Consumer complaint received 2017-02-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CT
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report
Sub-issue: Account status

Complaint:
I was contacted once by an associate ( XXXX ) at " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' office by a voicemail on XXXX XXXX, XXXX about an outstanding balance from an appointment I had at their office on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. He stated that I needed to contact him immediately because the account would go into a collection in 10 days. ( I still have records of this voicemail ). I returned the call and the associate at the office informed me that I had an outstanding bill, and I informed him that I was under my XXXX medical insurance through " XXXX XXXX '', which " XXXX XXXX '' office informed me that they accepted when I set up my appointment via telephone, so this outstanding bill was news to me. The associate proceeded to tell me that if I can email him a copy of my insurance card then he would take care of it and that the cost of the appointment should be covered under my health insurance. When on the phone with the associate I asked him how would I know if the account would be fully covered by the insurance and not go into collections. He told me that under my health care plan by XXXX XXXX, it should be covered. He said if there were any other problems and if he needed any other information from me then he would contact me. I sent him my email on XXXX XXXX, XXXX with a copy of my insurance card. I was unaware of this outstanding bill because when I had the appointment on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I could not proceed with the procedure without paying the initial {$130.00} consultation fee ahead of the procedure fee which the insurance did not pay for and, I, in turn, paid for the cost of the procedure myself which was {$250.00} ; however, XXXX XXXX was the first time I was being contacted about an unpaid bill. After I sent the email with a copy of my health insurance card I never received an email or call from the associate, therefore ; I assumed that everything was taken care of. I was working at a XXXX at the time and had very limited access to phone and the internet so I was unable to follow up with the associate myself ; however, I still did not receive a follow-up phone call or email from the associate. 

This bill is new to me and is an error on the part of the medical office and " XXXX XXXX ''. As I checked my credit score on XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I see that my credit score provided by Equifax has dropped by XXXX points. As a look further to inquire why this happened I see a report indicating that I have an account that has gone into collection, - the debt collector is " CREDITOR CLAIMS OF XXXX XXXX '' and the original creditor is " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' for the amount of {$130.00}. This is the first time I am finding out that the account has gone into collections as I had not been informed about it since my communication with the associate ( XXXX ) from XXXX XXXX 's office back in XXXX XXXX which I was given the impression was no longer an issue and taken care of back in XXXX XXXX following me providing them with an email of my health insurance card.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation