Disputing an alleged debt if often very difficult because of the lack of information that is provided. This ties into the discussion about what should be required in the initial notice. Sending me a bill from XYZ Labs for a blood test that was done when I gave birth to my child? How am I supposed to know what doctor or facility conducted testing...or even better...you are hospitalized and meet numerous physicians during your stay...next thing you get a bill from XYZ Medical Associates. When you do dispute a bill, the collection agency send you the same infomation over again. Creiditors should be required to list the service date(s) and any and all information that could help the consumer know who they owe a debt to. Agencies should not be able to put something on your credit report without first having attempted to collect the debt.
I have had several doctor/laboratory debts placed on my credit report. These are debts that I never rec'd a bill for or even a phone call from the hospital or facility. I have very good health insurance that paid over $14k when I had my baby...3 months go by and I start getting notified by my credit monitoring agency that my credit score is going down. Why? things such as a (pediatric audiology test $83) when my baby was 1 day old. apparently the audiologist doesnt bill through the hospital....subsequently, they also dont bill the patients..they outsource their billing to a 3rd party collection agency who immediately reports it to all 3 credit bureaus. Maybe i missed that forumn on this sight, but what about further regulating the credit reporting agencies that can destroy your credit without any proof. A company can send a $100 bill to Transunion and say I owe it, and BAM...my credit score takes a 10 point dive.
Agencies should not be able to put something on your credit report without first having not only validated the debt and provided any and all documents that prove you owe the debt, but they must be required to have attempted to collect the debt. I have had businesses tell em that its cheaper to put the bill directly on your credit report than it is to hire a 3rd party to collect the debt. This is a horrible injustice to the people who pay their bills, maintain health iunsurance and who will pay their outstanding debts. The system is set up to force the consumer to prove their innocence (if you will) verus the creditor proving they are owed a debt.
hdhoward4500
1
Disputing an alleged debt if often very difficult because of the lack of information that is provided. This ties into the discussion about what should be required in the initial notice. Sending me a bill from XYZ Labs for a blood test that was done when I gave birth to my child? How am I supposed to know what doctor or facility conducted testing...or even better...you are hospitalized and meet numerous physicians during your stay...next thing you get a bill from XYZ Medical Associates. When you do dispute a bill, the collection agency send you the same infomation over again. Creiditors should be required to list the service date(s) and any and all information that could help the consumer know who they owe a debt to. Agencies should not be able to put something on your credit report without first having attempted to collect the debt.
View this comment in the discussion thread
hdhoward4500
2
I have had several doctor/laboratory debts placed on my credit report. These are debts that I never rec'd a bill for or even a phone call from the hospital or facility. I have very good health insurance that paid over $14k when I had my baby...3 months go by and I start getting notified by my credit monitoring agency that my credit score is going down. Why? things such as a (pediatric audiology test $83) when my baby was 1 day old. apparently the audiologist doesnt bill through the hospital....subsequently, they also dont bill the patients..they outsource their billing to a 3rd party collection agency who immediately reports it to all 3 credit bureaus. Maybe i missed that forumn on this sight, but what about further regulating the credit reporting agencies that can destroy your credit without any proof. A company can send a $100 bill to Transunion and say I owe it, and BAM...my credit score takes a 10 point dive. Agencies should not be able to put something on your credit report without first having not only validated the debt and provided any and all documents that prove you owe the debt, but they must be required to have attempted to collect the debt. I have had businesses tell em that its cheaper to put the bill directly on your credit report than it is to hire a 3rd party to collect the debt. This is a horrible injustice to the people who pay their bills, maintain health iunsurance and who will pay their outstanding debts. The system is set up to force the consumer to prove their innocence (if you will) verus the creditor proving they are owed a debt.
View this comment in the discussion thread