Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Virginia
Reporting to a credit bureau
Can a firm performing a service (e.g. doctor, dentist, etc.) or its designated collection agent report any delinquint debt to any/all credit bureaus? I recently had dental work performed and as is customary, all bills were sent to my dental insurance agent with any balance due billed to me by the dental firm. I never signed any credit authorization or application with the firm nor was credit offered or inferred. Since the work was performed, life events have dictated that this bill be deferred in favor of more pressing debt (mortgage, etc.) I have attempted to arrange repayment but the terms offered by the dental firm were exceeding my financial means at the time. I am concerned that my heretofore excellent credit rating may suffer now because of this.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Reporting to a credit bureau
Yes, the firm or its collection agent can report any and all debts which they regard as delinquent to the appropriate credit reporting agencies.
If you owe for the work performed, you should pay what you can, even if you cannot send what they're demanding in order to forestall the
account from being adjudged delinquent.