Debt collector trying to collect debt that never existed.

[C.Z]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia.

In April 2016 I took my 13 year old son to the emergency room. After receiving treatment I paid the co-pay of $150. About 4 weeks later I receive a bill from the hospital stating I owe a certain amount and the co-pay. I sent in payment for the excess amount and copies of my debit card statement showing that I paid the $150 at time of service.
Since then I have received monthly collection notices about the $150. Each letter I have responded to with telephone calls, fax and later letters via USPS.
In November the hospital turns my account over to Central Financial Control, a debt collection agency that sends me a collection letter. I contact them by phone and they state that the hospital has not received any of my communications. This time a fax 6 copies of my proof of payment and send 3 letters. I call them to confirm that they have received the letters. After 2 weeks the acknowledge that they have received my dispute. After that I receive one more collection letter which I respond to by calling up Central Financial Control. They say the case is under review, after 60 days I have had no news I report Central Financial Control to the Consumer protection agency. Less than 7 days after that I receive a letter stating that my payment was indeed received on the date of service but posted to a different account, and I still owe $150 on my sons account. The account number the collection agency states I paid to does not belong to anyone in my family. I received yet another collection letter from Central Financial Control threatening to report me to credit score agencies. I have yet again disputed the debt and reported both the hospital and Central Financial Control to the Consumer Protection Agency.
But what else can I do?
We can not afford a lawyer to fight over $150.
Any suggestions?
Thankful for any advice.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia.

In April 2016 I took my 13 year old son to the emergency room. After receiving treatment I paid the co-pay of $150. About 4 weeks later I receive a bill from the hospital stating I owe a certain amount and the co-pay. I sent in payment for the excess amount and copies of my debit card statement showing that I paid the $150 at time of service.
Since then I have received monthly collection notices about the $150. Each letter I have responded to with telephone calls, fax and later letters via USPS.
In November the hospital turns my account over to Central Financial Control, a debt collection agency that sends me a collection letter. I contact them by phone and they state that the hospital has not received any of my communications. This time a fax 6 copies of my proof of payment and send 3 letters. I call them to confirm that they have received the letters. After 2 weeks the acknowledge that they have received my dispute. After that I receive one more collection letter which I respond to by calling up Central Financial Control. They say the case is under review, after 60 days I have had no news I report Central Financial Control to the Consumer protection agency. Less than 7 days after that I receive a letter stating that my payment was indeed received on the date of service but posted to a different account, and I still owe $150 on my sons account. The account number the collection agency states I paid to does not belong to anyone in my family. I received yet another collection letter from Central Financial Control threatening to report me to credit score agencies. I have yet again disputed the debt and reported both the hospital and Central Financial Control to the Consumer Protection Agency.
But what else can I do?
We can not afford a lawyer to fight over $150.
Any suggestions?
Thankful for any advice.

Well, you've got a couple of options (maybe more, but I'll focus on two):

1: Go on down to the hospital and actually speak to someone in person.
or
2: Pay the $150. If you choose this option, I would be clear that you are paying for convenience only. I would ask for a statement, in writing, that the collection account will be deleted from your credit reports.

 

[C.Z]

Could anyone tell me: I would assume that is illegal for the hospital to post my payment to another account that is not associated with me or a family member in any way?
If it is indeed illegal, how and where would I report it?
This is beyond a debt collector using unfair or unethical methods. The hospital actually took the money and placed it in someone else's account.

 

[justalayman]

Could anyone tell me: I would assume that is illegal for the hospital to post my payment to another account that is not associated with me or a family member in any way?
If it is indeed illegal, how and where would I report it?
This is beyond a debt collector using unfair or unethical methods. The hospital actually took the money and placed it in someone else's account.

Mistakes such as this are not illegal. It's a mistake.

Now, there are issues with the fcra that would come into play if this debt is reported to a credit reporting agency.


But what you need to do is speak to the account services department at
The hospital... in person.

 

[C.Z]

Thank You for your advise. I have indeed tried to contact the hospitals account department to find out where they are located. Unfortunately, all they will tell me is that "it is out of their hands" and I have to take it up with the debt collector agency.
I am sure it was a genuine mistake in the beginning but after 10 month of lost documents, unforfilled promises of returning calls and general incompetence I am under the impression that they have no intention to correct their mistake.

 

[buddyzeus]

Thank You for your advise. I have indeed tried to contact the hospitals account department to find out where they are located. Unfortunately, all they will tell me is that "it is out of their hands" and I have to take it up with the debt collector agency.
I am sure it was a genuine mistake in the beginning but after 10 month of lost documents, unforfilled promises of returning calls and general incompetence I am under the impression that they have no intention to correct their mistake.

ok here is some free advice , you say you went to the ER and paid a $ 150.00 CO Pay I am assuming you had insurance ? , here are a few things you can do , 1st it does not get removed from your credit report . but like most insurance bills on your credit report it can be easily disputed , since it is not a retail credit card , it is handled differently which is good for you , all you would have to do to check if it is on your credit report go on any credit reporting site and get a free copy of your credit report and see if it is showing up on your credit report , if not don't worry about it , they are just scaring you but if it is on your credit report go the the online dispute and dispute it with the credit agency directly , and just tell them you paid it , then you will get a answer from the credit agency usually with in 7 days and if you are right they will update your credit report , . most hospital and insurance companies do this unless the person challenges them the correct way , but this how you start

 

[quincy]

C.Z., if you DO find that the erroneous debt shows up on your credit reports, you will want to dispute the error with each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Here is a link to the Federal Trade Commission on how to dispute credit errors:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0151-disputing-errors-credit-reports

 

[C.Z]

Thank You all for your input.
The case was unexpectedly resolved today. 2 nights ago I searched the hospitals website up and down for any kind of address or e-mail to contact the accounts department directly. I came across a link to report suspected ethics violation committed by hospital personnel or department. I wrote the whole history down and uploaded all communications and paperwork I had saved.
Today both the debt collector and the head of the hospitals ethics committee called me and profoundly apologized. They said a written confirmation that the account is paid in full is in the mail and they are both conducting an investigation on how something like this could have happened.
I am very relieved!

 

[quincy]

I am happy to hear that all was resolved to your satisfaction, C.Z.

I would recommend XXX ...

Nice information, buddyzeus, if this site allowed commercial messages. Perhaps you might want to read the terms of service, summarized for your convenience at the bottom of this and every page - see IMPORTANT NOTICE.

 

[buddyzeus]

I am happy to hear that all was resolved to your satisfaction, C.Z.





Nice information, buddyzeus, if this site allowed commercial messages. Perhaps you might want to read the terms of service, summarized for your convenience at the bottom of this and every page - see IMPORTANT NOTICE.

you are ridiculous my post was not for not for commercial purposes at all , I gave free advice to a consumer that was looking for help , , you misinterpreted my message to meet your needs , not the person asking for help , that is the problem in today's society people assume alot of incorrect things , LIKE YOU ,

 

[quincy]

you are ridiculous my post was not for not for commercial purposes at all , I gave free advice to a consumer that was looking for help , , you misinterpreted my message to meet your needs , not the person asking for help , that is the problem in today's society people assume alot of incorrect things , LIKE YOU ,

The moderator of this forum deemed your post to be a commercial message. That is all that really matters.

I am not sure what "needs" I had that would have been met by misinterpreting your message. I quoted the portion of your post that violated the terms of service.

But, hey, if calling me ridiculous makes you feel good about yourself, so be it.