Consumer complaint received 2016-05-13
Company: Midwest Recovery Systems
State: KY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
On XXXX/XXXX/XXXX : Notified of unexpected dip in credit. Credit Karma listed " collection '' as reason. I had no idea I had been sent to collections before I checked my credit score! I called the agency listed as " Midwest Recovery Systems, LLC '' to question the collection. I was told that on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX I received medical care from " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, '' a company associated with a local hospital. I requested information and hinted that I wanted to dispute. 
XXXX/XXXX/XXXX : I called my local hospital and doctor, both of which had no record of me being ordered or receiving care on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, let alone XXXX XXXX. I called " Midwest Recovery Systems, LLC '' to tell them that I wanted to file a dispute. The representative verified that I received service from " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX according to their records. I was told that the {$180.00} was what was left after insurance paid their part. He said that my only option to receive information, other than that from his business, would be to call " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' ... which just so happens to be bankrupt and without a valid phone number. I was told that I could file a dispute, and if my credit was still hurt, I could pay the {$180.00} during the process. After the dispute was settled, and if I was found correct, my {$180.00} would be returned to me. I was told the dispute process would take 60-90 days to be settled and that the process was started. 
XXXX/XXXX/XXXX : I called my insurance, who searched their archives for claims. They confirmed that they did not receive billing for any services in XXXX XXXX. I immediately called " Midwest Recovery Systems, LLC '' to see where we were in the dispute process. A week had passed since I thought the representative had filed the complaint. The rep 's boss answered my call. He stated that the dispute was never filed, since I was questioning receiving care 3 years ago. I told him that it was my impression ( as well as my mother and father who listened and recorded the phone call on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ) that the dispute was filed. The manager said that the rep. never filed the dispute and left a note that we might pay. The manager then clarified that we could not file and pay in hopes of being reimbursed after the dispute, which was new knowledge since the representative told us we could. The manager then said that the " date of service '' ( XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ) may not truly be the actual " date I received care, '' which is another inconsistency from what I was told during both phone calls on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX & XXXX/XXXX/XXXX. I alerted the manager to inconsistencies between my communication with the manager and what I had been told previously. 
Summary : The company never alerted me to being sent to collections ; I found out after my credit score was affected. I established communication with them first by calling them after seeing my score. I was lied to about the dispute process : the rep. told me it started and to wait 60-90 days. I called a week later ( 7 days into the 30 I had to file the dispute ) to find out it was never filed! I was lied to about the date of service. I feel like I was being coerced into paying since the rep. said that I could pay the {$180.00} while in the dispute process and have the possibility of being reimbursed if I am found to not be responsible for the debt ( which I later found out was a lie ). Had I never called on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX & waited the 60-90 days as told, I would have unconsciously admitted guilt and been responsible to pay. Had I paid the {$180.00} to help my credit during the dispute process ( in hopes of reimbursement ) I would have forfeited all money, since unlike what I was told on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, payment is admitting guilt. The inconsistencies among employers and communication with me, the client, is unfair business. Although the manager said the dispute process was officially started as of XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, I will mail a written notice to assure the process has started.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation