Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California
Billing statute of limitations
I just received a call from a dental office that claims I never paid them over 18 months ago. I paid the then office manager (who claimed to have owned the office) & she never paid the bill or billed the insurance company for the work that is done. Apparently I'm not the only one that was defrauded. What do I do?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Billing statute of limitations
First let the AG know this is happening. Then, write to the dentist and explain what happened in a polite letter.
If you paid the bill, you have a receipt or a cancelled check. Be prepared to prove you paid the bill. Your bank will have a copy of both sides of the check.
They can collect on this debt (by filing a lawsuit against you) for three years if there is no writing, or six years if this is your regular dentist and you have been to him before.
if it was a money order, the money order company can get you a copy to show it was negotiated.
Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell