false credit report information
false credit report information
False information on credit report?
My husband’s credit report says he did not pay a medical bill to an internal medicine doctor that WAS paid. I paid it myself with a check. However this was 3 years ago so I do not have a copy of the check. What can he do about this?
First, check with your bank and see if you can get copies of the check or at least statements from that time. It will cost. If you didn’t get back the actual cancelled checks, you may be in luck and the bank will have it. In any case, you need to start keeping your bank records a whole lot longer for just this reason. Bank records should be kept at least 7 years.
Sending a dispute to the credit bureau at this point will be a total waste of time. The credit bureau would contact the collection agency who will respond that it’s a valid debt.
If you cannot get copies from your bank, send a letter to the original medical provider. Ask them to review their records, as you paid them in full. If you get lucky, you might be able to resolve the whole thing with the doctor’s office. It could be additional charges or something your insurance didn’t pay. Happens all the time with medical bills.
If you get no where with the doctor’s office, send the collection agency a certified, return receipt letter requesting validation to include copies of any document that proves you owe the debt. Ask for a detailed account statement showing all charges and payments made.
If all else fails and you want to keep this off your credit report, negotiate a pay for delete — you pay $x and they remove the item from your credit report. Send a letter specifically saying that you are not acknowledging this debt but making an offer to expedite removal of the item from your credit report. Offer about 10%. Ask that an authorized agent of the collection agency sign and return a copy of your letter indicating acceptance of your offer. When you get the signed copy, sent them a money order. Don’t give them access to your bank account.
