Can a debt collector deny a dispute, if the debt that occured happend when the person was a minor at the time?

I have a medical bill that has been sent to collections in my name? On the date that I was hospitalized I was a minor. I've called the collection agency and I explained the situation, and requested to dispute the charge. They asked for my parents information...the only thing is I don't know there information. I don't even have a relationship with my parents. Can they still continue to keep this charge on my credit? What can I do?

beetle_bug

try disputing it with the credit reporting agencies. It's a bit of a headache, but you can go to all three sites and view your credit report once a year for free. There is a section to dispute negative credit entries on all of the sites. In the dispute section simply type: Please provide documentation proving that this information is accurate or delete this damaging data immediately. Most of the time the credit reporting agencies won't be able to obtain all of the documentation legally required, so they'll just delete it. Problem solved.

stormwarnfm

I've never heard of a minor being charged a hospital bill.

Regardless, the bill isn't really disputable unless your parents had insurance that they did not bill.

If you were "on your own" or not on their insurance, unfortunately, the bill is yours, minor or not, and you will owe it.

Being it's gone to a debt collector, see if they will accept 1/4 of the balance in payments as a settlement offer.

In this economy, they'd probably rather see 1/4 of it than nothing.

Keep in mind, of all debts out there, hospitals are the most notorious for suing people...so don't let it slide...because next thing you know, you will be sued and they'll take 25% of your paycheck every paycheck until it is paid, plus court costs.

Rico

I would talk to a Lawyer just to make sure.

Charlie79

I went bankrupt in 04, and before the paperwork was prepared, I pulled my credit report to make sure I had 100% of all my debts listed. Good thing, because my hospital bill from when I was 11yrs old (tonsil removal) showed up. I claimed it on the bankruptcy, because I had no intention on paying it, so no big deal on my end...but If I were you, I would consult a financial advisor or lawyer of some sort. I filed when I was 27....16 years after the medical procedure and it was still weighing down my credit score.

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