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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    6

    Default Unknown Account in Collections on My Credit Report

    My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: FL

    Hi,
    Yesterday I was extremely shocked to find out that my application for federal plus student loans has been declined due to an account in collections. I have always paid each and every bill meticulously and was more than sure that my credit history is excellent. After the news I checked my credit reports and 2 of them were great (Trans Union and Experian) but on the Equifax report there was an account in collection - a medical bill for $80 from FL. It says that the account was assigned to the collection agency in April 2009 and reported in August 2009. It also says that the first delinquency was in December 2008. I had no knowledge of this bill at all. Never received a letter or a phone call. In March 2009 I moved to NY, but I changed my mailing address in the US post service, did everything the right way and my cell phone number was still the same. I am frustrated that I have to wait until Monday to deal with the whole situation. I already initiated a dispute on the Equifax's website, but that would take up to 45 days and I have to pay my summer semester by April 25. I am really upset that I wasn't made aware of the bill (if it's mine at all) and that the Federal loans processors declined my application for a $80 bill after nothing but perfectly clean credit history. I don't understand why nobody tried to contact me. Somehow the creditors of my ex-husband are able to track me to NY and send his bills to my address (and we've been divorced for 5 years - he lives in OH), but I wasn't contacted for $80 that I supposedly owe?!?!?!
    I'm planning to call the collection agency tomorrow and request that they verify the debt. Are they required to prove attempts to contact me? What can I do in this case? Please, any advice is appreciated. I'm stressed because of the time pressure for my tuition payments but I also feel like I was treated very unfairly.
    Thank you!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Unknown Account in Collections on My Credit Report

    . I am really upset that I wasn't made aware of the bill (if it's mine at all)
    well, the first thing you have to do is figure out if it is your bill. Did you obtain medical services from the listed creditor in the time frame the debt was created? If so, it might be your debt. While you may be in a hurry, the process to deal with this isn't.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Unknown Account in Collections on My Credit Report

    Thanks for replying. I already had the feeling that it won't be fast.
    Do you know if they are required to contact me before reporting me to a credit bureau?
    Even if it's my bill, If I only knew about it, I would've paid it right away.
    All this just feels surreal to me.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Unknown Account in Collections on My Credit Report

    Do you know if they are required to contact me before reporting me to a credit bureau?
    yes, I do know and no, they don't.


    Even if it's my bill, If I only knew about it, I would've paid it right away.
    I do not know what actions the creditor took to attempt to contact you. They might have sent a bill but maybe they didn't. You can always ask what attempts to contact you have they made but it really doesn't change a lot. If it is your bill, you still owe it.

    to attempt to speed things up and if it will help you, I would find out who owns the debt and ask them if you pay the bill in full will they issue a statement showing such in an expedient manner so you can provide that to the college loan folks. Be sure to follow this up by making sure it is (eventually) reflected properly as paid in full on your credit report. (it can take several months for it to be reflected on your credit report)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    6

    Default Re: Unknown Account in Collections on My Credit Report

    Thanks for the advice. I'll talk to them tomorrow.
    But I read that even if paid it will stay on my credit report 7-10 years.
    I feel like some of my rights must have been violated...but I need a lawyer to tell me.
    How am I supposed to pay a bill that I had no idea existed?
    Do you know how can I find a lawyer to consult on the issue?
    Thanks.

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