Consumer complaint received 2019-04-16
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Simon's Agency, Inc. (NJ)

I have recently found a medical collection from your office on my credit report for {$2000.00} with XXXX XXXX XXXX. Under my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I am requesting that you validate the reported debt associated with the account number listed above with the creditor and verify that balance listed on my credit report. There is no way that I owe this debt from XX/XX/2017. I have insurance and have never had any issues. This is definitely an error and needs to be addressed. Additionally, I am permitted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) to protect my privacy and medical records from third parties. I do not recall giving authorization to the medical provider to release my medical information to a third party or to you specifically. I am aware that the HIPAA does allow for limited information about me but anything more is to only be revealed with the patients authorization. I do not remember giving authorization to Simon 's Agency. Therefore my request is two-foldvalidation of debt along with HIPAA authorization. Please provide a breakdown of fees including any collection costs and medical charges. Provide a copy of my signature with the provider of service to release my medical information to you. Cease any credit bureau reporting until the debt has been validated by me. Please send this information to my address listed above and accept this complaint as my formal debt validation request, which I am allowed under the FDCPA. Please note that withholding the information you received from any medical provider in an attempt to be HIPAA compliant can be a violation of the FDCPA because you will be deceiving me after my written request. I request full documentation of what you received from the provider of service in connection with this alleged debt. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681y, imposes responsibilities on all persons who furnish information to consumer reporting agencies ( CRAs ). These responsibilities are found in Section 623 of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2. Section 623 imposes the following duties : If a CRA notifies a furnisher that a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information provided by the furnisher, the furnisher has a duty to follow certain procedures. The furnisher must : Conduct an investigation and review all relevant information provided by the CRA, including information given to the CRA by the consumer. Sections 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) and ( b ) ( 1 ) ( B ). Report the results to the CRA that referred the dispute, and, if the investigation establishes that the information was, in fact, incomplete or inaccurate, report the results to all CRAs to which the furnisher provided the information that compiles and maintain files on a nationwide basis. Sections 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( C ) and ( b ) ( 1 ) ( D ). Complete the above steps within 30 days from the date the CRA receives the dispute ( or 45 days, if the consumer later provides relevant additional information to the CRA ). Section 623 ( b ) ( 2 ). Promptly modify or delete the information, or block its reporting. Section 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( E ).