Collection Company Reported the Same Debt Twice, Using 2 Different Names

[Amatiq]

I got a call from a collection company in Oct 2013 regarding a debt I'd never been billed for, for an ER visit. I asked for written verfication of the original bill, so I could see if my ex would be partially responsible. They said they'd send it and give me 30 days to pay. Instead, they reported it the very same day.

Just last week, I negotiated a PFD (never did get verfication, but need a mortgage). It's good until Feb. 15th, which is when I said I'd pay. They called me 4 more times that day to harass me about paying RIGHT NOW.

Today they reported the same debt. They used a different collection agency name, but when I googled it, it's the same company. What do I do? 

[Shogun]

First off, are they both reporting a balance?  This is inaccurate if they are.  If one CA sells to another, the first should delete according to the guidebook.  I would contact them again and vocalize your concerns before payment.

[Amatiq]

Yes, they show the same balance. This company is Commonwealth Collections. This is almost certainly  not an error...Commonweath bought out Northeast Collections a few years ago. This is a deliberate retaliation. This company is notorious for unprofesional behavior...one agent made a payment arrangement with me and then reported it anyway. She called me to tell me what she'd done.

What I want to know is how to get it off...they aren't going to help me do that, they did it in the first place.

[Shogun]

You have a verbal agreement, and you said they would send you a written agreement.  I would see what they sent with the written agreement.

[Amatiq]

Commonwealth sent me a written agreement already. It offers a settlement. It says I have until the 15th of Feburary to pay. Today, one week after I got the agreement, they have reported as of todays debt, as if it were a new collection. They used the company name "Northeast Collections". Northeast Collections is in fact the same company as Commonwealth Collections.

So now I show two companies collecting a debt of the same amount, with the same original date. But it shows up as two different collections.Commonwealth Collectons shows a debt of $711, Northeast Collections shows a debt o $711. If I pay the Commonwealth one, it won't get off the other one, and I doubt this is an innocent error.

[Shogun]

I agree.  First off, 2 CAs cannot report a balance, it is a violation.  

[Amatiq]

So how should I proceed? I was going to pay off the one and then apply for a mortgage. How do I get them to remove the duplicate? I can't have a dispute and get a mortgage.

[Shogun]

Just by my limited quick research I performed on them, they are one and the same company.  So any PFD/agreement should be take care of both.  I would however remind them they they are posted on your CR twice.  Once under the old name, once under the new.

[Amatiq]

ok, thanks

[down_n_out]

I just did a PFD for 3 medical coll with this company and they had the debts listed under both names. I got the PFD in writing via email. But they  said verbally once they delete both CA names will be deleted.  I not happy they duplicated mine too.