Consumer complaint received 2022-09-12
Company: State Collection Service, Inc.
State: WI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
Between XXXX we had bills for our daughter XXXX ( especially for XX/XX/XXXX ) due to a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  We were on several payment plans ( for her bills as well as my wife 's bills for XXXXXXXX XXXXt ) and were very careful to pay them all off, fulfilling all our billing obligations. 
Imagine our shock when, on XX/XX/XXXX we received a bill for {$470.00} from the XXXX XXXX XXXX WI. The bill was dated XX/XX/XXXX and had no explanation other than " XXXX XXXX  and had printed in red " PAY IMMEDIATELY '' and " OVERDUE. '' I called the XXXX XXXX immediately to find out 1 ) What was this bill for specifically and 2 ) Why would we just receive it now, XXXX years later? I was told they would pull the records and send an itemized bill. That was on XX/XX/XXXX. In XXXX I called again and was told that they requested it from the XXXX XXXX, hadnt received it, but promised again to send it. *The very next day, we got a letter from State Collection Service letting us know we were in collections! HOW could they send us to collections when we simply asked for proof of the bill, why we're receiving it NOW, which is a patient 's right! I called State Collection immediately, explained that we are waiting for an itemized bill! I explained that this is an open case and our credit should not be in jeopardy because we asked for proof of this XXXX old bill ( again, we paid all previous bills and met all obligations. If we hadn't, we would have been sent to collections back then! ) State Collection assured me that it was understood, not to worry. " The case was so new '' a note would be made re : this information. Week of XX/XX/XXXX I received a bill from the XXXX XXXX " Final Notice. '' We called, explained -still waiting for proof of bill - itemization. If we truly owe we'll pay, But a bill for XX/XX/XXXX deserves an explanation. XXXX, manager @ XXXX XXXX said " I've been working on your case '' and will " expedite '' the itemization for this bill. She said that State Coll. should be also. '' I told her the collection agency was my other concern. Never having dealt with a collection agency before I assumed when we explained the situation a few weeks earlier and that we were dealing directly with the XXXX XXXX, the rep from State Coll was understanding and reassuring, -no worry until research on this bill was completed. 
To be sure, I called State Collection Agency ( XX/XX/XXXX ), spoke with " XXXX '' who told me that they also requested an itemized statement and was surprised it was taking so long. She said they also had not received the requested itemization and would " escalate this with management. She assured me not to worry and that " this account is on hold. '' She said, " Why don't you call us to follow up in a couple weeks? '' I told her I was worried that this would affect my good credit. She assured me it WOULD NOT because - and I quote - " the account is on hold. We still have time '' and said it was or would be pulled from collections. 
Well on XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, my credit dropped XXXX points with a note from " State Collection Agency . 
This is very unfair! State Collection Agency should be held accountable for misleading us and not working to try to help us get to the bottom of this bill. As well, they should be held accountable for being untruthful in telling us not to worry, notes were made in the file, we have time, and to call back in a couple weeks. It's a huge shame that businesses are allowed to operate like this, and it is what makes a person lose all faith in people and these systems. State Collection Agency needs to be held accountable for the way they are handling this and for promising that this case is on hold and that our credit would not be affected.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation