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Collections Law/Past due dental bill
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Question
Recently I applied for credit to buy a car and was astounded to find out I was denied. When I received the credit report I found that 7 months ago, my wife had given my SS number on a dental visit for my daughter. For one reason or another, our insurance didn't cover the bill and the dental office immediatley reported it to collections.
First of all, there wasn't even enough time given to pay the bill, though on my credit report it reads the term was 1 month - I never received a letter stating money was owed.
Secondly, I never approved/signed anything stating I was going to be financially responsible and I still paid the bill.
As soon as I found out my wife owed this money, I paid it. Unfortunatley it was 7 months after the fact and now shows a horrible "KD" for 6 months on MY credit report.
Is it possible to get this off my credit report considering I did not approve it? Keep in mind, I don't want to get my wife in trouble - she should not have used my SS number but I don't want her going to jail.
You may dispute this debt with the credit bureaus. They must verify the debt and that your signature appears on the account. However, some states make you obligated as a parent to pay the bill and can report it at any time once the account is considered late.
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Answers by Expert:
Michael Brotherton
Expertise
Consumer/Debtor Rights Advocate. Mike Brotherton is a negotiator with over 30 years experience in consumer lending and collections. Mike has 30 years in the credit and collections industry as a former loan officer, debt collector and manager of two finance companies over several years. Mike is well versed in Loss Mitigation practices and the legal collection process. He has helped literally thousands of people over many years overcome serious financial problems such as foreclosure, creditor lawsuits and abuse by debt collectors. For more information about resolving your "financial emergency" visit www.financialemergency.com. FinancialEmergency.com is a consumer web site which actively promotes Fair Debt Collection Practices and other consumer protection laws. We teach DEBTOR RIGHTS and enforcement of those rights. The more informed you are of your rights and the credit collections practices of creditors the more peace you can have dealing with your FINANCIAL EMERGENCY. Most financial problems are fairly common and as such have some very common solutions. The key is understanding your rights in the collection process and how to enforce them if need be. Primary business- Debtor Rights Advocacy and Debt Mitigation relating to foreclosure, creditor lawsuits, and other serious financial problems. www.financialemergency.com (copy and paste in browser).
Experience
Over 40 years combined experience negotiating disputes and resolving financial issues related to consumer debt, corporate issues and mortgage modifications.
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