Merchants' Credit Guide Company

2016-08-16

Chicago, IL

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Not given enough info to verify debt
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-08-12

Westerville, OH

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-07-29

Arlington, VA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Frequent or repeated calls
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-07-15

Des Plaines, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-07-08

Gila Bend, AZ

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-18

Hinsdale, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: Medical Bill my ex-wife failed to properly submit to correct insurance went unpaid and I was not notified or ever received a bill until I saw the negative mark on my credit report. I made immediate payment while still proceeding to have the correct insurance coverage applied. The collection company is refusing to remove the fraudulent derogatory mark from my credit reports.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-05-16

Palos Park, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-05

Bull Valley, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was discharged in bankruptcy
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-04

Hilo, HI

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-29

IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: Merchant Credit Guide is reporting {$62.00} unpaid balance on my credit report. After speaking with an account representative over the phone, he told me I had to send him a proof of affidavit and police report. I asked him to validate the debt or remove it from my credit report. By reporting inaccurate information to my credit they are in violation of Fair Credit Reporting Act. The agent over the phone refused to give me any information as to how I should dispute the inaccurate information. I want them to remove this negative tradeline from my credit ASAP and close account until they provide validation that it belongs to me.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with non-monetary relief

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-03-21

Ashland, NJ

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Not given enough info to verify debt
Complaint: I HAVE RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM AGENCY REGARDING A DEBT COLLECTION BUT THEY INDICATE THAT IT IS SEVERAL COMPANIES THEY ARE REPRESENTING BUT DO NOT IDENTIFY NAMES OF THE COMPANIES. THEY STATE ( SEVERAL ). I HAVE SENT CORRESPONDENCE REQUESTING THE NAMES OF ALL DEBTORS TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF DEBT COLLECTION ON THE SAME DEBT FROM VARIOUS ENTITIES. I AM WAITING FOR THAT REQUESTED INFORMATION.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-03-04

Lewisville, TX

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: I 've been receiving calls daily from merchants credit guide for some medical bills. Last month we paid off a few of the debts, and I had asked if that was all of them, they had said yes. Today I received a call from them that I missed. I called them back to see what it was about. The lady on the phone was immediately very rude and not very nice. She had extrmeme attitude and began yelling on the phone at me. I asked for her name and all she would give me was a first name. All I wanted was information about my debt and all i got was anger and frustration. I spoke to her supervisor, who acknowledged her behavior and apologized, but I wanted to make a formal complaint against them, because it probably happens daily.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-02-15

Itasca, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: I have contacted XXXX Hospital several times now and this debt was removed from XXXX of the credit bureaus since they have no record of this on file for me. merchants Credit guide removed this debt on XXXX XXXX from XXXX and XXXX. I contacted Merchant 's credit who is reporting this still to XXXX and they refused to listen to me, were rude and told me they are authorized to continue to report this as long as they want. The representative said that XXXX Hospital is telling them to continue to report this. XXXX says they have done no such thing and have no record of anything owed for me.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-01-23

Phoenix, AZ

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: On XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, I went to a doctor through an appointment XXXX. The doctor told me he was going to put on XXXX only and I asked since it was basically a hard XXXX covering if I could do it myself if it was going to be costly. The doctor said not to worry about the cost, that the insurance company would pay for it. I confirmed this again with the doctor that I could n't afford a costly covering for my fingertip. I was told again by the doctor not to worry about the cost but to make my {$35.00} copay and insurance would handle the rest -- stating also not to pay for any difference that may be billed. I then received a bill from the doctor 's office for {$530.00} of which my insurance paid {$160.00} stating that I owed the remaining {$370.00}. I repeatedly called ( XXXX has documentation that I called numerous times in regards to the charge in an attempt to resolve. They claimed that the doctor would return my phone calls, which i never received a call hence the repeated calls by me ). After not receiving a call from the doctor, I concluded that this issue was resolved as there were no additional billings received until receiving a collection letter that was dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX from Merchants Credit Guide Co.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-12-08

Crown Point, IN

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-10-01

Chicago, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Complaint: Merchants Credit is conducting unfair and perhaps illegal business practices to the detriment of my financial security. For the last few months, I have been working directly and consistently with XXXX XXXX to resolve medical billing issue and Merchants Credit was made aware of this direct relationship. Background : XXXX quoted me just over {$100.00} for a XXXX then billed me nearly {$1500.00} when the procedure was over. After finalizing the bill, I set up a payment arrangement with XXXX for {$50.00} per month for the balance. During these negotiations, I received a letter from Merchants Credit notifying me that they were attempting to collect payment on this debt. On XXXX XXXX, 2015, I called and spoke with their agent XXXX and informed him that I was and had always been working directly with XXXX. I followed up on XXXX XXXX, 2015 and spoke to supervisor XXXX XXXX. Again, I informed XXXX that I already had a payment plan in place with XXXX, to please contact XXXX regarding the matter, and that I wished not to be contacted regarding the issue because Merchants Credit continued to try and collect this debt that I was already paying. Instead of following up with their client, Merchants Credit and XXXX XXXX continued to attempt to collect this debt - one that does n't not belong with their agency and that has always been in good financial standing, never having been a day late - unbeknownst to me. Merchants Credit will not take my word what I am working directly with XXXX XXXX nor will they allow me to provide any evidence verifying the payment plan and the financial status of the account. Furthermore, Merchants Credit has continuously refused to communicate with their client to confirm that this account indeed does not belong with them. When I received my credit report XX/XX/XXXX, I noticed these account reporting for the first time ( Merchants Credit is reporting XXXX different accounts that actually fall under XXXX bill and XXXX payment plan ), meaning Merchants Credit had several months to reconcile their records with their client - a simple phone call - but instead chose to report this debt to the three major credit unions - XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. This is again, a debt that I do not owe them - I am already paying it directly to XXXX XXXX and they have been aware of that since XX/XX/XXXX. When I spoke to XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, I tried to mediate the issue by offering to call XXXX on a XXXX way call to quickly confirm the payment arrangement - he refused, saying " he wo n't be on a three way call with anyone '' and " he does n't do business with them like that. '' XXXX XXXX also threatened that when XXXX XXXX confirms everything I have said is true, Merchants Credit will not take the account off of my credit report, but rather report the balance as being paid in full. This is NOT a satisfactory resolution of the issue because " paid in full '' reads as though the balance was rightfully in collections, it was n't, and that I paid it off and it will still remain on my credit for the next seven years ( this gives a consumer with an account rightfully in collections no real incentive to pay off the debt because the derogatory account will remain and the " paid in full '' designation does n't add any major gains to the credit score ). Rather, I would like Merchants Credit to confer with their client ( as they should have and should not be forced to have to do ) OR to allow me to provide proof that the relationship exists and that the money has been consistently paid.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-09-11

IL

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Medical

Not given enough info to verify debt
Complaint: I called Merchants Credit XXXX 3 times to request copies of the original bills, because the original creditor has no record of an outstanding balance. After the first call they noted on my credit report consumer disputes which i was not, all i wanted was copies of the bills to be faxed or e-mailed which they refused so they said they were mailing the original bills to date since XXXX i have not received the original bills in the mail. I then sent a debt validation letter via certified mail on XXXX XXXX, 2015 the company signed for the XXXX letters on XXXX XXXX, 2015. The company has not ceased reporting to the credit bureaus nor have they sent the bills that i have requested numerous times.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-08-18

Hinsdale, IL

Disclosure verification of debt

Debt collection: Medical

Not given enough info to verify debt
Complaint: Merchants Credit Guide has not been able to accurately compute what they claim is owed. XXXX XXXX from that company claims it is my responsibility to compute the bill. They provided an XXXX totaling XXXX as validation of a debt, they claim I owe XXXX. They have XXXX information on insurance payments, credits or co-pays. How do I even know I owe them XXXX penny?? Bills must be precise, clear and explained. This validation does not meet any legal standard..or any normal standard.This company also terminated my phone call because they said I just did not want to pay. As for that, I think my calling them XXXX is an effort to resolve this issue. Bottom line, if you want to collect a debt, you MUST be able to clearly show any computations of that debt owed. They could not even explain how they reached this figure..they just refused! Please see the attached documents which clearly show the amount demanded and the so-called verification of that debt. Additionally, if the debt is mine or not is not relevant, it is the amounts billed which are inaccurate and unverifiable, therefore making this debt noncollectable at this time. Merchants Credit Guide must either verify proper computations or delete and close this file.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2015-08-06

Jersey City, NJ

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Debt was paid
Complaint: In XXXX of 2014 I dropped a class so the school gave me a credit of money that was left over. Again in XXXX 2014 I withdrew from the school dropping XXXX more classes. I took loans out for each semester I attended classes. I received credit for the two classes that i dropped and I had money left over from my loans. The school is trying to tell me that I owe them money when I do n't. When I log into my student account, I see that someone made changes in XXXX showing that I owe. That is around the same time frame that I had them go over my account because they were sending me letters about the balance due.
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Untimely Response

2015-06-10

Palos Park, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt is not mine
Complaint: DEBT IS FOR A CHARGE THAT WAS GENERATED BY XXXX XXXX OF XXXX HOSPITAL. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE HOSPITAL 'S BILLING OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS CHARGE AND INSTRUCTED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS REPORTED TO XXXX FOR SOMETHING I NEVER RECEIVED. I TOLD THE HOSPITAL THAT THEY ARE GUILTY OF XXXX FRAUD. I WILL NEVER PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE. I REPORTED THE HOSPITAL TO XXXX FOR THEIR FRAUDULENT BILLING PRACTICES.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-04-24

Laurel, MD

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Non-federal student loan

Debt is not mine
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-04-21

Slidell, LA

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

Called after sent written cease of comm
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2015-03-29

Plainfield, IL

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-03-17

Phila, PA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2015-03-06

Chicago, IL

Improper contact or sharing of info

Debt collection: Credit card

Contacted me after I asked not to
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response