Collection Issue

What is the name of your state? California.

I have recently received a collection notice for a medical service that my daughter never received. It is from Quest Diagnostics Lab and supposedly the order for the test was from a clinic that we have never been to. They had our old address, from 14 years ago and did not have my name. It was simply addressed to parents of Erika Mitchall, (should have been Mitchell). I have spoken with the Collection Company and received no help. I have spoken with the Dr. office and they simply told me to request more info and that the debt would have to be proven and I have spoken with Quest and they tell me I need to speak with the Dr. office. I have spent time working on this I need to get some action. Does anyone have any advice. I am concerned that someone has stolen my daughters identity or medical information. By the way the collection company told me it would just be easier to pay the debt. Is this some type of scam?

[bigun]

How old is your daugher? I'd check her credit report just to be on the safe side.
I think I'd pay a visit in person to the doctors office and find out what's going on. It may be a clerical error that just mushroomed. No way I'd pay if I never received any services.

Erika is 18 as of July 03. I did check her credit report and it is clean. I was thinking the same thing about paying a visit to the Dr. office. It is just such a pain in the tush. I don't understand it being a clerical error though since we have never been patients of this particular medical practice. We don't even live in the area. How did they get my daughters info and why is it so old. It is just peculiar. Makes me think it is some kind of fraud. What is sad is it seems the burden of proof is on me. Thanks for the reply. Kim

[bigun]

The burden of proof is not on you at all. You do need to be proactive in cleaning this up. It could well be some digits in a SS# got transposed and the unlucky recepient was your daughter.
To order lab tests, somebody had to authorize the work and signoff on the order. This ought to be straigthened out with a trip to the clinic or, the lab. I know it's a PITA but, do it right the first time and you should be done with it. WHen the error is discovered, be sure you get a copy of a written statement they send to the collection agency that the account was placed in error.