What Can I Do if I Paid a Bill & Collection Agencies Keep Writing to Me?

Often, when you owe a bill that has been outstanding for some time, the creditor turns the account over to a collection agency in the hope that they can collect the debt. If you have already paid the bill, but the collection agency continues to contact you, you should contact them in writing to dispute the debt. State laws govern what a bill collector can and cannot do when attempting to collect a debt; however, in most states a bill collector must confirm a debt once you dispute it and may not continue collection efforts while the bill is being disputed.

Proof of Payment

Locate proof of payment. If you paid the bill in full, request a copy of the canceled check from your bank, locate the money order receipt, or request a copy of the credit or debit card payment from your card holder. If you paid the bill in cash, you may have a problem proving it was paid unless you received a receipt for the payment.

Letter to Collection Agency

Request the official mailing address for the collection agency the next time they contact you. In addition, make sure you get your account number from them. Your original account number with the creditor and your account number with the collection agency are likely different. Write a letter to the collection agency. Reference your name and account number at the top of the letter. Include in the body of the letter that you have paid the bill and the date you paid it. Indicate that you are including a copy of proof of payment. Insist that the collection agency cease and desist all collection efforts and that they verify the account with the original creditor. You should send the letter to the collection agency certified mail as well as a copy to the original creditor to put them on notice of your impending dispute.

Disputing the Debt

State laws vary with regard to what a collection agency may do to collect a debt. In most cases, however, a collection agency cannot continue to call you or send letters to your home once you have disputed the debt. Once you dispute the debt, the collection agency must verify the debt with the original creditor. Sometimes there is simply a lapse between the time you pay a bill and when a collection agency receives word that it has been paid. Regardless of the reason, the collection agency must receive a confirmation from the original creditor within an allowable period of time that you still owe the debt in order to continue collection efforts.

State Attorney General

If a collection agency continues to attempt to collect a debt from you while the debt is in dispute, or if the original creditor confirms the debt despite the fact that you provided proof of payment, consider contacting your state Attorney General's office. In most states, the Attorney General is responsible for consumer complaints and for regulating bill collectors within the state. If the collection agency is violating state law, you may have the basis for legal action against them.