My situation with collection agencies

[scorch]

OK, so right now I have 4 accounts in collections. Most of these were from 3 or 4 years ago. I wasn't able to pay these amounts at the time and the reason why I never paid is because no one was able to get a hold of me as I have moved from state to state, city to city etc.

All of which are medical related. A while back, nearly 6 weeks ago, I settled with a collection agency thinking it would improve my credit. They told me they would take it off my report (over the phone), but I'm a little leary as to whether they will or not. I have pretty much just been waiting this one out to see what they'll do. What do you think?

Another 2 accounts were from the same hospital. When I called the coolection agency a while back about them, they had one of the two in their system, but the other was actually taken off my credit report and returned to the hospital. The hospital said they did that because the collection agency wasn't doing anything with it and they were probably going to sell it to another agency. I actually negotied with the hospital too and they also said they would take the two accounts off my credit report if I paid them with a 35% discount. They even offered me a loan through their colorado credit union company without a credit check to get it taken care of. Good idea?

The fourth account is just idle right now. I do appreciate any advice. Thank you.

[chane]

Originally Posted by scorch

OK, so right now I have 4 accounts in collections. Most of these were from 3 or 4 years ago. I wasn't able to pay these amounts at the time and the reason why I never paid is because no one was able to get a hold of me as I have moved from state to state, city to city etc.

All of which are medical related. A while back, nearly 6 weeks ago, I settled with a collection agency thinking it would improve my credit. They told me they would take it off my report (over the phone), but I'm a little leary as to whether they will or not. I have pretty much just been waiting this one out to see what they'll do. What do you think?

Another 2 accounts were from the same hospital. When I called the coolection agency a while back about them, they had one of the two in their system, but the other was actually taken off my credit report and returned to the hospital. The hospital said they did that because the collection agency wasn't doing anything with it and they were probably going to sell it to another agency. I actually negotied with the hospital too and they also said they would take the two accounts off my credit report if I paid them with a 35% discount. They even offered me a loan through their colorado credit union company without a credit check to get it taken care of. Good idea?

The fourth account is just idle right now. I do appreciate any advice. Thank you.

The first one will probably not take it off. You will be lucky if they do.

The next two, make sure you get in writing, that sounds like a great deal!

[scorch]

Thank you, chane! Great... well the person I settled with gave me his direct line, maybe I can call back to see what's up? Why wouldn't they do it? How hard can it be? If they don't take it off, I'll be on the phone with my bank disputing the transaction as I haven't received the services requested. They've actually been pretty cool about stuff like that. I've been with them for a good 2 years.

About the other two, I was beginning to think I can have them deleted by disputing them with the CRA's. The address the hospital probably has on file for me is old, has been disputed with the CRA's and will be removed. Wouldn't that work?

Thanks again.

[scorch]

.... Seriously, why wouldn't they take it off? Are they lazy or does it benefit them not to do it?

[scorch]

OK, here's an update. I just received a letter from Experian. When I finally received a response from them regarding why I thought my old addresses were incorrect, it looked like they were investigating a collection account. The letter I receieved today said that it was deleted. This is the account the original creditor (the hospital) said they removed due to innactivity from the CA.

Is there a chance it could be put back on?

The CA that I settled with shows no new activity, "paid", nothing. It is
still on the credit report. Heck, I settled May 30th. How long would it take for them to delete it if they were going to?

Also, from disputing the old addresses with TransUnion, I have not received a response at all. I called them and they said something was deleted. Hopefully I get their response tomorrow as it would have been four days since it was mailed out.

Wait a minute. Tomorrow's Sunday and TransUnion won't be taking calls till Monday.

[chane]

Originally Posted by scorch

OK, here's an update. I just received a letter from Experian. When I finally received a response from them regarding why I thought my old addresses were incorrect, it looked like they were investigating a collection account. The letter I receieved today said that it was deleted. This is the account the original creditor (the hospital) said they removed due to innactivity from the CA.

Is there a chance it could be put back on?

The CA that I settled with shows no new activity, "paid", nothing. It is
still on the credit report. Heck, I settled May 30th. How long would it take for them to delete it if they were going to?

Also, from disputing the old addresses with TransUnion, I have not received a response at all. I called them and they said something was deleted. Hopefully I get their response tomorrow as it would have been four days since it was mailed out.

Wait a minute. Tomorrow's Sunday and TransUnion won't be taking calls till Monday.

Be patient! They have 30-45 days to act. If you contact them within that time (about anything), you extend their investigation time by 30-45 more days. Don't even call them until the 45 days it up - it can give them reason to extend their investigation.

[scorch]

Well they said they sent it the day before I called them.

What about the collection account that was deleted?

[chane]

Originally Posted by scorch

Well they said they sent it the day before I called them.

What about the collection account that was deleted?

Did you dispute it or just pay it? Paying it won't usually get it removed. It will be updated to paid, which is a little better, but still negative.

[scorch]

Hello, Chane. No I didn't dispute it nor did I pay them. The hospital recalled it and I think they were going to give it to another CA.

I just received my updated report from Transunion and get this, that CA that I settled with actually deleted the adverse account! If I could take a picture and upload it, I would love to. I guess I was lucky. ; )

Also, Transunion is somehow reporting my phone number. : / Oh, and the old addresses were deleted finally.

[chane]

Originally Posted by scorch

Hello, Chane. No I didn't dispute it nor did I pay them. The hospital recalled it and I think they were going to give it to another CA.

I just received my updated report from Transunion and get this, that CA that I settled with actually deleted the adverse account! If I could take a picture and upload it, I would love to. I guess I was lucky. ; )

Also, Transunion is somehow reporting my phone number. : / Oh, and the old addresses were deleted finally.

If you can call the hospital before they send it to another CA and set up a payment plan that would be great. Hospital's don't report. A new CA will. Is that a possibility for you?