Thursday's mail contained an envelope that looked like junk mail. It had other junky companions, yet also real mail, like our monthly statements from our financial investments. Of course I open all the mail to make sure I'm not missing anything important.
This one was in a plain window envelope. With a return address in Georgia. No stamp, just a printed "First Class Mail, Presorted, Postage Paid, Mailed From Zip Code 44711, Permit No. 1377." Nothing especially remarkable about the appearance.
Inside was a one-sided paper. Thin paper. Which stated it was from a DEBT COLLECTOR!
Well. That was disturbing. We pay all our bills. WHEN WE GET THEM. Supposedly, this was a debt from an anesthesia group. I've never heard of it, but Googling showed that it has offices in several states, and one in St. Louis. Farmer H has had several surgeries over the years. We've gotten bills from doctors and radiologists and anesthetists. It's not unreasonable to think that this bill might be legitimate.
However, there was no date. No location. No doctor. No type of surgery. Just a Reference Number. And a total debt of $40.91.
Also, details that between June 1, 2026, and now, we were charged 0 interest and 0 fees. There were payments in the amount of 0. And adjustments in the amount of 0.
Also, this collection agency is giving us until August 27, 2026, to dispute all or part of the debt. If we write them, they must stop collection until they send us information that shows we owe the debt. We can include supporting documents. They also accept disputes electronically at a website.
At the bottom is a form that can be cut off (no perforation) to send back.
Check all that apply:
*************************************************************
I want to dispute because...
This is not my debt.
The amount is wrong.
Other (please describe on reverse or attach additional information)
I want you to send me the name and address of the original creditor.
I enclose this amount $ _____________.
Make checks payable to: [name of collection agency]
**************************************************************
It would be so easy to write a check for $40.91 and be done with it. HOWEVER... I don't know if we owe this amount or not. We never got any bills from any anesthesia group that we didn't pay. It would be odd that such a debt got turned over to collections without multiple attempts to notify us of the bill.
Also, we've had a couple notices this year that our medical information was breached. Maybe this is just a scammer trying to get money or personal information. A check would give them our bank account number.
I looked up the collection agency. They are not registered with the Better Business Bureau. Which AI says can be a red flag for scams.
Farmer H wants ME to call and try to find out more info. I say they probably won't talk to me, since his name is on the account. Then again, he would be more likely to give personal information than I would. So I guess I can give it a try. JUST to get the date, location, surgery, and doctor. Then we will know if it's actually something we might owe.
8 comments:
Do not call!!! Legitimate debt collectors are required by law to provide specific validation info. Like original creditor and the amount owed. Send a written dispute and request full debt validation within 30 days of receiving the notice. Also check your credit reports to see if a collection account actually appears there. Not showing the original creditor is a red flag. Ranee
Just google and you will find other information to help you sort this out. I know you are smart enough not to give out pertinent information. Please be cautious. Ranee
Rae,
The letter named the creditor, gave the amount of $40.91.
I already called, because Farmer H commanded it. I didn't talk to an actual person. More of the story coming up...
I wouldn't bother calling in case they can track your number somehow which is unlikely but still. I would reseal that letter in the original envelope, mark it as a scam and return to sender.
River,
I imagine they might get a phone number, but not know which account it belonged to. If we really owe $40.91, we want to pay it. It's just finding out if it's real that's the problem.
I would rip that envelope and bill into itty bitty pieces and toss it. You could just throw it away, but the ripping up part would be very satisfying
Perhaps you could get an idea if you check your credit report. Surely if it is legitimate, something would have been reported. If so, I would contact the source of the problem and raise holy “heck” for letting it get to this point without proper notification to you. If nothing is there I would assume it is a scam. Did you google the phone number to see if it shows up as legit. If there have been reports of scamming you may find posts about it.
Kathy,
Then I'd have to pick up the pieces! I'm not a good tosser.
Pudge450,
Supposedly they haven't put it on the credit report yet. They can't if you dispute the debt within two weeks of the collection notice.
I did look up the collection agency. Supposedly (they say) they have 25 years experience in medical collections. The BBB says they are not BBB Accredited, because of insufficient information. Yet shows a file opened June 2, 2022. Funny how a file was opened, but there's no information. I can't find any complaints or comments at all about the collection agency. Just the address and phone number.
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