Does it only happen to me?

[Freedom]

Does this stuff happen to anyone else besides me?

It all started over 30 years ago, when I was a student in college (to remain nameless). I had . . . forget the term, work - study, where you get a job and they pay you, a form of scholarship / financial aid. I had that for my entire 4 years.

For 4 years, I had to go pick up my pay check after a trip to the Registrar's office. For some reason, the Registrar's office NEVER had me listed as a current student! I had a current photo ID, Dad got the tuition bills alright and paid those, but they would be stunned when I showed up, once a month for FOUR YEARS! Come time for graduation . . . you guessed it! I was never a student, why would I expect to be on the graduation list? Never did learn WHAT the problem was.

Since then, I am seldom showing up in computer records where I should be. It is a life long status, I learned long ago to expect it.

You are one of our insurance members? I don't see you on the computer
You are an employee here? I don't have you on the payroll list
You are a member of this gym? HOW DID YOU GET AN ID CARD that has to be a fake!
You signed up for our dance lessons? We don't have you listed.
That dog obedience class is full. You paid a deposit to hold a place? But it is full, you can't take it now.


I automatically pull out canceled checks, even before I make the first phone call or the first visit to an office.

[Laura's Babies]

Freedom, YOU have a bigger problem than I do I think! This too, has been lifelong for me but never as bad as yours. WOW!

Isn't it amazing how they have no record of you but are ever so willing to take your money without a problem!

[Lizzie]

The worst for me was also a medical bill. Months after I'd been to a clinic I received an overdue bill. I called the insurance company and was told the clinic hadn't given the correct information. I called the clinic again and they told me they would clear it up. A month later, I would get a more urgent bill from the clinic, and I'd call the insurance company again, and then the clinic again. This went on for eight months and, although it didn't end up with a collection agency, it certainly came near. Finally I got someone at the insurance company who was willing to give me more information than anyone else. She said the problem was that the bill was for a mammogram and the code the clinic was using had nothing to do with breasts! I enlightened the clinic and the bills stopped. Now why couldn't they have talked to each other and figured this out?!