Just got a notice from a collection agency - what will this do to my credit?

[Anonymous]

I have no doubt this bill is legit (although I will go through all my bank statements to confirm I didn't pay it). It's a medical bill and over the last year I've have several bills from a pregnancy, birth and cancer treatments. With all the back and forth of copays, coinsurance, denied claims, etc, I'm just going to presume its legit and it will be paid tomorrow.

I just refinanced my house in november and my credit score was rated within the range of 740-780. I haven't pulled it since. Mortgages, student loans, credit card, etc always paid I time

I was hoping to buy a car next month. Anyone have a clue how bad of a hit on my credit I'm about to get? Is there anything I can do to mitigate it. TIA

[Anonymous]

Careful some are scams or just billing mistakes. Also, a lot of collection agencies actaully can't report on your credit report (even if they threaten to).

Get a free copy of your credit report (you're entitled to one per year, free, from each agency) to see if you see any claim on there.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm sorry - it sounds like you've been through a lot recently. I know it's a pain, but before you pay the bill, call the collection agency and check your records to make sure you're not being double billed. I handle my parents' bills and mistakes with medical stuff happen ALL THE TIME. I just finished clearly up a mess where they were being TRIPLE billed for an ambulance.

It shouldn't make your credit score go down too much- it should still be above 700.

[Anonymous]

I've had to pay double sometimes several times - had already paid bill and still got this. infuriated me but did it to save credit

[Anonymous]

contest the notice pursuant to the fair debt collection act and demand specific proof that it belongs to you and is unpaid.

In the interim go ahead and pay your original creditor.

By the time the credit agency verifies the debt it should be paid and the whole thing will go away before anything appears anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Do your research and work with the creditor and credit agency to pay in return for them either not reporting or withdrawing their report to the credit agency. We had a similar situation after a dispute with a utility. When we finally figured out what had happened, it was a huge hassle but ultimately we got the collection removed from my credit report and squared away. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Send a proof demand letter under the FDCA. Odds are they will not respond back. Had this happen numerous times with Comcast.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it will affect your credit. The best way is to determine who is the original company and try to pay to them
sometimes companies haven't fully sold the debt to the collection agency
good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Send a proof demand letter under the FDCA. Odds are they will not respond back. Had this happen numerous times with Comcast.

To this point; you can request that proof and copy one or more of the credit bureaus; set it in your calendar. after 30 days, you can write again and demand to be removed from your credit score.

[Anonymous]

++ validate the debt. If you know it's legit, pay the original creditor (hospital/medical office etc).

[Anonymous]

If you pay it off, they won't report it to the credit agencies so it should have no effect.

Either way, I would go back and confirm you do actually owe this money. I had a hospital in NYC send a bill to collection without contacting me first - total scam and totally illegal.