BRH wrote:
- quote -

Its not clear from your post whether you paid the bill or not, but the
first step is to pay the bill. Then set aside a few days and commence
to calling people and try to get this resolved. I would start with
calling Equifax and ask them what you need to do to get this off your
credit rating, and then do what they say. I imagine it will be a royal
pain in the butt, but if you remain obsessively focused on this, and
use the phrases "thats not acceptable, I need to speak with your
supervisor" and "I am tape recording this call" and "what is your name
and title" you will eventually get results.

Andy

You're (partially) missing the point of my question...

I have the $57 and would have gladly paid it, had I known about it. The
point is that as a result of their action (lien against my taxes) how
will this affect my credit rating? What can I do to "clear my name"
credit rating-wise?

Thanks!


herlihyboy wrote:
- quote -

BRH wrote:
- quote -

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably just pay it off if you have the
$57. You could contact them and try to have them PROVE that they
billed you, but I'm not sure what you have to stand on if it's your
word against theirs. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that
try to use the, "I never got a bill" excuse [not you in this case], so
I'm sure they are prepared for this response from debtors.

It doesn't sound like it's worth pursuing legally. If they put a lien
on your tax return to pay an old debt, it sounds like they believe you
were billed and never paid it. You would somehow have to prove
otherwise.


======================================= MODERATOR'S COMMENT:
Please trim the post to which you are responding. "Trim" means that except for a few lines to add context, the previous post is deleted.

Not sure how on-topic this is, but I hope someone here can provide some
guidance.

Last year, a local medical group affiliated with a state-run hospital,
failed to bill me for minor expenses incurred during office visits -- a
total of between $7 and $8 between the 3 bills. Since I was never
billed, I was unaware of the charges and never paid them. The next
thing I know is that they've placed a lien against my state income tax
refund for $57. Although I'm still waiting for the $50 that they now
owe me, that's not my main concern.

A few nights ago, I got an alert from Equifax that a new account has
been opened in my name, by this Hospital's Collections Department. I
have not incurred any additional expenses there for at least a year. In
fact, I've changed doctors so I no longer have anything to do with them.
I'm concerned that they either have another phantom bill for me, or
someone there is playing with my account.

How would you recommend I proceed in investigating/resolving this? This
is a state-run institution. How big an effect will the fact that this
outfit chose to put a lien on my taxes without ever billing me have on
my credit rating? Believe me, I would have paid the $7-$8 if I had
known about it! Until this, my credit rating has been excellent.

So, what steps do you recommend I take?

Thanks!