shells842002 Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just received 3 collection letter from Premium Asset Recovery. They are dated 12/26/00 for $1937, 5/28/01 for $10,202(ER VISIT THAT ENDED IN SURGERY) and 10/12/02 for $292. They are all from our local Catholic hospital. The client is listed with the DOS and amount owed. It says the accounts have been sold to them and to contact them regarding these accounts. It says they may report to credit bureaus, etc. The original bills were the ONLY bills I ever saw for these accounts and nothing had been sent since so I guess I assumed they were written off and forgot about them. I NEVER have been contacted regarding medical bills- they just put them on the credit report and thats the last I would hear of them- My family had no health ins- my husband was self emplyed for several years and we have 4 kids.We struggled to and still do to get by but we are always above the income guidelines for any real help....Question #1 2 of the three were never on my credit reports, but the third one currently is and has been($292). Can they actually put them on my credit now since 7 years has past? and If they do wont they have to take them off ?#2 I am VERY confused about the SOL in OHIO, where I am at. Are these medical bills considered written contracts? I signed when I went to the ER I would imagaine but did I sign something saying I would pay someone other than the hospital- like this CA. I need to understand if these are written contracts since they arent a loan, etc.#3- Should I send the DV letter regardless? THANK YOU VEY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyingifr Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I just received 3 collection letter from Premium Asset Recovery. They are dated 12/26/00 for $1937, 5/28/01 for $10,202(ER VISIT THAT ENDED IN SURGERY) and 10/12/02 for $292. They are all from our local Catholic hospital. The client is listed with the DOS and amount owed. It says the accounts have been sold to them and to contact them regarding these accounts. It says they may report to credit bureaus, etc. The original bills were the ONLY bills I ever saw for these accounts and nothing had been sent since so I guess I assumed they were written off and forgot about them. I NEVER have been contacted regarding medical bills- they just put them on the credit report and thats the last I would hear of them- My family had no health ins- my husband was self emplyed for several years and we have 4 kids.We struggled to and still do to get by but we are always above the income guidelines for any real help....Question #1 2 of the three were never on my credit reports, but the third one currently is and has been($292). Can they actually put them on my credit now since 7 years has past? and If they do wont they have to take them off ?FCRA allows debts to be reported for 7.5 years from date of first delinquency. With medical bills, that usually is the date of service. All three of these are either past that date or very close to it. If the 7.5 years has not passed, then yes, they can put it on, but it has to come off at the 7.5 years time. Debts this old will have minimal effect on your FICO score.#2 I am VERY confused about the SOL in OHIO, where I am at. Are these medical bills considered written contracts? I signed when I went to the ER I would imagaine but did I sign something saying I would pay someone other than the hospital- like this CA. I need to understand if these are written contracts since they arent a loan, etc.Since you signed a contract, my guess would be they are written contracts.#3- Should I send the DV letter regardless? THANK YOU VEY MUCH FOR YOUR TIMEAbsolutely. You lose no rights by sticking up for your rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Nashville/Savannah Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 ....Absolutely start the DV process.Do understand, however, that with a 15 SOL on most debts in Ohio (that is separate from the allowable reporting period), these debts may still be actionable. That said, if the debts are legitimate (and it sounds as if they are based on what you've said) then you may have to try and settle these for some $$$).Frankly, I'm surprised that the hospital would sell these accounts but that may work in your favor; if you truly have limited means, you may be able to settle these for very little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shells842002 Posted June 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 The Hospital Just Built A Multi Million Dollar New Hospital That Is Opening Next Month. I Imagine They Want To Get Rid Of All Their Old Bills:) I Have Seen It Said That Hospital Bills Are Open Ended. I Suppose Im Going To Have To Call An Attorney- I Just Cant Even Afford That Either. I Did Call The Ag But They Didnt Seem To Know Much Either! They Couldnt Answer The Sol Question ! My Problem Is That If They Agree To A Lesser Amount They Are Going To Want It In A Lump Sum- Theres No Way I Can Do This, Not When My Mortgage Is A Month Late, Property Taxes Are Late, Etc Etc U Probaly Get The Picture- One Good Thing Tho- The Credit Cards Have Long Been Cut Up.... Any Advice Is Really Appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Nashville/Savannah Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 ....No one can give you detailed advice about what you should or shouldn't do...only you know your situation and your choices.However, I would not even consider paying ANYTHING on an old debt; especially to a new creditor (a Junk Debt Buyer aka JDB) until the basics are covered (and caught up)...that's food, clothing, shelter, transportaion, etc.If you are paying on credit cards and other stuff I'd would stop if I were in your positin.Sometimes you have to circle the wagons until you can get some solid ground under you.In the meantime, go ahead and start the DV process and spend time reading here and learning...also, keep in "reasonable" contact with your creditors, this new issue included, so that they don't think you are just ignoring them - if things are as tight as you say (and understand, I'm not saying they aren't) then they will probably not do anything; they won't be happy but even a collector can understand that if their ain't no money, their ain't no money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shells842002 Posted June 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 The credit cards- and there are several- all have lower balances- 300-700 each which we are getting paid down slowly but several are with the same place- hsbc- I JUST finished a wage garnishment for a credit card that started out with a balance of 2800 from 2001 with Providian ( i periodically made pmts which kept things going thru a CA until they(Javitch & Rathbone) finally took me to court for almost $5000 in 2005- i didnt know they even took me to court but thats another story and they didnt even take into consideration the 1400 in pmts i had already made to them) so Im real leary about not paying the CC's. The hopital bills are actually in my husbands name and if they were to garnish his wages which are consideably more than mine we will go down real fast so Im just plain scared. I know no one can give detailed advice but I just cant figure out where to go for help besides here and I appreciate any advice given.. thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessAmy Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Premium Asset Recovery just showed up last week on all 3 of my credit reports. Haven't received a dunning from them yet, but already DV'd them, it was delivered and I just disputed it with all 3 via Mail. They're a JDB. Their website says they are affilliated with Asshat, so be forewarned. I think I know what this debt is, and it's an old SOL medical bill that I just got deleted from another CA on all 3 CRA's about a month ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Nashville/Savannah Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I wish I had some real words of wisdom for you...all I can really do is encourage you to not only address these "new" old debts but to take a realistic look at your overall financial life.It sounds as if things have been a bit out of control for a while...most of us, including me, have been there. I find most people who are successful with their finances consistently do some a couple of very simple things...they do a real budget every month so they decide, before they spend their money, what they are going to spend it on and they do things that help increase their income - sometimes that's education...sometimes it's moving to a location where they can do what they do now but for a better salary...sometimes it's pusuing a passion that ultimatly turns into income.In any case, I would not be scared of this situation...even if you get sued it's not the end of the world and you are likely a long way from that...ultimatley however, you probably are going to have to find a way to settle these debts for something but the DV process is the place to start and as that moves forward to you can eventually try to negotiate something with this JDB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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