Consumer complaint received 2017-09-12
Company: Harris & Harris, Ltd.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
I received a bill around the end of XXXX or XXXX from XXXX Hospital I  contacted the billing depart they requested I set up a payment plan of {$91.00} I explained I was still out of work and was not able to commit to a payment plan for that amount at this time but once I was able to go back to work I would be able to make payments. The girl I spoke to explained this was only the first statement and until I received a statement marked urgent action requested I would not be in jeopardy of going to collection but be sure to make payments at that time or it would be turned over to a collection agency. I received a bill dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX so I must have actually got it by mail after that date, this said payment reminder, still being out of work and based on prior conversation I did nothing. 
I received a 3rd bill from XXXX Hospital paper dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX so I received it sometime after that, this stated 60 day notice. Now I do n't remember the exact date I returned to work but I did return to work somewhere around this time as i had finally got 1 paycheck I called in a payment by phone automated service on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX for {$66.00} toward the full balance due of {$2200.00}. My 4th bill dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX which showed the balance of {$2100.00} ( so I know they received and applied my prior payment ) this bill stated urgent action required on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX I called the wait time was long I was at work then I was disconnected I called back long wait I was unable to hold that long ( as I was on work time I work XXXX to XXXX there hours XXXX to XXXX making it difficult to speak to a live person ) so I made a payment on the automated system of {$140.00}. On XXXX XXXX XXXX I receive a call at work from someone stating they are a collection agency I figure it 's a wrong number and hang up, only simultaneously there is a call on my cell phone with a message with a number to call no info so I call back and this guy tells me he is calling from a collection agency XXXX XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX medical center for {$2000.00} I told him I have been paying them and I would have to call back since I was at work I did not have paperwork, and requested they not call my work! Friday XXXX XXXX we were let out of work early due to the impending hurricane so I was able to call back and they got the same guy I think it was XXXX? Anyway he said I could set up a payment plan with him, I said I wanted to talk to the hospital they should not have sent my account to collection I was making payments he said ok. Due to the Hurricane I finally called the hospital XXXX XXXX, XXXX I spoke to one or 2 people and was told I had to deal with the collection agency now. I called the  collection agency back tried to explain the situation they tell me account is on hold but I explain Hospital says I have to pay them so they say yes they can set a payment plan but if the {$2000.00} is not paid in full by XXXX XXXX XXXX it will be reported to the credit bureau and affect my credit report I asked why if I agree to regular payments ... .. That 's their policy I can sell assets to pay them or use a credit card, I explain I have no assets to sell and do n't have that available on my credit card. Now I 'm quite upset why should I worry how much I pay if they report me to credit report anyway? 
Frustrated by this whole thing I call back the hospital angry asking why I was sent to collections asked for supervisor I believe it was XXXX she tells me they are within there 're rights they did due diligence she reviewed notes since I did not set up a payment plan they sent it to collection WHAT? I was making monthly payments 2 consecutive months it was noted in there files I could n't make payments till I returned to work and I made 2 payments she said yes we received them and they were subtracted from the total sent to collection. I asked when it was sent she said XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I said so you received my payment for {$140.00} on XXXX XXXX th more then the original requested amount of {$91.00} and sent me to collection even though I was now making concurrent payments. She again said well you did not call and set up a payment plan, I said your bill does not state unless I verbally set up a payment plan I will go to collection!!!!! It gives options one being the automated service by phone, if you see I am making payments but I need a payment plan why did n't someone call me? She stated I had a conversation in XXXX and was told I needed to set up a payment plan, then she says you just stated You received the urgent action requested notice and did n't call and set up a payment plan .... so i should have set up a payment plan. 
I explained the girl in XXXX was not clear that I had to have a payment plan set up on file only that I needed to make the payments and the bill does not say I have to have a payment plan. She stated they were well within there rights they did there due dilagence I asked to hear a recorded statement that if I did not call back and set up a payment plan on file it would be sent to collection. She said she could not share that with me and told me to speak with the the collection agency and basically hung up. 
I called the collection agency and made a {$20.00} payment in good faith till I can hopefully resolve this unfair treatment.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation