After making a settlement payment to a collection agency, I receive another invoice asking for more..?

Question

So..after making a settlement payment which was supposed to end any more collection attempts, I get another invoice asking for the remaining balance.
I call their accounting department and they tell me that they never sent out any such settlement offer but they did receive my payment. the operator, who wont give me her name, tells me that she can offer me a settlement offer right on the spot though.
I tell her I already received a settlement offer and paid it. She told me to fax a copy of that settlement in and said that the agency would know what to do.
I'm feeling a bit nervous about this..seems to me like something fishy is going on here.
Why would they have no record of the settlement offer being sent? What should I do? Thanks!

Oh and yes, I did receive the settlement offer in writing. In fact, the collection agency sent it to me in their official stationary and it even has the name of their Director of Payment Control and her signature.

Answer 1

This happened to my father. He made a settlement, and didn't get it in writing, made the payment, and received another letter requesting for the remainder of the balance. You have to realize one thing about these companies (no offense to anyone): They are leeches. If they can take any money from you they will and the only defense you have is get everything in writing. NEVER NEVER do anything without gettting it in writing. And make NO payments without it.

If you made a settlement and have it in writing. Good for you, you're in a very good situation. Send the person a COPY of the settlement letter and a copy of your payment. Go from there. If you do not have it in writing, this will be an expensive lesson for you(sorry to say)

Answer 2

If you have a copy of the settlement agreement/offer, fax it to them, but do keep your original copy for later use. If you agreed to a 'settlement' verbally, you're in a heap of trouble.

Answer 3

If you didn't get the settlement in writing, in advance of the payment, then unforunately there isn't anything you can do.

This is a common tactic of a collection agency...so beware.

Answer 4

Write them or call them and ask for evidence of the debt. as quickly as you get that interior the mail you ought to use it as a bargaining ingredient. you be attentive to the quantity due then see what they're going to furnish, money repay. as quickly as they settle for the repay, they can't come once you. yet once you're frightened, do no longer provide them your account numbers (EVER!), deliver a verify or cashier verify or money order. yet, did you be attentive to that as quickly as you compromise, you are able to desire to declare the unpaid quantity on your taxes because of the fact the tip of the year? pay attention of this. this is mandatory. great which you would be able to be paying off your bills!!