Disputing a collection account

[Paladin26]

Hey guys posted this awhile ago but it has been updated so thought I would ask.

I have only had 1 collection account and am anal on my credit. Wasn't really all my fault blah blah I am sure you have heard that.

I disputed it with Equifax (well their affliate) they sent it back with no chances. I found the comapanies number and called them and spoke with someone whom was very rude. She did not give me time to explain what happen and the fact that they never called to collect the debt. She said it wasn't her fault I couldn't pay my bills yada, I told her I was debt free (other then my house) and had a very good credit score other then the bad mark they had put on my report. We argued for quite awhile and I gave up. I called back 1 week later and spoke with a very nice lady but she said my account had been noted of what rude lady told me. I called the Equifax people back and filled another dispute. What actions can I take? BBB? Anything?

[dczech09]

You can only dispute a collection that you are not responsible for, or is inaccurate. Period. Trying to dispute a collection account that is your responsiblity (whether it was your fault or not)is borderline FRAUD! If you owe the money in this collection account, you have to pay it off, no questions asked. If it is not yours, then you can dispute it and get it taken off.

Since Equifax has not changed things and based on what you have said in your post, I am assuming that this collection account is in fact your responsibility. If I am wrong, then I apologize. If I am correct, then the only action you can take is to pay off the collector. You can complain about the rude representative to the BBB, but ultimately they will tell you to pay off the debt.

[Paladin26]

Should have explained it a bit better.

Long version of the story (short below)

This happend about 3 years ago. I got my wisdom teeth pulled and paid 20% copay which is what my insruance was supposed to have me pay. Arouynd 1 month later and for the next 4-6 weeks I kept getting a bill for 300 dollars more. I had already paid about $250 so finaly I called. I spoke with them and they said that it was my money to pay since they over charged me. I called the doctors back and they said that they were the lowest in a 3 state area. To make a long story short I fought with the insurance company until they paid a small portion. This left me with 214 dollars to pay. I still wanted them to pay it since that would have ment me paying for near 50% of what had been charged which is BS since I have insurance and pay per month for it.

Anywho it went to collections at the time of my wife and I's honeymoon. The collection agency gave me a call and I paid it the day they called me. I ended up asking them if it was going to impact my credit they said it would and that I was past due with them. I asked them how long, and they said 31 days so we reported it yesterday. I asked them how they could report it when they never called me. They said they tried to call 8 times. I then asked the number and turns out they had the wrong number.

Now my credit scores are much higher (mid 700's) other then my equifax credit score which is a evil 666. I am only disputing this for the fact that they reported me being late and clearly this was not my fault. At least I think it is not.

Short version -

I already paid this debt 3 years ago. The only reason I am disputing it is that they called me 1 day after 30 days and reported me past due. When asked if they had tried to call me before they had the wrong phone number. I paid in full that very day and I am still 50-75 points less on my credit score becuase of this thing. This is the only time I have EVER been in collections or past due. So heck yeah I am trying to fight it =).

Hope that helps.

[Paladin26]

Just wondering if anyone has some advice for me?

[Seeker]

Should have explained it a bit better.

Long version of the story (short below)

This happend about 3 years ago. I got my wisdom teeth pulled and paid 20% copay which is what my insruance was supposed to have me pay. Arouynd 1 month later and for the next 4-6 weeks I kept getting a bill for 300 dollars more. I had already paid about $250 so finaly I called. I spoke with them and they said that it was my money to pay since they over charged me. I called the doctors back and they said that they were the lowest in a 3 state area. To make a long story short I fought with the insurance company until they paid a small portion. This left me with 214 dollars to pay. I still wanted them to pay it since that would have ment me paying for near 50% of what had been charged which is BS since I have insurance and pay per month for it.

Anywho it went to collections at the time of my wife and I's honeymoon. The collection agency gave me a call and I paid it the day they called me. I ended up asking them if it was going to impact my credit they said it would and that I was past due with them. I asked them how long, and they said 31 days so we reported it yesterday. I asked them how they could report it when they never called me. They said they tried to call 8 times. I then asked the number and turns out they had the wrong number.

Now my credit scores are much higher (mid 700's) other then my equifax credit score which is a evil 666. I am only disputing this for the fact that they reported me being late and clearly this was not my fault. At least I think it is not.

Short version -

I already paid this debt 3 years ago. The only reason I am disputing it is that they called me 1 day after 30 days and reported me past due. When asked if they had tried to call me before they had the wrong phone number. I paid in full that very day and I am still 50-75 points less on my credit score becuase of this thing. This is the only time I have EVER been in collections or past due. So heck yeah I am trying to fight it =).

Hope that helps.

I am confused.... did you pay in full or pay per agreement?

If you paid in full, then this is what I'd recommend:

1) Write them a letter, forms and telephone calls leave it up to them to do the research. Write that you have an item in dispute from your Credit Report and list only those details. Date, amount and facts. Write that the Collection Agency had the wrong phone number, and you heard about the error and paid in full on the very same day/date that they first contacted you via phone (I'm sort of assuming that your mailing address had also changed during this time?).

2) Write to the Collection Agency as well. If they are still in business and can confirm the facts to both you and the Credit Reporting Bureau, it would go a very long way toward getting your record cleared.

Credit Reporting Agencies want facts in writing; verbal agreements do not work as well because there's no written sequence (nor dates) to determine fact from.


If you've not paid in full, then it's called a "charge-off" and generally that will be more costly in terms of points lost in your credit score. A paid-in-full always looks better (even if late), than a charge-off.

If you've not had any other late payments, or charge offs, in the last three years, I'm surprised that your credit score with the one agency is 50-75 points apart from the other two. But they all have different operations, and even different people will react differently to the same requests (as you've found out).

At any rate, write out the factual details (without excuses or emotion) and send copies of any supporting documents.

[Paladin26]

Yes it has been paid, I paid it the day they called me.

I will write them, any body got any addtional info that may help. BTW thanks for the help