Paying as agreed with OC, now collection notice???

[andemalia]

Okay guys,

I have been trying to clean up my report for bout year and my credit score has gone up 90 points from when I started. My last delinquency is a PIF collection from December 2012.

I moved out of a townhouse 2 months ago and set up a payment plan with the utility company for $150/month on a $900 balance. I have been paying as agreed and always call this particular lady at the credit department of the utlity company. 

Now, I just received a collection notice for the balance (the updated balance $723) by an outside collection agency.

I am soooooo angry, my second payment is due on the 11th on this month (next week).

Why are they sending this to collection when I have a payment plan with them that I am sofar fulfilling?????????

I just so angry!!! And it's saturday so I can't call until Monday? What do I say other than call the lady and ask her why I am being sent to collections?

I am thinking of getting her to send me a payment agreement letter first (I never got any) and then once she tells me its sent, hang up and call back to address this issue.

What are your suggestions?

I do not want to deal with the collection agency!!! 

How can I protect myself from them putting it on my credit??

[RobertEG]

Technically, if delinquent, they are not prcluded from referral for collection.

However, implied in an agreed repayment plan is that they are satisfied with the arrangment, making a referral for outsode collection assistance a very poor business practicel

I would first speak with them.

If they refuse to terminate the collection, then I would write a letter to your local BBB.