momof8 Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 Hi ,I have recently asked a CA to validate an 18 month old medical bill that has been placed with them. I do not yet know if they own it, I doubt it. They sent me a copy of their state license and a copy of the account info from the hospital. And of course they threatened to file suit after 30 days. They did not however prove ownership of the debt as requested in the initial letter from me.Should I send another validation letter? Any other ideas?Thank you,Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nascar Posted March 31, 2007 Report Share Posted March 31, 2007 They did not however prove ownership of the debt as requested in the initial letter from me.They don't have to prove ownership of the debt because you asked them to. They only have to show you that they are attempting to collect what the creditor claims you owe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitty6941 Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 WHAT IF THE CA IS A SCAM ARTIST WHO REALLY DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO COLLECT ON THIS DEBT AND YOU SEND THEM MONEY AND THEY VANISH OFF INTO THIN AIR WITH YOR MONEY THEN YOU ARE GOING TO BE FEELING LIKE THE IDIOT WHO DID NOT FORCE THEM TO PROVE WHO THEY WERE AND IF THEY HAD LEGAL RIGHT. PROTECT YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. MAKE THEM SHOW PROOF ARE YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY THEM ANYTHING. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divemedic Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 If they obtain proof from the OC, the court will view that as proof of the right to collect.Just because you ask for something does not mean that the CA is obligated to provide it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof8 Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Thanks. I'm a bit confused, (not hard to do) do I have to pay the collection agency if they are only assigned the debt and don't own it? I would rather deal with the OC to reach a settlement, but am not sure what to do at this point. Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nascar Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 ) do I have to pay the collection agency if they are only assigned the debt and don't own it? JenYou NEVER have to pay a collection agency if they don't own the debt, even if the original creditor tells you otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divemedic Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Just remember that due to the contract that most CA's have with the OC's, any money you pay to the OC after the debt goes to collections will be forwarded to the CA and you will still get a paid collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof8 Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Thank You!! That's a big help guys. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yawo64 Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Just remember that due to the contract that most CA's have with the OC's, any money you pay to the OC after the debt goes to collections will be forwarded to the CA and you will still get a paid collection.Divemedic,Does your statement then imply that it will be better to negotiate settlement terms with the CA instead of the OC? (this assumes that OC only assigned but not sold the debt to the CA)OR is it better to deal with the OC directly and offer a settlement, (while the debt is still in collection).regards, YY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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