Unknowningly Paid Closed Collection Account

[ebaniaga]

Hello All.

Forgive me if this is addressed elsewhere, my search for closed collection accounts did not seem to furnish any results related to my situation.

I currently have a collection account that is reporting at a balance of $0 and is closed.  The only problem is that it shows up as "paid, closed" on my credit report and I have no idea why, because I did not make payment.

I am currently in the market for a car and I am addressing all negative report information (I have sent PFD, GW, and dispute letters to a few places).  My question here would be about what I should do with this particular account.

Do I write a GW Letter?  I obviously can't write a PFD since it's aleggedly been paid.  Who should I contact? OC? CA?

I'm not really sure what to do from here to get it off of my report so I would appreciate any help you guys can give.

Aloha,

ebaniaga

[RobertEG]

If you know it has not been paid, I would not rely on that comment of paid as fulfillment of the debt.

Closed, $0 balance under collection merely means the debt collector no longer is collecting on the debt.

The debt still exists, and someone is likely to come forward.

I would begin by finding out who now owns the debt, as any PFD would have to go to them or a debt collector is they assign addtional collection.

[ebaniaga]

Do you think addressing the OC would do me any good? Or will the OC no longer have owned the debt by then.

Should I send a DV letter to the CA or should I just call them and ask?

[Shogun]

I like the idea of sending them a DV.  Just to verify they own the debt.

[RobertEG]

If the collection has been closed, they are no longer pursuing collection.

A DV would most likely be ignored.

First, unless sent within 30 days of their dunning notice, it would not invoke any cease collection bar, and could simply be ignored.

Second, even if timely, they have no requirment to respond, only to cease further collection until they choose to respond.

Since they have already reported cessation of collection, it will most likely be ignored.

Not sure what a DV would accomplish...... but doesnt hurt to send.

[ebaniaga]

@RobertEG so what would your next course of action be??

Would you contact the OC directly?  Dispute the item in order for the CA to respond?

I'm not really sure what to do next.

[guiness56]

Do you know what it is for?  It is your debt?

[ebaniaga]

Yes and yes.  It is for an eye doctor visit that I believe my insurance declined.

[guiness56]

I would send the DV.