Expert: Jason Barnette, Esq. - 1/21/2010

Question
Hello,

I am a recent college graduate who is trying to get a car loan.  My only credit history should have been school loans as I do not have any credit cards.  After I was turned down several times, I checked my credit report to find a collection listed.

The collection is less than 100 dollars for a medical bill that was incurred 5 years ago.  I was still under my parent's insurance at that time and I paid the necessary copay for the visit.  From that point on, I received no communication (nor did my parents) from the doctor's office or the collections agency regarding this charge.

I have discussed this with my parents, and my dad believes he received a bill for a specialist that I saw on that visit--which he paid.  I have called the doctor's office and they state that the insurance company did not cover all of what was done at that visit.  I was not informed at the visit that my insurance would not cover this so I was not waiting for a bill from them.

My parents are verifying the claim with our old insurance company, as yet we have not heard back.  Can I do anything about getting it off my credit report because there was ZERO communication over the past 5 years.  Had I received a bill, it would have been paid.

Please advise to the best course of action.

Thank you.

Answer
Jesse:

Your best course of action is to first dispute the collection tradeline with the credit reporting agencies.  Being as old as it is, it well may be deleted.  If it is verified, dispute it once more and in addition, request validation from the debt collector directly (in writing).

Jason Barnette
Barnette Law Offices, LLC
1800 Hayes Street; Suite 122
Nashville, TN 37203
615-585-2245
http://www.barnettelawoffices.com