Being Threatened By Collections - Not Our Debt!!

17 years ago

About 4 or 5 months ago, we received a bill in the mail for $1500 from a medical diagnostics lab. It was for tests done in January of 2006, and the information attached to the tests was my husband's name, and our old health insurance. The doctor listed was our old doctor.

We haven't had that insurance since 06/2005, when my husband quit his job at the time and moved to a different company. We haven't seen that doctor since the spring of 2005. We don't even live in that area anymore.

My husband spoke to someone at the lab and explained that there was some sort of mixup -- that it couldn't be him, that he had had no tests done, and that we didn't use that doctor or insurance anymore. We thought it was taken care of.

Then we got a letter a month ago from a collections agency, demanding payment from us. My husband refuted the claim, by explaining that it was not him.

We just received the following letter from the laboratory:

We are the laboratory that has sent you to collection. We have nothing in our notes showing that you have spoken to anyone in our laboratory. Please call xxxx to arrange for payment as soon as possible before this has gone into hard collection. We also have a copy of your license on file that was sent to us the day of your visit to Dr. xxxx. There is no mistake with someone else using your information at the clinic at the time of service.

What do we do??? Hire a lawyer? Keep refuting it? This is going to go on his credit report, if it isn't already there. Obviously, either the doctor's office messed up somehow, or someone is using his information at the office fraudulently. This is completely unbelievable.

Comments (10)

gina_in_fl
17 years ago
Call your credit card companies and ask for new cards & numbers at the very least.

Call old employer and report this to them.

Keep a good watch on bank accounts and such.

Does "Identity Theft" ring a bell?
myfask
17 years ago
Call the lab and dispute the debt make sure to write down the date and the person you spoke to.
Follow up with a certified letter disputing the debt and requesting proof of the debt.
If you haven't received your free copy of DH credit report this year I would get one to see if this is reporting. If it is file a dispute with the Credit bureau.
It also may not hurt to call the old Doctors office and ask them if they are showing a record of this.
Karla
Related Discussions
putting old debts on credit report
Q
Comments (5)
Have you tried to comprehend the Medicare pharmacy "benefit"? In doing so, did you come across any conceivable way in which it's not a complete gimmee to the big healthcare companies? My mom's union insurance is not allowed to cover the 'donut hole' gap. Say what? All the propaganda about the primacy of private insurance, and then when you have it, they're not allowed to pay?? Bollocks. However inconvenient, annoying, or occasionally incompetent the healthcare system may be in countries where the govt takes care of it, it CANNOT BE WORSE than this moronic 'system' we have where poor people simply have to go without, and the F-ing president says airily, "oh, they can just go to the emergency room." As if there are still any emergency rooms left in poor neighborhoods, since they've been overburdened for years with people who need care but can't pay. And as if this very practice hasn't ended up increasing the cost of all health care and insurance, as the hospitals have to raise their other prices to try to make up for the shortfall (you don't think that Tylenol really should cost $12/pill, do you?) As one of the gainfully employed Americans whose employer carries health insurance, I'm part of the "system that works." I've seen the cost of premiums on my end go up anywhere from 5-12%/year (raises average 3%). Add to that increases in co-pays and exclusions, and it's well into double digits. Between my payments and my employer's the premiums (as of before the last increase) for 2 non-smoking adults with no chronic conditions to speak of (no diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc) are well over $6,000/year. And if you further add in the hassle cost (which Jim Jubak of MSN Money has done in several of his columns on various topics) of trying to keep up with a drug formulary that changes monthly, so your refills are suddenly disallowed, or arcane rules for coverage that are never fully disclosed, or phone calls 3 years on about whether the doctor was on the 'allowed' list or not....it's enuf to make you simply give up and quit trying. That's where I am now. I've already sent them one letter; it was after that that they called. At work. I refused to give my unlisted home number. I don't think there's any way for me to prove they were participating at that time. Not only has my company changed insurers multiple times since then, it's been bought and sold. So, who would have any records? And do I feel up to trying to traack them down? I'm already having enuf trouble trying to get my pension out of their hot little hands. OK, /rant. Thanks for the advice and the message board link. I'll try that out.
...See More
Monthly Debt vs. Overall Debt (LONG)
Q
Comments (13)
What did she "pay" ... well, "agree to pay" for her new car when she bought it two years ago? And how much has she paid over all of those months between then and now? And how much does she still owe? If she goes to buy a new one, how much will the dealer allow her as trade-in on her current car (with the less-than-attractive side) as reduction in price of the new one? She'll be astonished at the amount that the dealer will allow her as trade-in on her car with the caved-in side when she goes to buy her new car. I'll bet that it'll be less than she still owes, probably quite a bit less. So that, if the new car's price may be, say, $18,000. ... ... she may end up owing something like $22,000. on her new loan. On the new car that she paid $18,000. for ... ... but now, even if only a week after she bought it, and without a mark on it, would be worth probably about $14,000. Two thirds of what she owes? Not my idea of a good time! Would she listen if you drew a set of patterns for her, showing (with approximate sizes relative to dollar amounts), of what she paid for her current car, how much she's paid over the 24 months, how much she still owes, how much difference there is between her cost, what she's paid, what it's "worth" now as allowance toward an upgrade, etc. And showing how she's paying so much monthly on her student loan, so much monthly on her car loan, splitting those two payments into principal repayment and interest components, running the interest stream off the edge of the paper, as lost. So - she's working about half of her time monthly for ... ... nothing. But - currently, she's not working, is she? So how does she make car payments? How long before they may repossess it ... ... leaving her walking. Which wouldn't happen if the loan was all liquidated. Working much of her time - to pay someone else rent for the use of their money. And as long as she uses other folks' money ... she'll have to pay rent on it. Which is money that could have stayed in her pocket, had she driven the nearly new car (with the stove-in side) longer ... ... until she's paid off all of the money that she'd borrowed to buy it. Which would mean that the amount that she would be allowed at trade-in would be all hers, instead of mostly (or all - or maybe even more than all) going to pay off the loan that she still owes on the current car. Which would mean that the amount that she would have to borrow on the new car would be much lower. So - if she were paying the same amount per month ... the loan would be paid off in short order. Then she could keep putting that amount away (or most of it) to pay off her student loan faster. Could you draw comparable sized boxes to the amount of value that each item is, with labels, and the proportion of it that's hers, etc.? When we get stuck in a snow bank, we can do a lot of spinning wheels back and forth, with little result. Except burning a lot of gas. Wear and tear on tires. Wasting time. And, if we're not careful, when using an automatic transmission, burning up the transmission. And getting where? Nowhere! And getting not just ourselves, but people sitting in the car with us, more than likely, somewhat bent out of shape with irritability. Smells a lot like this situation, doesn't it? Just some thoughts. Or ... would you call it my whine? ole joyful
...See More
Dying with Debt -- who's responisible?
Q
Comments (23)
stir_fryi, that was a good assumption. I won't keep harping on it, so last time, don't give them anything. Unless you dislike the victim. marge727, obviously you're not an attorney in MN so for you to not have heard about the publication requirements and probate requirements would not be surprising. As I said states vary. There is also a "simple probate" procedure for limited asset estates but not knowing what the assets are I can't say whether it would be covered or not. My Aunt's estate was covered by it, shouldn't have been but was because of events, but that's a long sad story. gini2, what makes you think you need a SS# to place something into a credit report? Plus, getting a SS# these days isn't all that difficult. People fling them around so readily that it truly is scary. For some reason you're under the mistaken impressions that 1) the FDCPA has substatial teeth, which it doesn't; and 2) collection agents care. And BTW, you assume that they ARE representing Wells Fargo and that Wells Fargo is aware and condones their actions. Both assumptions are pretty precarious at this point. You don't suppose a collection agent would misrepresent themselves would you? There's an old saying about what happens when you assume.... It's like the do not call list. Good idea, poorly executed. Theoretically you tell them to put you on the DNC list they "can't" call you again. But that presupposes they put you on the list and obey the rules. There's been some people that have had some fun with them and there are a lot of more reputable places trying to follow the law. That's where the benefit it. But you're still far better protecting your privacy than expecting the callers to obey. BTW, if you do want to play with them some more, just start requesting company name, address, phone number, supervisor name, etc from them when they call. Although they are "required" to give this when asked, that doesn't say they will, nor does it guarantee it'll be accurate. You can then do some investigation to verify it, get a non-800 phone number, all this presupposing you want to mess with it. If not, ignore them or change number. Expect frequent calls though for about 6 months, should then die off for 3-6 months then start up again. For your own sake, don't let it get to you. I fully understand the frustrations but take a deep breath and laugh it off as best you can. If it gets to be too much you can always change your number. BTW, it does get them very frustrated (turnabout is fair play as they say) when you start asking them what they had for breakfast the last week, their dog's parent's name, where they go on vacation, what their favorite fart smell is and what color underwear their goldfish wear! Act like you truly care! :D
...See More
Contractor is threatening a mechanics lien-- should I be scared?
Q
Comments (15)
As I referenced earlier, under California law, as a licensed general contractor, you can only record a mechanic’s lien after all work contracted for is completed, or you no longer have the ability to complete the work (project has shut down, you have been terminated, etc.). If you record a lien before the work is completed, you have created a premature lien, which is not valid and you must remove it. Therefore, it would be your decision to terminate the contract that would expose you to the possibility of a lien. When you terminate a contract you must immediately pay the GC for all the work he has done. If some of the work was unacceptable you must make that clear in writing when you send him what you think you owe him. You should also make it clear why you terminated the contract. A rejection of work by the building inspector will be helpful. Everything should be documented. If the amount in dispute gets down to a few hundred dollars it will probably not be worth it to him to file a lawsuit to enforce the lien which he must do within 90 days of filing the lien.
...See More
scryn
17 years ago
I had this happen to me.
Same thing, but less amount of money luckily.

This was about two years ago, so I am trying to remember exactly what I did and in what order.

First off, I thought it was wrong also. I called the insurance company and they said it wasn't. Medical things don't get billed when you go to the dr. Some don't get billed untill a year later!!!! I know HOW STUPID! So if there is a problem or a mistake you don't find out until later.

I believe the insurance company told me the first date of billing or the date it was filed or something (it was the date I went to the dr)

I then called my dr. and asked (they should have this on file!!) if I had visited their office on this date. I had. ok, Well what was this charge for?
They couldn't tell me. UM OK? They could tell me the RESULTS of the test but couldnt' tell me what it was for..WHAT???
ok. So they had to send me the information about the test they did Although I knew I was "negative" I didn't know for what. So it turns out it was a normal routine PAP smear. Well I called back and asked why this wasn't covered. Turns out the nurse made a clerical billing error and instead of a routine thing it made is seem like I wanted/needed it so it wasn't covered.

I know insurance companies are STUPID (did I say that??)

In the mean time the collections agency was sending me letters about how I would be in trouble. When I called them and explained I wasn't paying it just yet the woman said because it was under 200$ it wouldn't be on my credit report anyways, so I didn't bother paying.

So my dr. office somehow fixed and resubmitted the paperwork and the charge was dismissed or something.

So I think my dr. visit was in 2002 and I didn't recieve the bill until 2004. I asked the insurance company how they can even charge me for something they LOST for 2 years! I guess it is legal.

ugh, I am so sorry you have to go through this. It is very frusterating.

So my advice: find the date that the bill is from (dr visit) and call that dr to confirm that you or your husband were there on that date and then determine what was done and if it should be covered by insurance or not.

-renee
okieladybug
17 years ago
This happened to us last year, but with a credit card debt. Our immediate concern was, of course, identity theft. We went promptly to the police dept. to file a claim and visited with a very nice detective who told us what to do. It turned out that it was NOT identity theft, but someone with the same name. SSNs had been switched in the company's records somehow. However, no amount of explaining helped any. They continued calling and harrassing us, regardless of the fact that my husband would have been nine years old at the time the debt was incurred!!!

The last time they called, the man was VERY rude to me, telling me that I was trying to get out of a debt that was obviously mine, etc. I VERY CALMLY explained to them that we had obtained the services of a lawyer and if they called back, they would be promptly sued. They have never called back. Of course, we did NOT have the services of a lawyer, but it was just what they needed to hear. If they had continued bothering us, we WOULD have hired a lawyer to write them a nasty letter and it would have been solved. ;)

I suggest doing exactly as myfask stated. Write them a certified letter insisting that proof of the debt be sent to you immediately. Also explain that should you find this debt is NOT yours, you WILL be obtaining the services of a lawyer. That should get them motivated to find out what's going on.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
At every visit, don't you have to sign a form?...something about the privacy act and disclosing info?

Might they also have a signed copy of that? Can they give you a copy of it showing the date?

I'd check with your old doctor, and see what he has on file. He should have a record where he ordered the tests, why he ordered them (routine, etc) and a copy of the results, I would think.

So what if they have a copy of his license. They have had it for years probably.

My first suspicion would be that the lab people screwed up. I am a cancer survivor, and had back surgery, so I've seem 'lots' of bills and 'lots' of screw-ups.

Start you a folder to keep track of all info concerning this case. Keep a record of 'who' said 'what' and at 'what' number, with the date and time of the call/visit. Keep track of everything.

Cover your/his butt too in the event of identity theft.

Please keep us posted as to what all you find out.

Here is something that comes to mind. A friend received a bill from a collection agency, claiming a bill had not been paid. it was for a surgery about 2 years prior. She had never received bills b4 saying she owed anything, then out of no where the hospital wants their money. Someone must have lost her old bill behind a desk or something.

My suspicion in your case, is that maybe the actual date of service is 'not' Jan 2006, but a much previous date. Now someone is trying to cover up their mistake. possibly the tests done will match up with something you hubby had done prior to leaving that doctor. I'd ask for all medical records from him...or the last couple of years worth anyway.

Sue
jahmmy
17 years ago
I'm with Sue. I have received on two separate occassions bills for medical treatment years after I had the treatment. Call the lab and get the dates of service, etc. Do not let them push you around - stay strong and get more information from them.
rivkadr
Original Author
17 years ago
We drove to the Doctor's office today. The test results were in my husband's medical records. The tests are definitely not his (one of the tests was a urinalysis, and DH hasn't peed in a cup in years) -- whoever the person is, they have herpes, and triglycerides through the roof! So...not him.

We talked to the doctor, and explained the situation, and he said he would call the lab and take care of it. No idea how this happened. We'll call the lab and the collections agency on Tuesday to make sure. If this isn't cleared up quickly, we'll be contacting a lawyer.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Good to hear that you are getting to the bottom of things.

I would give it some time, and then get your credit report pulled to see for sure that it isn't on there in any way.

Sue
clg7067
17 years ago
Are you sure it's not some test you had done a year ago?

In my work I see companies' health care expenditures through their insurance companies. You'd be surprised that some of these expense claims are still pending after a year or more.
clg7067
17 years ago
Oh, I just read you last post. Glad your husband doesn't have herpes.

Being Threatened By Collections - Not Our Debt!!

Comments (10)

gina_in_fl

myfask

Related Discussions

scryn

okieladybug

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

jahmmy

rivkadr
Original Author

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

clg7067

clg7067

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Being Threatened By Collections - Not Our Debt!!

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

rivkadrOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rivkadr
Original Author