If/when they do, oppose it.
Done.
Tom
https://www.beobachter.ch/konsum/kon...-und-schuldner
In the comments below that article, a user writes that the Betreibung from Intrum, though opposed, is still blotting their copy-book, 7 years later.
Having a Betreibung against one's name can be a disadvantage when signing new contracts, in particular when trying to rent an apartment. Betreibungen are best avoided, wherever possible.
Does the bill have your date of birth (Geburtsdatum) on it? Every doctor's bill I've received has name and address, as well as my date of birth and the date of service. If the bill has your correct date of birth, is there a chance that you scheduled an appointment but never showed up?
I think Intrum is trying it on to see if someone will pay, and you were close enough. You say you've never been to the dentist. If that's the case then you do not need to pay the bill but you do need to send some registered letters to say this is not you.
Tom
sounds like they are fishing, screw em
Just recently the girlfriend of a tenant of ours asked my wifes help in sorting out an invoice for health insurance (to long to explain, but basically she ended up with two insurances without knowing it) and even though Bellinzona admit the mistake was from their side, the invoice for some CHF 3,000 from one insurer (despite no claim and despite her already being covered) still stands as she (foolishly) did not appeal within the 30 days given to her.
So though it's not your fault, don't leave it unacknowledged otherwise you may find you have to pay by default.
By contacting Intum OP'd confirm receipt of their invoice. Don't let them get there on the cheap, if they meant business they'd use registered mail. Ignore their letters as long as they arrive by ordinary mail. Any amounts that are due to debt collection efforts are of no concern to the debtor.
Check the date of the claimed treatment, it lapses after five years. While the devil's in the detail, in a case with a bill of 2-400 CHF (plus perhaps 200 by Intrum) it's a virtual given that the countdown starts with the treatment.
I wouldn't contact the dentist if the countdown was expiring soon-ish, let it it reach zero first. Otherwise it looks like the decent thing to clarify the issue soon; perhaps have a camera handy during the call to show them your teeth so they can compare them with their records.
If OP was at a dentist so that the bill really is for OP (though they might have mis-spelled OP's name, and though the dental practice may perhaps have changed names) then OP needs to know whether or not he/she signed such a clause when first registering.
Yes the patient will want to know eventually but it's the doc who must prove their case. Maybe Patient's lucky and the dog had a fun day in the doc's archieve. Or maybe they have a vermin problem. Shit happens.
The patient's contract is with the dentist, not with Intrum. The original claim (which you want to require proven, as appears to be the case with OP) is transferable, perhaps along with the cost of a couple reminders (each billable for, like, 20 CHF), but not more (usually).
Don't let them bully you. Don't tell them anything. Do refuse to be intimidated (even if you are). And do keep in mind that any term they set and any amount they claim is as such irrelevant to you, unless you've explicitly agreed which you shouldn't, ever. Which is also why you want to react to registered mail only and take your time for everything (as in, months for each step if you can).
Be triple the pain in their ass they try to be in yours.