Q: I paid off a bill directly with the hospital, but their collection agency keeps calling me - can I take them to court?
A:
Maybe. You would want to make sure that the hospital has had a chance to tell the collection agency that your bill has been paid (this could take a couple business days). Also, you would want to make sure that the bill the collection agency is calling you about is the same one that you paid off. These kind of misunderstandings/miscommunications happen, so if you want to sue, you should make a paper trail. Send the collection agency a letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, and tell them you've paid the bill and enclose proof of your payment. This could be a payment receipt from the hospital, a credit card receipt, or a canceled check. If the collection agency continues to harass you about the same bill after they sign for your certified mail return receipt, then sue away. You would basically be alleging a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Procedures Act (FDCPA).
As always, you get what you pay for. Be sure to talk to a qualified attorney about your specific situation before choosing to rely on any information you get from internet discussion boards such as this one.
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