As far as the student loans go pay the minimum... you don't have to pay it down. Makes very little difference if at all if any fico wise. You shouldn't necessarily pay it DOWN. Pay what you can AFFORD. Check to see if you have principle and interest payments and the ratio. Mine were 50/50 i paid mine down no way was i gonna pay the whole amount of the loan twice over. But you're making less money than you were before and may only have the option of staying afloat right now.
As far as fico goes it helps your mix of credit and the tradeline reports paid as agreed whether your paying it down or simply just paying the monthy amount do doesn't matter. It's only 10% of your score anyway but keep current... do what you can to stay current.
As far as the CA goes you should send them a DV letter CMRRR so they can send you a copy of the original creditor. This is only to match them up with the hospital you think passed the debt to them. If they do not respond to this you can use the evidence of the reciept to show they did not respond to your request to the credit bureaus. Also Contact the hospital who you think passed on the debt to them. Another way to confirm they are trying to collect a debt that is already paid. Tell them you paid in full you are looking for records that they passed the debt to said CA and can they pull back the debt. They should be willing to work with you since you are paid in full. At the very least you can get documentation that you are paid in full regarding the debt and the CA does not have the legal right to collect on it. No reason for you to be paying the same debt twice.
The company is clearly trying to shaft u with the name change to duck your counter action. Any name they use will have to have the original creditor (the hospital) in question and they will not be able to dodge this bullet.
