Bills delivered to incorrect address, now in collecions

[bevdel]

New York

A neighbor delivered some mail to me which had her address on it. It was from a debt collector for medical services which I had not paid. The doctor was sending them to the wrong address. At one time years ago I had told the doctor that they had sent mail to my neighbor's address, and asked her to update my address. She assured me she had the correct address. Now I am in collections for bills which were not sent to my home. Can I do anything about it? Will this affect my credit?

 

[Zigner]

New York

A neighbor delivered some mail to me which had her address on it. It was from a debt collector for medical services which I had not paid. The doctor was sending them to the wrong address. At one time years ago I had told the doctor that they had sent mail to my neighbor's address, and asked her to update my address. She assured me she had the correct address. Now I am in collections for bills which were not sent to my home. Can I do anything about it? Will this affect my credit?

Pay what you owe - yes it will affect your credit. Why didn't you inquire with the doc when the bills didn't come in a timely manner?

 

[bevdel]

I did inquire

I actually asked them to check the address. They confirmed it was correct in their file. Obviously it was not. The billing person and I decided she would call me monthly and I would make a payment. I was doing this. No further calls - I assumed it was paid up. I called a month ago to make an appointment. Asked for the billing office and left a voicemail. Asked if I owed anything. No callback - so assumed it must be fully paid. I work, have two special needs kids, and there is so much time I have to spend remembering about and chasing things up.