First, the OC account.
A current status is one single, four letter word. When the current status is reported as "Paid," that means that the OC has posted to your CR that the debt, regardless of how paid, has been legally satisfied. It doesnt matter how it was paid, whether through a settlement for less than the full amount, or by whatever they did after the "repo" to recoup the debt.
$0 balance could, by itself, mean they sold the remaining debt, but when reported concurrent with a current status of Paid, they togther mean that the $0 balance also reflects satisfaction, in their minds, of the debt. So I am not surprised that you have seen no further reporting by the OC. They have said it all in their reporting.
Now,the debt collector.
First, they are questionable in that they apparently never sent you a formal dunning notice after their "calls" to you, which they were required to have done within 5 days of their very first call. Second, they have not reported to the CRAs, which is an indication that they are not willing to expose their actions to the dispute provisions of the FCRA. So their actions kinda lead to suspicion of their compliance with either the FCRA or the FDCPA.
My suggestion. The next time they call, DO answer the phone and establish an unquestionable first communication with you. That unequivicably establishes the requirement for dunning notice within 5 days.
Second, do you currently have their name and address? If so, dont wait for any dunning notice and immediately send them a DV letter. That triggers a cease collection bar on them, and also requires them to obtain verification of the debt from the alleged credtior, something I doubt that they can do in view of the OCs credit reporting.
If you dont have their name and address, more reason to pick up the phone and ask for it. Just requrest their name and correspondence address, tell them they will be hearing from you, and hang up. Use that address to DV them.
