I need help with how to proceed, with a reply letter from CA

[vilnel8782]

I recently found  a few accounts in collection for medical bills... I disputed with credit bureaus first, then I sent a debt verification letter following the letter sample on this site. I just received a reply from the CA . They replied with a partial verification, they claim the money I owe is for  doctors and medical services I received at the hospital ER  a year and a half ago, but they did not provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what they claim I owe,also they did not show verification that they are licensed to collect in my state and did not provide me with any license numbers and registered agent. I don't even know why I was charged for any of these services at the ER, because I provided the hospital with my medicaid information. I am not too sure what my next step should be. Do I send another letter telling them that they only send a partial verification or should I say that I should not have had any charges because I provided the hospital with medicaid documentation? Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.

[Clydesmom]

I disputed with credit bureaus first, then I sent a debt verification letter following the letter sample on this site. I just received a reply from the CA . 

 

THIS was your first mistake.  The letter found on this site is about 95% WRONG and should be deleted.  You never EVER use a cut and paste letter from the internet when dealing with credit issues.  They are supposed to be a suggestion not a bible to follow verbatim.  Did the list include this:

• What the money you say I owe is for;
• Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
• Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
• Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
• Identify the original creditor;
• Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account;
• Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; and
• Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent.

If you cut and pasted that letter all the CA did was laugh as they have seen it thousands of times and it told them you do not know your rights or how to deal with this.  Many states do not even require licensing or registration.  Florida does but even so the FDCPA does not require that they provide that information to you in DV.  The only two things on that list the FDCPA requires in DV is a copy of the judgment if they have one and the name of the original creditor.  The rest they can and will ignore.

 

They replied with a partial verification, they claim the money I owe is for  doctors and medical services I received at the hospital ER  a year and a half ago, but they did not provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what they claim I owe,also they did not show verification that they are licensed to collect in my state and did not provide me with any license numbers and registered agent.

 

Legally they do not have to provide ANY of that as part of DV with you.  The only thing they have to provide in responding to DV at all is the name/address of the original creditor (which you know the hospital) and the amount they allege you owe.  That is IT.  

 

In fact they are only required to respond if you send a DV letter to them within 30 days after they first call you or send you a bill/dunning letter.  Because you found these accounts on your credit report which is not communication from them to you they were free to ignore your letter and keep collecting.

 

I don't even know why I was charged for any of these services at the ER, because I provided the hospital with my medicaid information. I am not too sure what my next step should be. Do I send another letter telling them that they only send a partial verification or should I say that I should not have had any charges because I provided the hospital with medicaid documentation? Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Then you should be starting with the billing MANAGER not CSR drone and finding out why they are billing you when you were covered by Medicaid.  One reason could possibly be if it is a for profit hospital that does not take Medicaid then you would be 100% responsible for the bill.  Until you know WHY the hospital billed you and not Medicaid arguing with a CA is pointless.

[fisthardcheese]

Clydesmom is correct.  There is no legal basis for demanding any of the proof you are asking of them.  All they are required to send you is the name and address of the original creditor (the hospital) and the amount they say you owe.  That is validation.

 

Next, you need to wait for the response from the CRA investigation.  If the Credit Agencies "verify" the account and it remains on your credit reports, then I would suggest following it up with a certified letter asking the agencies to send you the Method of Verification and the name and address of the person who verified the information.  Often times, this will result in the agencies deleting the account from your reports rather than messing with producing that information and risk a tecnichal violation of the FCRA.

[vilnel8782]

I used portions of the DV letter sample on here, I am aware that I am not to use it as a bible n copy n paste the entire letter...I am not clear as to why u consider the sample letter to be 95% wrong n u think it should be deleted...I thought the purpose of  this site is to learn how to repair your own credit using  the  information provided on here.   The DV letter I sent was within the 30 days in reply to a letter I received from CA, informing me that another company has these accounts, my original dispute was with one CA via credit bureaus and the DV letter with CA #2. The hospital does accept Medicaid. It looks like the CA provided the verification they needed in reply to my letter...I will look into these charges through the hospital billing department...Thanks for the suggestion,

[Clydesmom]

I am not clear as to why u consider the sample letter to be 95% wrong n u think it should be deleted...I thought the purpose of  this site is to learn how to repair your own credit using  the  information provided on here.   

 

Please do not use "text talk" when you reply.  It is too exhausting to decipher.

 

I explained why it is wrong.  You need to read the FDCPA and understand what is required when you use it in credit issues.  The FDCPA does not require that they send you copies of any documents (except a judgment), license numbers, registered agents, or a myriad of other things that inexperienced consumers make the mistake of demanding.  ALL the FDCPA requires is that they provide is the name/address of the original creditor and amount you owe.  If they do that they have complied.  

 

Just because you read it on the internet does not mean it is true.  

[fisthardcheese]

I used portions of the DV letter sample on here, I am aware that I am not to use it as a bible n copy n paste the entire letter...I am not clear as to why u consider the sample letter to be 95% wrong n u think it should be deleted...I thought the purpose of  this site is to learn how to repair your own credit using  the  information provided on here. 

 

The DV letter on here is riddled with inaccuracies and laughable, made up demands that have no basis in law.  That is why Clydesmom is correct in saying it should be deleted.  It keeps getting copied, pasted and used by people who don't know better and don't understand the law.

 

That DV letter will do you more harm than good by using it, and Clydesmom was trying to help you out by explaining this to you.

[debtzapper]

@vilnel8782

 

Since you are on Medicaid, I would contact the Agency for Health Care Administration, which administers the Medicaid program in FL, to go over your bill with them.  Maybe Medicaid did not pay as it should.  Maybe you were not properly billed.  I don't know.  Even though your account is now in collections, I would still contact the agency.  They can give you guidance about how Medicaid covers you in FL.

 

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/contact/index.shtml

[vilnel8782]

To those that gave me helpful advise, "Thank you".

 

To Clydesmom... that was quick to reprimand, criticize and correct me personally, I DO NOT NEED NOR WANT YOUR ADVICE!!. 

 

It's too difficult to get ANY clarity  on any advise you may have,  that perhaps would otherwise be helpful, if it weren't for your ill and rude manner in explaining it...     Oh!!  and  regarding  the  "text talk" that you have difficulty in reading, "my advise to you"  is when you see any of my entries on here, "MOVE ON"!

[BV80]

@vilnel8782

 

@Clydesmom was not reprimanding you.  The only statement that I can assume to which you're referring is the one in which she referred to your style ("text talk").   For some, "text talk" in a venue other than a text is not preferred. 

 

There is another well-known credit site that does not allow "text talk" at all, and you would be reprimanded under no uncertain terms by an administrator.  On that site, continued use of that style would result in your banning from posting.

 

In regard to the rest of her statements, while they may have been very straightforward, they were accurate.  You would have received the same advice from an attorney and possibly paid for it, as well.

 

In any case, welcome to this site.   It appears that in this instance, the debt has not been sold to a debt buyer, so it's true that you should contact the creditor's billing manager.   A collection agency representative would probably not be able to answer all of your questions.