Cherie T.
Tampa,#2Author of original report
Mon, March 17, 2008
Thank you Steve for your input. This goes to show you how I DO pay my bills, and had never experienced that type of phone call before. He kept hitting redial and upsetting me. When I called his office to speak to the owner or a VP, the girl at the front desk kept forwarding him the phone. He would laugh and say, you wont get past me. Pay up! I felt really intimidated by his threats. I have been in management for years, never did I feel nor would make someone feel like that, even if they were a loser. There are ways to get people to do things, even assertively, but never by intimidation, threat, or without ethics. To your point. I didnt know this, and now I do! I am dealing with the dental co now, in writing. Will do everything in writing on a go forward. thanks!
Steve
Bradenton,#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, March 17, 2008
Cheri, First of all, there is no category in your credit report for "refusal to pay". This bonehead statement is just made for one purpose, INTIMIDATION. You can "refuse to pay" all day long, and it makes no difference to anything. It does not affect your legal rights in any way. This is exactly why you NEVER speak to any third party debt collector on the phone! STAY OFF THE PHONE!! Always get it in writing.
Faron
Houston,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, March 12, 2008
Then you would find out what the dentist collected from the insurance claim and how much you should pay. If your dental plan works like most plans, dentist tend to charge much more than they are allowed to, by contract. The insurance will pay what they term reasonable and then tell you what you should have to pay. if this bill is much more than the claim you should pay then yo have a legal cause of action against the dentist.
Cherie T.
Tampa,#5Author of original report
Tue, March 11, 2008
From my efforts of the original rip off report: I filed with the FCC, BBB, (3) credit bureaus, Fl dept of Financial services, State attorney office, FL bar assoc, Federal Trade Commission Federal communications commission, Owners & VP of the collections co where Mr. Bill Williams worked at Fl first FIn Grp and sent the original letter of complaint and intent to the dental office. One thing I noticed is, if the consumer lets the right people who can help know the issue they can help, a lot of people complain of situations and dont follow through. I did. Mr. Williams is no longer with the company. The VP asked that I respond to him, I am dealing with dental office directly. thanks for input. I am really glad ripoff.com is around helped me alot figure out the scams and gave great information. C -
Will Penny
Tampa,#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 11, 2008
Not sure if its true or not, you know how rumors go, I heard threw some friends at a local pub , half his office quit because they found out the owner was stealing millions of dollars every month by not paying clients. I was told the owner is just trying to switch the company name's now in hopes of evading the law. From what was said, is sounded like they turned the information over to the state of florida who is going to launch an investigation. But I guess thats what happens when you treat your employee's like crap.
Tim
Valparaiso,#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, February 14, 2008
I'm not sure if you've stated any legal violations although, in some cases, repeaeted calls in the same day can be an FDCPA violation. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this. The issue that I see is that you are going about this the wrong way. The collection agency is just trying to collect on the account that was transferred to them by the dentist. They are permitted to rely on the statements of their client (the dentist's office) unless and until they are presented with evidence showing that the debt is inaccurate. So here are your options: 1) you can try to deal with the dentist's office and explain why the debt is inaccurate to them, and demand that they modify their claim with the collection agency; and/or 2) you can file a validation request with the collection agency. I would recommend doing both. Filing a validation request with the collection agency will at least force them to produce an invoice. Discussing the matter with the dentist's office should, theoretically, clear up any inaccuracies. FYI, if the dentist's office is trying to collect for more than they are due, you may have a claim against them for libel. Further, if the collection agency reports the debt inaccurately, with knowledge of the inaccuracy, such is a violation of the FDCPA, the FCRA, and probably your state's defamation laws. The validation request to the collection agency requires that you send a WRITTEN demand that they produce evidence showing that you actually owe the debt. A demand over the phone is inadequate. You also have a limited amount of time before they have to comply with such a request, so be sure to do this ASAP. Best of luck and, if you have any questions, file an update.