What would you do.

[ripper1]

Hello All. I just received a bill from a dental office from another state that I used to live in. Ok, I haven't lived there since 2011. The bill is for 105 dollars with a 5 dollar late charge and it says its over 90 days late. It doesn't describe what it is for and I haven't set foot in that office for 14 years. Would anyone pay this bill? Sounds like a money grab to me. We called them and they said the billing office would get back to us. Something smells fishy to us.

 

[Aerides]

I would wait for the call back and go from there.

 

[aja8888]

Pretty fishy!

 

[Sunset]

Sounds like unlikely the dental office is looking over their records from 14 years ago to find unpaid bills.
Either fake, or the dental office sold it's unpaid debts to a debt collector, who now is trying to collect on the debt. Which is probably not valid as too old.

IF anyone responds, ask for printed proof of debt to be mailed to you. I bet there is none.
A real dental office would be able to mail a record of the visit, date, procedures and costs.

Why would there be a $5 late charge, that part is so fishy to me.

 

[MichaelB]

Pretty fishy!

Yup, totally fishy.

Nonetheless, I think a small effort today may save more time tomorrow. In this case, I’d write a very short letter to the provider just summarizing that you received a bill with no detail, your last visit was 14 years ago, and you will take no further action unless they send documented proof you actually owe them money.

 

[imjustawarrior]

If they can prove you owe the money, then pay it. Otherwise, I would ignore them. I would not put too much effort into it.

 

[easysurfer]

About a year ago I got a late fee from the vet where I used to take my cats to. Things is I never got an original bill. The late fee wasn't much, but that was the final straw as I can now say my former vet.

 

[jazz4cash]

I got something similar years ago. I called them up to let them know I wouldn’t be paying. They couldn’t tell me details or why it had not been billed on time. They said they had erred and caught the mistake during an audit. It reminded me of why I stopped going there. I think they are required to request payment before they can legally write it off.

 

[Sojourner]

Sounds like unlikely the dental office is looking over their records from 14 years ago to find unpaid bills.
Either fake, or the dental office sold it's unpaid debts to a debt collector, who now is trying to collect on the debt. Which is probably not valid as too old.

IF anyone responds, ask for printed proof of debt to be mailed to you. I bet there is none.
A real dental office would be able to mail a record of the visit, date, procedures and costs.

Why would there be a $5 late charge, that part is so fishy to me.

Absolutely agree with this. I would call the office and ask for proof (original service records, in writing) and then scour my own records to see if it matches up.

Also keep in mind that there are many consumer protections in place regarding medical debt collection. In all likelihood, OP probably doesn't need to worry about this, especially if the dental office can't provide definitive proof of the services rendered and the unpaid bill.

 

[skyking1]

the dental office sold it's unpaid debts to a debt collector, who now is trying to collect on the debt. Which is probably not valid as too old.

This. they buy debt for pennies on the dollar and if they can get people to pay, there's the profit.

 

[Lorenzo]

Check the statute of limitations for debt in your state. Debts older than a certain number of years may be uncollectible under state law.

 

[Jerry1]

We called them and they said the billing office would get back to us. Something smells fishy to us.

Did you call a number on the bill or, did you call the office directly. I’m wondering if you called a debt collector or the dental office.

 

[TickTock]

Heh. Over three decades ago I had a phone call from someone saying I owed $x for [some unpaid bill] and they were going to send it to debt collection if not paid immediately. I said, "Fine. If it's a legitimate bill I'll pay it. Send me the documentation." Never heard back from them again.

I'd do nothing unless you get a callback, and then I would make sure you're talking to the dentist's office. My gut says <1% chance this is legit.

 

[MissMolly]

The Statute of Limitations on uncollected debt for most states is 3 - 6 years. A few states go out to 10 years. But all of these are far less than 14 years. Call them, write them, whatever, and let them know they have missed their deadline.

 

[Koolau]

It does sound like a scam - if not, then really sloppy record keeping on their part.

Make a half hearted effort to respond and then don't worry about it. YMMV

 

[goodtogo]

It would be a cold day in hell before I responded to or bothered with anyone, scammer or not, about anything this stale.

 

[Texas Proud]

I would not say it is a scam if it were really a debt.... but I also would not be paying it either to a debt collector or the dentist office...

If you cannot bill me in a timely manner that is on you...

OR, to be a bit funny, say you will pay it in the amount of time it took them to send the bill... 14 years.. if you go this way I would pay it in 14 years

 

[CaptTom]

Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Some clerk in the office typed in the wrong patient ID. Or they pulled up a list of names and clicked on the wrong one. Or they got a new patient with a very similar name. Or...

Yeah, let the billing department sort it out.

 

[VanWinkle]

Yes, under the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule, dental bills, like other medical debt, are now excluded from credit reports.

 

[street]

Trying to be honest and do the right thing is one thing. In this case I would ignore the bill and not have a problem with it. Scam written all over it.

I have got taken a few times and one just recently selling to people that never kept their part of the deal. So, sad that people have no heart and can scam steal and cheat someone.

 

[Car-Guy]

Trash can!

 

[Redbugdave]

I would make an attempt to verify the bill. But not pay it since it has been so long.

I think they know you have not been flossing every day!

 

[Healthy Lifestyle]

Dental office should confirm if this is valid bill or not.

 

[ychuck46]

Hello All. I just received a bill from a dental office from another state that I used to live in. Ok, I haven't lived there since 2011. The bill is for 105 dollars with a 5 dollar late charge and it says its over 90 days late. It doesn't describe what it is for and I haven't set foot in that office for 14 years. Would anyone pay this bill? Sounds like a money grab to me. We called them and they said the billing office would get back to us. Something smells fishy to us.

Personally I would ignore it unless the billing office comes back with a completely legitimate reason why you need the money. I would bet that they will not.

 

[Happily Retired 2019]

Hello All. I just received a bill from a dental office from another state that I used to live in. Ok, I haven't lived there since 2011. The bill is for 105 dollars with a 5 dollar late charge and it says its over 90 days late. It doesn't describe what it is for and I haven't set foot in that office for 14 years. Would anyone pay this bill? Sounds like a money grab to me. We called them and they said the billing office would get back to us. Something smells fishy to us.

Absolutely would not pay