collection agency had no right to report to the credit agency

[panic attack]

My Husband and I got some rather disturbing news from our bank today. they told us that our account status has been changed because my husband credit score dropped, our checking account no long has check coverage and it's at a lower interest rate.why we asked? apparently a collection agency had contacted one of he credit agencies on a doctor bill for 69.00.
problem is, the bill had been paid to the doctors directly. over a week later we get a letter from this collection agency, so I pitched it. than I got a call a few weeks later from that same agency . I was surprised to hear a collection agency was calling. we've been debt free and trying hard to rebuild our credit after BK 2 years ago.
The lady fron the agency said we has a bill for 69.00. I told her, it was paid about a month earlier and gave her the check # ,the amount and date it was sent. She told me she would contact me if there were any problems.Never herd from her again!until today when we found out what the did to our credit report. So is this not against the law?what can i do ?I can only find info on harrasment. these people screwed our credit rating from and account that they had not had for long.I don't know the law that well but ,don't they have to contact you by phone before the can take such an action.I'am wondering if they had already messed up our credit before she called. thanks for any info!

[Pinktiger]

You can and you should dispute the issue on your credit report. Also, I think you should find another bank; find one that won't screw you over. We are consumers and should be able to shop around for the best deal. We may have credit issues, but we are still consumers. This really steams me; good luck on this.

[panic attack]

ya ,we were not to happy with the credit union we belong to.so much for them being better than a bank.
I really think this collection agency took an Illegal action . at they time they agency called that check had already cleared the bank.the bill from the time I sent it to the doctors it would have been at the docs office by the time I got their first and only letter.and after being informed of it's payment.I will be going to do some clean up on the credit report.

[lostsoul23]

I really think this collection agency took an Illegal action . at they time they agency called that check had already cleared the bank.the bill from the time I sent it to the doctors it would have been at the docs office by the time I got their first and only letter.and after being informed of it's payment.I will be going to do some clean up on the credit report.

Please keep in mind the collection agency just didn't "pull your account" out of thin air. Someone had to give them the information that the account was past due, how to contact you, etc. And that someone would be the doctors office. It sounds like whoever does the books there slipped up.

As far as getting it off your credit report, you can dispute it. Good luck.

[panic attack]

yes there is the doctors office ,they to screwed up. I had contacted them two months ealier for all my account info to pay them off.I did .this bill must have been overlooked by them it was sent in oct.I contacted them today for info on when did it go to collection .they are showing 0 balance and cannot even find this bill so far.I'am feel like I'am dealing with the brain dead!did find out from the ftc that there are 2 violation by the coolection agency.now I just need to know how to sue them.

[Starchild 1066]

If these people have done financial damage to you ,you should sue them. I'd contact an attorney if you can afford it, or at least the FTC.Don't let them off the hook, if things were reversed they wouldn't show you any mercy.