If the creditor still owns the debt, it is likely that they terminated assignment to the initial debt collector, and have or are going to assign to a new debt collector. Debt collectors are advised under CRA reporting policy to delete their reported collection if their collection authority is terminated with the debt remaining unpaid.
If a new debt collector is authorized, then yes, they can report to their collection at any time.
They must send initial dunning notice within 5 days of their initial communication with the consumer, but can report prior to any initial communication or prior to sending dunning notice.
If a creditor is between debt collectors, that is an ideal time to pay the debt, which will discharge the debt and thus avoid any new collection.
