Dentist. If they refuse to admit they are wrong, volunteer to go to the Dentist and prove through the X-rays and other info to see if they match. my assumption is they had a person with a similar name skip on them.

[LadynRed]

Why don't you call the dentists office first ? If you've never been there, then its possible the misspelling of YOUR name is the correct spelling of someone else's and the CA just pulled your name out of the phonebook as a close match. I'd start with the dentist's office. Actually, if its not too far away, I'd be inclined to GO there and confront them with the letter and your questions.

[calawyer]

The problem with going there is that, when they tell you they will take care of it and you leave with a big smile on your face, you have nothing in writing. Then when it is NOT taken care of, you are left without a paper trail. If you do visit the office, get the name and proper spelling of the person you speak with and write a confirming letter that same day. At the end of the letter be sure to tell them to respond immediately if they disagree with anything you say in your correspondence.

[goose]

Thanks for the help so far. They are still trying to stick me with this debt. any advice you can offer me will be greatly appreciated.

I sent a certified letter to dentist office:

I am writing to dispute a billing error in the amount of $200 from your office. The amount is inaccurate because I have never been a patient at your office and I have never received services from your office. My name is misspelled on the statement that I received; further indicating that this statement is inaccurate. The statement indicates that the said account is over 90 days past due yet htis is the first itme I have been contacted by your office. I am requesting that the error be corrected and that I receive an accurate statement indicating that I do not have an outstanding debt to your office.

Enclosed is a copy of the statement that I received ffrom your office on the 3rd of October. Please investigate this mattter and correct the error as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

My name spelled correctly

SOOOOO..

I recieved this letter back from dentist office (not certified) with my name spelled correctly!

Please be advised that Dr. _____ treated a patient by the name of _____________, address same as above, last four SSN: XXXX, DOB:XXXX. The aforementioned patient was seen on 12-13-31 for a dental procedure. The total sum for the procedure was $300 , with a partial payment by the patient of $100, and a remaining balance of $200. You may contact Mr. __________ if you have any further questions or need additional information.

*They DID have the correct last four of my SSN, but they had the wrong month of birth for my dob??

*They still don't disclose what kind of dental work was done??

*The man they said to contact is the person in the original letter that they said had "discovered" this debt in an accounting audit. They don't even provide any information to get ahold of this person in the letter

I am afraid that they will be able to hurt my credit. Can anyone suggest what step I should take next? What can I do to prove that this debt is not mine and make sure that they clear me of any balance remaining?

Thanks for any help you can offer, I've been sick to death worrying about this.

[goose]

bump

[calawyer]

If you have really never been treated by this dentist before, write them back. Tell them that you thank them for their letter which further proves that the individual they are seeking is not you because you have never been seen by that dentist and the social security number of the patient treated is not yours. Tell them to remove immediately and to inform you, in writing, that they have done so.

[goose]

i have never been seen by this dentist. they DO have the correct last four of my SSN but it's my birth month that is wrong. they are not cooperating at all over the phone. is there a letter that i can send that requires them to send me proof?? wouldn't they have a signature or contract on file?

i want to them to fix this and they are not going to budge unless i force them.

shouldn't htey have to tell me what procedure they performed? i asked them how the supposed $100 was paid and they said cash!! there is something weird going on. please give me an suggestions you might have.

[retmar]

Some Medical Providers have you fill out a form on the initial visit. It contains personal information, insurance information, and any Medical problems that may exist. For this reason, you could go to the office personally and confront the Office Manager. Have them pull the file and show you the papers. Hopefully, you didn't sign your letter to them. But, if you did, there is still no problem. Even if they forged your signature, the information papers are to be completed by the patient in print, not typed, so you could easily prove forgery if necessary. If they still insist that it is you, then tell them to have the Dentist match your teeth with the Xrays they have. Most Dentists take Xrays before any treatment is done even if they know that it is a particular tooth by looking at it, such as a broken tooth. Just be sure to do what Calawyer says and get name of the person. Make sure that person watches you write their name down along with the date and time of the discussion. Take a respectable looking notebook with you. Don't just take a piece of paper. To add to your "show of force", try and get this person to sign or initial your notes as you want them to fully understand you mean business. Remember, you are writing down as much of the conversation as you can in short notes of each comment. Also, don't forget to send the confirmation letter as Calawyer said to do. It will contain all information and conversation of your visit to the office. Send it CMRR so they can never say they didn't get it.

[goose]

thanks!

I won't be back in my hometown for a month or so and I want to do this asap. Do you think it would work to send a letter requesting a copy of any info they have linking this to me? would they "have" to send me a copy of the patient profile thing or my xrays?

I didn't sign the letter. Advice that I received on this wonderful board!

Thanks again

[retmar]

You could try, but, I doubt it. If they are smart enough to realize they may have made a mistake, they won't as it would be divulging someone elses personal info. You may try calling the Office Manager. What you would do is tell them you are writing down everything and will be sending them a letter confirming everything that was said. Or, you could go to Radio Shack and pay about $25.00 for a small recorder and tell them you would like to record the conversation. Your main purpose is to protect yourself and show them you mean business. Then ask them to pull file and tell you what the info is, such as the full name on the form, including spelling. Ask for the name of the Street. Get all info you can before you tell them that it is not you. Then, when done, send the letter that afternoon CMRR to them. At the same time, you will do this to the CA. Give them 10 days from receipt of your letter to close account, remove all negatives, etc. Be sure to include that if they fail to do this, they will be named as a defendant in a civil suit. Do not cut them any slack. Be professional, but, very firm in your statements.

[mrsmo914]

You could try, but, I doubt it. If they are smart enough to realize they may have made a mistake, they won't as it would be divulging someone elses personal info. You may try calling the Office Manager. What you would do is tell them you are writing down everything and will be sending them a letter confirming everything that was said. Or, you could go to Radio Shack and pay about $25.00 for a small recorder and tell them you would like to record the conversation. Your main purpose is to protect yourself and show them you mean business. Then ask them to pull file and tell you what the info is, such as the full name on the form, including spelling. Ask for the name of the Street. Get all info you can before you tell them that it is not you. Then, when done, send the letter that afternoon CMRR to them. At the same time, you will do this to the CA. Give them 10 days from receipt of your letter to close account, remove all negatives, etc. Be sure to include that if they fail to do this, they will be named as a defendant in a civil suit. Do not cut them any slack. Be professional, but, very firm in your statements.

If they won't divulge the information to her because it is someone else's, then they would have to concede its not her bill!

Also, I thought if you request your medical file in writing, they HAVE to provide you with it, don't they? If you get the file, you should be able to prove it wasn't you fairly easily--and I am thinking that if I were you, I would be mad enough to take them to court. This has gone on long enough!

[goose]

Thanks ya'll. This hasn't gone to a CA yet, or at least not to my knowledge.

I like the idea of them having to provide me with my medical record by law. If anyone has info on which law that falls under i'd appreciate some information. I'm in Florida in case that matters. Thanks and Im going to try to find info on the medical file laws.

You guys are all awesome, thanks!!