Can a rental car company send a successfully disputed bill to collections?

**A rental car company cannot send a successfully disputed bill to collections.** Here's why: 1. **Disputing a Bill Does Not Hurt Your Credit**: When you dispute a credit report, it does not directly impact your credit score. However, if the dispute results in a change to your credit report, your score may be affected. For instance, if a late payment was incorrectly reported and you correct it through a dispute, your credit scores will likely improve. 2. **Collections Agencies Act with Caution**: Collections agencies typically do not pursue debts that are under dispute. They will often wait for the outcome of the dispute before taking action. If the dispute is successful, the collections agency will likely cease any collection efforts. 3. **Your Rights as a Consumer**: You have the right to dispute inaccuracies on your credit report, which includes charges you did not authorize or believe to be incorrect. If a rental car company sends a bill to collections despite a successful dispute, you can contact the collections agency to inform them of the dispute and request that they cease collection efforts. 4. **Legal Protection**: If a rental car company sends a bill to collections despite a successful dispute, you may have legal grounds to pursue the company for harassment or violation of consumer protection laws. It's advisable to document all communications related to the dispute and potential harassment. In conclusion, while a rental car company may initially send a bill to collections, successful dispute of the charges should result in the termination of collection efforts. If the company persists, you may have legal recourse to protect yourself from further harassment or violation of your rights.