I live in California. I paid my bill via mail and for some reason the company took a long time to process it. I recieved a letter in the mail from a dept collection agency for the amount within days after the original company processing my payment. I called up the colleciton agency disputed the claim, and showed them proof of my payment. They said they would contact the company for verification.
Than a month later the collection agency sent me an other notice for the same amount! I rechecked my bank statement and the original company definitely took my money. When I called the collections agency back they said they hadn't yet heard back from the origial company, and were continuing to to treat the debt as outstanding which means they will soon report it to Experian and TransUnion. So what are my options? How can I fix this problem and maintain my credit score?
Hello Heckman, I would call the original company and not the collection agency. Tell them you have proof that this bill was paid and that it was their long processing time that delayed the payment. Inform them that you will be contacting your atty general and asking for his or her assistance in this matter if they do not resolve the matter immediatley. I would actually go ahead and call your atty general in advance. I had a credit problem and my state atty made a call for me on the spot and called me back with answers with in an hour.
Yes I have experienced one of them almost refusing to correct my report and once you mention the Federal Trades Commission or The Attorney General. Their whole outlook changes. The same one placed me on hold and contacted Equifax to fix it. So yes if you let them know you are the one that means buissness I sure you will get results.
Once it comes up in your report you may always dispute it with the credit bureaus.