Call from debt collector

[Anonymous]

What I *think* is going on, I paid a bill last week that was on final notice. Maybe it went into collections before the payment processed? The payment went through and cleared a few days ago, so they should know to leave me alone...right?

[Anonymous]

Just call them.

[Anonymous]

No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had this happen recently to me. Turns out three years ago, I had an ER visit and the radiologist never billed my insurance or contacted me for payment.

At this point, it is not likely on your credit report. So getting a credit report isn't going to help if it's not yet there.

What you are entitled to is verification of the debt in writing. This will include the creditor, the amount and the service provided. They must provide it immediately.

What I would do is return the call, ask who the creditor is and how much the bill is, the date on which the purchase or services were made. Then ask them to mail you verification. In order to do that, you will have to verify that they have your correct information. If you moved in the past few years, the information might not be current.

If you ignore it, you run the risk of being sued and having a black mark on your credit. It is far easier to deal with things at this level than responding to a lawsuit or trying to fix your credit.

+1.

Something like this happened to me. I got some advice from a lawyer friend that matched this. One additional point is you can (or could then) tell the collector that they may only contact you in writing. That's worth doing as (1) it prevents them verbally abusing you over the phonea and (2) makes them write stuff down, preventing at least some of the scummy tactics these people use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

+1

OP, deal directly with the medical provider. The debt collection agencies will never give you *any* information above and beyond what you could find out through your medical provider. If you have a guess as to which bill it was for, start by calling the billing office for that bill. Ask lots of questions. The debt collection agency works at the request of the billing office for your medical provider. If the billing office is satisfied that the bill is paid, they can instruct the debt collection agency to cease contacting you. Don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office to tell the debt collection agency to back off. Also, don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office whether the debt collection agency really contacted the credit rating agencies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They were definitely looking for me, not anyone else.

One other thing is that I always give hospitals and doc offices my cell # because I rarely use the house phone. This call was on the house phone which makes me wonder how they got the number. From tracking me down?

I'm nervous about actually owing this money and it being in collections. I would like to know WTF it's from so I can settle it but I'm not paying anything without seeing something in writing.

How do you know? I've had debt agencies go after my wife just because someone w/ the same name has unpaid bills. They'll lie about almost anything to get you to pay. If you do pay for something which isn't really your debt that becomes an admission that you did incur that debt and it will impact your credit rating.

[Anonymous]

The one time a bill was sent to collections for me, I had a little catch-22. The collection agency called and asked me to confirm my identity by giving them a personal identification number (I think they asked for my SSN). I refused. I said that I would not give that information out over the phone until they provided me with the details of the bill they were inquiring about including the point of origin/provider, the date and the amount in question. They said that they could not give that information out until I confirmed my identity. I said that they could call back when they could give me more information.

Oddly enough, they did not call back, but sent me a letter. I ended up calling the hospital and paying over the phone by credit card directly to the hospital billing department. Much easier. And so easy for a phishing scammer to have said exactly the same thing and gotten my SSN from me. No thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

+1

OP, deal directly with the medical provider. The debt collection agencies will never give you *any* information above and beyond what you could find out through your medical provider. If you have a guess as to which bill it was for, start by calling the billing office for that bill. Ask lots of questions. The debt collection agency works at the request of the billing office for your medical provider. If the billing office is satisfied that the bill is paid, they can instruct the debt collection agency to cease contacting you. Don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office to tell the debt collection agency to back off. Also, don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office whether the debt collection agency really contacted the credit rating agencies.

This isn't good advice. You need to know whether the debt has already been reported. Most debt collection agencies, if you call them, will agree not to report the debt for x period for you to negotiate with the medical provider. If you don't call them, they will report the debt. Getting a debt collection call or letter is no big deal if it doesn't make it to your credit report, and a huge headache if it does. So just call them back, see if they've reported yet, and if they haven't, explain that you are working with the medical provider and need them to hold off. If they agree, I would send a letter to them confirming, and then prioritize this particular debt in your repayment plan.

What is the upside of not calling? Do y'all think if you don't respond, it somehow gives you more time or that you're consenting to the debt collector taking over the debt. Neither is true. If this really is a scam call not associated with a real debt collection effort, OP should be careful to tease that out. But for an actual debt collection, there is no upside to dodging the calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The one time a bill was sent to collections for me, I had a little catch-22. The collection agency called and asked me to confirm my identity by giving them a personal identification number (I think they asked for my SSN). I refused. I said that I would not give that information out over the phone until they provided me with the details of the bill they were inquiring about including the point of origin/provider, the date and the amount in question. They said that they could not give that information out until I confirmed my identity. I said that they could call back when they could give me more information.

Oddly enough, they did not call back, but sent me a letter. I ended up calling the hospital and paying over the phone by credit card directly to the hospital billing department. Much easier. And so easy for a phishing scammer to have said exactly the same thing and gotten my SSN from me. No thank you.

But your call did in fact help you, because after the call, the debt collector checked a box in their file that said to send a particular default follow-up letter, and in the meantime you resolved the bill. Socalling was the correct choice, even if you ended up dealing directly with the provider.

[Anonymous]

OP:
Rule of thumb, if they do not give specifics(i.e. name of creditor THAT YOU RECOGNIZE, exactly what they are calling about -- THEN IGNORE, IGNORE, IGNORE!
If it is something legitimate they will find a way to reach out to you in a way that you recognize.
You know your bills are paid, why are you worried?
Scammers like this count on people like you who hear a voicemail and panic (not being snarky, this is exactly what these jokers are hoping for).
Bottom line, I could leave you a VM saying you owe me money...but you don't!
IGNORE!

[Anonymous]

Call the hospital or wherever the medical bills are coming from. They'll be able to tell you if the bills went to collection.

[Anonymous]

Consumer attorney here. Given the facts here I'd say 75% chance of being a scam, 25% chance of being real. Govern thyself accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

+1

OP, deal directly with the medical provider. The debt collection agencies will never give you *any* information above and beyond what you could find out through your medical provider. If you have a guess as to which bill it was for, start by calling the billing office for that bill. Ask lots of questions. The debt collection agency works at the request of the billing office for your medical provider. If the billing office is satisfied that the bill is paid, they can instruct the debt collection agency to cease contacting you. Don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office to tell the debt collection agency to back off. Also, don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office whether the debt collection agency really contacted the credit rating agencies.

This isn't good advice. You need to know whether the debt has already been reported. Most debt collection agencies, if you call them, will agree not to report the debt for x period for you to negotiate with the medical provider. If you don't call them, they will report the debt. Getting a debt collection call or letter is no big deal if it doesn't make it to your credit report, and a huge headache if it does. So just call them back, see if they've reported yet, and if they haven't, explain that you are working with the medical provider and need them to hold off. If they agree, I would send a letter to them confirming, and then prioritize this particular debt in your repayment plan.

What is the upside of not calling? Do y'all think if you don't respond, it somehow gives you more time or that you're consenting to the debt collector taking over the debt. Neither is true. If this really is a scam call not associated with a real debt collection effort, OP should be careful to tease that out. But for an actual debt collection, there is no upside to dodging the calls.

I am sorry pp -- but that is NUTS! If there is a legitimate debt, let them contact you by mail. How are they going to prove you talked to them on the phone and were made aware of the debt. You can't rely on them to see if they reported you to the credit reporting agencies, you need to check your credit report yourself(on a regular basis). I DO NOT GIVE OUT INFO ON THE PHONE -- that's just a badddd idea.
And I get these kinds of calls all the time --and I have a FICO score in the high 7's -- so I know they are full of it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

+1

OP, deal directly with the medical provider. The debt collection agencies will never give you *any* information above and beyond what you could find out through your medical provider. If you have a guess as to which bill it was for, start by calling the billing office for that bill. Ask lots of questions. The debt collection agency works at the request of the billing office for your medical provider. If the billing office is satisfied that the bill is paid, they can instruct the debt collection agency to cease contacting you. Don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office to tell the debt collection agency to back off. Also, don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office whether the debt collection agency really contacted the credit rating agencies.

EXACTLY -- LISTEN TO THIS PEOPLE.
The danger of calling these jokers back is -- you are already in a panic -- and you accidently and inadvertently acknowledge a debt that is not yours -- you have just successfully screwed yourself! Only deal with folks in writing. Plus, when you call them back, they know they have the right number...and will keep harassing you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. You never call these people back. Ever.

If they are legit, don't worry, they will send something in writing AND call you again.

Don't worry.
If you owe money, you have many written reminders and phone calls to go before they actually do something besides harassing you.

BTDT.

+1

OP, deal directly with the medical provider. The debt collection agencies will never give you *any* information above and beyond what you could find out through your medical provider. If you have a guess as to which bill it was for, start by calling the billing office for that bill. Ask lots of questions. The debt collection agency works at the request of the billing office for your medical provider. If the billing office is satisfied that the bill is paid, they can instruct the debt collection agency to cease contacting you. Don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office to tell the debt collection agency to back off. Also, don't be afraid to ask the medical provider's billing office whether the debt collection agency really contacted the credit rating agencies.

This isn't good advice. You need to know whether the debt has already been reported. Most debt collection agencies, if you call them, will agree not to report the debt for x period for you to negotiate with the medical provider. If you don't call them, they will report the debt. Getting a debt collection call or letter is no big deal if it doesn't make it to your credit report, and a huge headache if it does. So just call them back, see if they've reported yet, and if they haven't, explain that you are working with the medical provider and need them to hold off. If they agree, I would send a letter to them confirming, and then prioritize this particular debt in your repayment plan.

What is the upside of not calling? Do y'all think if you don't respond, it somehow gives you more time or that you're consenting to the debt collector taking over the debt. Neither is true. If this really is a scam call not associated with a real debt collection effort, OP should be careful to tease that out. But for an actual debt collection, there is no upside to dodging the calls.

I am sorry pp -- but that is NUTS! If there is a legitimate debt, let them contact you by mail. How are they going to prove you talked to them on the phone and were made aware of the debt. You can't rely on them to see if they reported you to the credit reporting agencies, you need to check your credit report yourself(on a regular basis). I DO NOT GIVE OUT INFO ON THE PHONE -- that's just a badddd idea.
And I get these kinds of calls all the time --and I have a FICO score in the high 7's -- so I know they are full of it!

"How are they going to prove you talked to them on the phone and were made aware of the debt."

You seem to be mistaking debt collection with process serving. Whether you accept their call has absolutely nothing to do with whether you owe them money. If you talk to them, you can ask them to delay reporting. If they agree, you could also send a written letter confirming the conversation. And, over the phone, you could invoke your right to receive a written statement of their claim.

"You can't rely on them to see if they reported you to the credit reporting agencies, you need to check your credit report yourself(on a regular basis)."

I didn't even kind of suggest you rely on them to find out if they reported you. What I said is that if they have not reported you yet, you can ask them not to, which they might do. You should ALSO check your credit report yourself, but by the time it appears on your credit report, it is often too late to fix or at least exceedingly difficult to fix. There is a possibility you can avoid the problem in the first place by asking them not to report. This is especially true with medical debt collectors, who sometimes have agreements with the medical provider to let the pateint attempt to resolve the issue with the provider after first contact from the debt collector.

" I DO NOT GIVE OUT INFO ON THE PHONE -- that's just a badddd idea."

I didn't in any way suggest otherwise.