How can I resolve a mysterious delinquency / "debt collection" on my spouse's credit report?

2016-07-16T18:19:26-04:00

My wife just found out that there is a "debt collection" on her credit report from a medical bill she unknowingly received while covered under Tricare in Germany. The total amount owed is less than $100. She never received any form of notification and was shocked when she discovered it. My question is, would it be better for her to wait the "7 year" period now that she is so close, or should she contact the debt collection company and request they remove it from her credit score if we pay the entire balance?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 16 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-07-16T18:25:14-04:00

http://www.consumerfinance.gov

That's the website for the CFPB, they have a toll free phone number on it, ask for their svc mbr/vet ofc, though, unless your wife is a SVC MBR or vet, even though the whole thing obv affects you, they may need her or you to spk with other staff there. If you start anywhere, I'd honestly start with them, if any org can help, I honestly think they'd be the best place to approach first, just a thought, be eager to know what happens, or to chat furtepher, if youd want, hope that's of use, many thanks.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 16 at 2016 7:02 PM

2016-07-16T19:02:10-04:00

ENS Private RallyPoint Member Contact COL Mikel J. Burroughs He is in the collection business!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jul 16 at 2016 7:27 PM

2016-07-16T19:27:56-04:00

If it is not causing you a problem and is close to coming off I would just forget about it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 8:14 PM

2016-07-16T20:14:50-04:00

Send the major credit companies such as Equifax a fraud alert complete with your information and proof of identity.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 16 at 2016 10:28 PM

2016-07-16T22:28:02-04:00

First she needs to contact the collection agency and ask them who the original creditor is. then she needs to contact the original creditor to find out when this debt occurred and ask for proof...a copy of the invoice or whatever....I once had the same thing happen and it turned out it was a trip to the Children's emergency room with my youngest son and the Methodist hospital billed me, but the bill should have gone to their father...so I forwarded it to him but he never paid it and the sold it to a collection agency.
second....if they can prove it was truly her bill, then she needs to pay it through the collection agency...
One other thing you can do is go online to the credit bureaus this debt is being reported to and "DISPUTE" this account. The collection agency will be contacted by the bureaus and will have 30 days to respond...afterwards the bureaus will send a letter stating it's either going to stay on as a collection or be removed...if it's staying on, go back online and dispute it. This will take it to the second tier of disputing an account which the bureaus will again contact the creditor, but this time the creditor will have to send in proof...at this point many collections will come off because they don't have actual proof...

if not, just contact the collection agency and set up payment arrangements....you don't have to pay all at once...you can pay over the next 12-24 months. Medical collections will not negotiate, unlike other collections that will let you settle for less than full balance due.

I help my clients on a daily basis with credit issues...many have to be cleared up in order to get qualified for a home mortgage loan...So....I've gotten really good at fixing credit issues.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 20 at 2016 12:44 PM

2016-07-20T12:44:49-04:00

ENS Private RallyPoint Member I've already responded to you personally through the message capabilities here on RP. Since I've been working in this filed for over 37 years I hope that advise provided some clarity. Let me know offline which direction you went in? Thanks