Medical bills...

[OliviaB]

So we just got a phone call from a random person claiming that we owe over $500 for my son's surgery...from FOUR years ago! We paid this off in full around the time of service so this totally surprised us. My husband asked the guy who he was with and we googled the name. They have no website and a zillion complaints. The guy claimed that they have already filed a negative report on our credit and that they will come after us for the money. We aren't easily intimidated so my husband just told him to prove the debt was valid by sending us an invoice that we can verify. The guy hung up on him. Do you guys think this is legit or a scam? Any idea if they can even claim a debt that is so old?? My husband is out of work for 6 more months from his knee surgery so a surprise medical bill is not what we need right now...

 

[harveyspecter]

scam, scam, scam, scam. I would program my phone to reject calls from this person. A valid collection will need to be communicated by mail 1st. If that gets ignored, then phone calls will follow.

No collection will start with a phone call 1st.

 

[OliviaB]

That's what we figured...it's just creepy how they knew my son's name, birthday, surgery date, etc. We are checking our credit report and looking into any fraud. UGH.

 

[Goob14]

My opinion...Total scam! No worries until documentation comes to your address and the bill will be itemized, with a letter head, and contact information. If you have proof showing your payment in full, you can always call your local police department (not 911) and make a claim. Tell them what was said on the phone call, the number if you guys have it, and just make them aware of it.

Someone called my friend's grandmother claiming that it was her grandson in Mexico, he got stopped at a check point, and is being held in jail until someone sends the money. They knew the grandmother's name and my friend's name. BUT this sharp cookie said, "if this is really you, when is your birthday?" CLICK. End of story. I wouldn't be worried but totally creepy what people will resort to. Scaring people into giving up some cash. Sad.

 

[OliviaB]

My opinion...Total scam! No worries until documentation comes to your address and the bill will be itemized, with a letter head, and contact information. If you have proof showing your payment in full, you can always call your local police department (not 911) and make a claim. Tell them what was said on the phone call, the number if you guys have it, and just make them aware of it.

Someone called my friend's grandmother claiming that it was her grandson in Mexico, he got stopped at a check point, and is being held in jail until someone sends the money. They knew the grandmother's name and my friend's name. BUT this sharp cookie said, "if this is really you, when is your birthday?" CLICK. End of story. I wouldn't be worried but totally creepy what people will resort to. Scaring people into giving up some cash. Sad.

My husband is a police officer and told the guy that when he was getting threatening. Soon after that he hung up We asked for an invoice to be mailed to us to prove it's legit...I'm not holding my breath for that to happen. We blocked the number.

 

[harveyspecter]

That's what we figured...it's just creepy how they knew my son's name, birthday, surgery date, etc. We are checking our credit report and looking into any fraud. UGH.

Unfortunately, criminals are getting crafty these days and they are getting and accessing information on the cheap so you have to be proactive and check on your credit report often. They have access to hospital records, they know when you visited the doctor, had your surgery and so on.

My insurance company - Anthem Blue Cross - just mailed me a letter notifying me that my personal information have been compromised so in return they are offerring a credit monitoring service free of charge.
So scary.

 

[ddnene]

SCAM CITY!!! People in this area are getting supposed calls from the IRS demanding credit card numbers oner the phone to pay taxes overdue… it's all BS!!! Next time they call tell them you are having the number traced…

 

[OliviaB]

We checked our credit report and sure enough it's been compromised We called the medical group that originally did the surgery and they don't know anything about the charges. I swear I hate criminals...

 

[harveyspecter]

SCAM CITY!!! People in this area are getting supposed calls from the IRS demanding credit card numbers oner the phone to pay taxes overdue… it's all BS!!! Next time they call tell them you are having the number traced…

tracing the number helps but unfortunately will not do you any good getting them arrested. They are using VOIP phone like OOMA or magic jack attached to a laptop computer outside of the U.S. Reason they are getting too bold is because they know they are not going to get caught. And if they did, the local government will not bother them. In addition, they know their country does not have any extradition treaties with the US. so very difficult to prosecute. Part of globalization I guess.

 

[OliviaB]

Soooo frustrating...our credit is completely jacked up. There were all sorts of inquiries and things that we have no idea about. We've disputed it all and will talk to an attorney to have it fixed but it's crazy how quickly they can screw up your life. I need a new car this year so this could really affect things if we can't get it all removed quickly Not to mention the fact that some criminal knows private info about my baby...that totally pisses me off.

 

[2bulldogsstuff]

Definitely a scam. Been getting those calls lately. They would leave a voicemail but will never say the name who they calling for.

 

[RiiSi]

I was just about to reply that take the matter to the police, but looks like you all ready have...

My husband is a police officer and told the guy that when he was getting threatening. Soon after that he hung up We asked for an invoice to be mailed to us to prove it's legit...I'm not holding my breath for that to happen. We blocked the number.