HD is exactly correct about CA's report to the CRA, sorry I missed that part of your question. It is my understanding that if the CA is reporting, once you send DV to them they MUST report to the CRA that you are disputing the collection. I think they have 5 days to do that. If they don't--and by extension if they keep updating regularly--they are in violation. If they simply stop updating without noting that the account is disputed, they are also in violation.
It is great that you're breathing a sigh of relief; we're all here to provide that very support! But, the thing to remember is that the information you receive should really be giving you the courage to talk to an attorney! "Legal obligations" mean nothing outside a court of law; in other words, the CA's and the CRA's move when legal action--or the threat thereof if they KNOW they are in violation--makes them move. They know the law and they find it amusing that WE "think" we know the law. The question becomes who has the guts to call the other's bluff. That's where they think they have us cornered, but those who have access to consumer advocates/attorneys/MYFICO!!! know better 