- Report: #241284
Complaint Review: Midland Credit Management - MCM - San Diego California
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Midland Credit Management - MCM
8875 Aero Drive Suite 200 San Diego, 92123 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
858-560-2600
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Midland Credit Management - MCM - Encore Capital Group Zombie Debt Collectors Dig Up Old Disputed Charges and Harass You ripoff San Diego California
I disputed a medical bill in 2000 because the emergency room billed the wrong insurance company. I called, faxed and wrote them letters including my insurance card to try to get them to correct their error but they never responded. They never answered the phone when I called, I just left message after message only to get another invoice. My actual insurance company would not process it because the bill was made out to a different insurance company and some billing codes were missing.
I finally wrote them a certified letter in late 2000 advising them that because they did not respond to my repeated requests to correct the issues, I would not be paying the bill. Months later a collection agency called me and I sent them all of my documentation. They agreed with me that the creditor had not followed up and were actually somewhat helpful, but by then my insurance company's billing deadline had expired. I advised them at this time that I will not pay the invoice due to the hassles and time the creditor caused me to waste.
Over 6 years later, I start getting collection letters again. I wrote the agency summarizing the above situation and asked them to cease contacting me which they did. 6 months later I get a letter from another agency and repeated the above steps.
Finally MCM Midland Credit Management writes me to advise that they are collecting on this debt and that I need to pay or they will start calling my home and office. I wrote them the cease letter, but they ignored it. Finally they managed to get my unlisted number and started calling my wife daily (she works at home, I commute). My wife explained the situation and they said "We don't care, this isn't going away". After another letter threatening my credit (current 785 score) I called them and reminded them that they were violating the fair debt collection law by harassing me after I wrote them to cease. They claimed they didn't get my letter and would note it as a dispute. I checked my credit and they had reported this as a new debt that is seriously delinquent and damaged my credit score. I contacted Experian and filed an online dispute and they removed the negative marks once I showed them that they falsely listed it as new debt after the statute of limitations expired. I also consulted an attorney and filed a complaint with the FTC. The attorney wanted to go after them but I am really too busy, and they have stopped harassing me. Hopefully this will not start over again when the next agency buys this. Anyway, you CAN fight them and win just document yourself and know your rights.
Mike
Mesquite, Texas
U.S.A.
I finally wrote them a certified letter in late 2000 advising them that because they did not respond to my repeated requests to correct the issues, I would not be paying the bill. Months later a collection agency called me and I sent them all of my documentation. They agreed with me that the creditor had not followed up and were actually somewhat helpful, but by then my insurance company's billing deadline had expired. I advised them at this time that I will not pay the invoice due to the hassles and time the creditor caused me to waste.
Over 6 years later, I start getting collection letters again. I wrote the agency summarizing the above situation and asked them to cease contacting me which they did. 6 months later I get a letter from another agency and repeated the above steps.
Finally MCM Midland Credit Management writes me to advise that they are collecting on this debt and that I need to pay or they will start calling my home and office. I wrote them the cease letter, but they ignored it. Finally they managed to get my unlisted number and started calling my wife daily (she works at home, I commute). My wife explained the situation and they said "We don't care, this isn't going away". After another letter threatening my credit (current 785 score) I called them and reminded them that they were violating the fair debt collection law by harassing me after I wrote them to cease. They claimed they didn't get my letter and would note it as a dispute. I checked my credit and they had reported this as a new debt that is seriously delinquent and damaged my credit score. I contacted Experian and filed an online dispute and they removed the negative marks once I showed them that they falsely listed it as new debt after the statute of limitations expired. I also consulted an attorney and filed a complaint with the FTC. The attorney wanted to go after them but I am really too busy, and they have stopped harassing me. Hopefully this will not start over again when the next agency buys this. Anyway, you CAN fight them and win just document yourself and know your rights.
Mike
Mesquite, Texas
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Nikki
Coconut Creek,Florida,
U.S.A.
Maybe this will help.
#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, March 30, 2007
About 10 years ago I had a problem with a doctor's office who did not bill my insurance within the correct time frame, then tried to bill me instead. I called my insurance company who told me if a medical entity does not bill the insurance company within the time frame allowed by law, and they are aware of the correct insurance company, they are not allowed, by law, to bill you directly. They have given up their chance to get the money by not billing your insurance company. I called the doctor's office and told them of this law. They never bothered me again. Call your insurance company to see if they know of this law, and what the statute is. A medical entity can only bill you if their insurance claim is denied. They cannot bill you because they have poor billing practices and miss the deadline. I think the deadline is 6 months.
Mike
Mesquite,Texas,
U.S.A.
To Jan from Mike re: Midland Credit Management
#3Author of original report
Fri, March 30, 2007
As Jan said I should have let my attorney go after these people. They do this because it's lucrative and most people like me don't bother to go after them. In my case, the credit bureau sided with me and removed any reference to them. It is like it never happened. One thing I will do better in the future is to document everything I receive. In this case, I did not keep the original letter or my response, since this had never been pursued like this. I will keep everything now and recommend that anyone dealing with collection agencies do the same. I am more angry with the hospital I went to years ago for putting me through this. I pay my bills and have excellent credit. I also made every effort to resolve THEIR error, and they ignored me and eventually sent me to collections. Anyway I hope my experience will help others deal with issues like this.
J
Lakewood,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Mark
#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 29, 2007
Not to be an A@@ here, but you should make the time, this will only be sold to another collection agency and you will have to keep doing this over and over again. If they reported this to the credit bureau, incorrectly the damage is done, and some of your APR may start to go up because of this. Jan, Good Luck, Let us know how it worked out for you.
Jan
Columbia,Mississippi,
U.S.A.
Dealing with Midland for awhile...
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, March 29, 2007
WOW! Midland Credit Management, Midland Funding LLV have really got going with their dragging up old debt and suing. In my case the are trying to sue the wrong person for the debt they swore on a affidavit they had all the information to prove. Also, interesting information on Bud Hibbs web site about this company. I had been sent a letter which I thought was for the trial date April 3 but found out it was to put the case on the docket. I found out that (Midland's attorney) had called the court clerk thinking it was the trial, too, and weren't ready to go to trial...so maybe these duds have realized they have made a mistake. J and Steve if you read this post I wanted to let you know that I have an attorney that is handling the Apr 3 court date. He is going to represent me in a lawsuit against them....so this is a great relief after all these month of dealing with it.. he said from now on he would handle it all!!!!now it is wait and see. Sure is a relief as I was trying to figure how to file for a dismissal. Thanks again guys. Keep you updated.
