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Posted on 10/05/2011 1:47:13 PM PDT by Racehorse
For two or three years I've reported to FreeRepublic my ongoing battle with collection agencies trying to collect from me medical/emergency bills from the San Antonio Baptist Hospital System and their emergency contracted billing services . . . how don't they understand, I'm not the Racehorse they're looking for?
The problem for them is I am a retired military guy who only uses military services provided by Wilford Hall Medical Center. These collection agencies apparently shop and sell debts like mortgage companies.
In my next post I'll provide the name and content of the letter sent to me for a bill totally about $2000.
Is there a Free Republic connected lawyer willing to take this issue to Court, pro bono? If this is happening to me, debt collectors are doing it, carte blanche, to others.
For the record. My wife and I are debt free.
R.
I had a collector attach my bank accounts one time. They had the wrong guy and didn’t check out the names or SS number. I talked to my attorney and he wrote them a letter. He told them that unless they replace my bank accounts within 24 hours, he would file suit for in excess of $10,000.00, plus they had to pay me $2,000.00 for my trouble. The collection agency responded so fast it was scary....with check in hand.
If they are after you, and you ‘aren’t the guy’, encourage them to take you to court. You’ll win! At the same time, counter sue them for any attorney’s fees and punitive damages.
Go on post and see JAG, they may be able to assist.
If you are not the person in debt go to your State Attorney General or sue then into oblivion.
Legally they cannot harass you for someone else’s bill.
This is easy. Send them a letter, return receipt requested, to the head of this agency and inform them that you are not the person they are trying to collect from and that if they do not cease and desist you will retain a lawyer and sue them for illegal harassment, at least $1000 for every instance of harassment.
Collection Agencies: The bottom of the scum bucket... Fight them all you can. Punitive damages and all!
Have you tried Lackland AFB’s Legal Assistance office? You should be able to get one of the attorneys there to make a phone call or write a letter on your behalf - at no cost to you.
Collection agencies, politicians, used car dealers, and roofers are all living in the ooze and to bottom of the ocean with the fish sh#t.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/ManageDebt/SleazyNewDebtCollectorTactics.aspx
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/ManageDebt/SleazyNewDebtCollectorTactics.aspx
I know you can download cease and desist letters for free off the internet, plus our TX Attorny General, Greg Abbott has been on tv, and radio saying if people are harassed by these kinds of folks to call his office.
San Antonio Baptist Hospital System is terrible. I would never use them again.
Sorry you’re having issues and I am not shocked— they really are the pits!
Have you pulled a copy of your credit report to see what they may have reported and why they are pursuing you?
If they have messed with your credit you got a legal case for damages. If someone has stolen your identity you need to know.
I got some bogus medical bills because some clerk typed in the wrong digit on a SSN and TRICARE kicked back the claim.
Just took a phone call to fix it.
Don't give in to these rapscallions. Many are affiliates of organized crime, especially if from the NW USA. FBI has a special unit investigating some of these thugs.
In one case-CAMCO-80% of the $ collected was not even owed by the people. They simply caved. Many were elderly/infirm. It's what these bastards are looking for. In my case, they really found out what a real SOB is...
You don’t need a lawyer for a small claim. bIf your proof is good, you will win.
I ended it with a registered letter, return receipt (green postcard), to the collection agency. I simply stated:
You'll get bonus points if you dig up a citation to the specific state law that prohibits harassment. In Texas, it's here:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/docs/PE/htm/PE.42.htm
See Section 42.07.
I never heard from them again, and they didn't sell it off to another collection agency, either.
We were hassled by an agency in Virginia for about six months. Legally they are careful. For example they cannot call you after 9pm...sooooo, we would get calls at 8:58 pm. It turns out they had the wrong name (someone else in Florida, where we live, who has the same name as my wife).
I contacted them several times and tried to explain. Their answer was always “we are sorry and this is a case of mis-identification and we will take your number off.” The next month the calls (several per day) would start up again.
I finally got in touch with the state AG’s offices in Virginia (and Florida) and lodged a complaint.
The calls stopped immediately.
AAAaaauggghh!
I’m having a senior moment here.
There is a Freeper - attorney - lives in San Antonio - Retired JAG officer...
His FReep name has ...JAG.... (in the screen name somewhere)
He posts very often.
Anyway. If you or someone else can think of who I mean - ping him.
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