Send a calm, clear letter to the collection agency stating that
you have already paid, and when. If possible, include a copy of
the cancelled check or other documentation. Also write to the
original creditor to let them know that the agency is still
wasting time working the debt.

As far as their ultumatum, collection agencies set these sorts of
"time limits" frequently. The letters and the "time limits" are
standardized and spit out of a computer. Did they even say what
they were going to *do* if you didn't meet the deadline?
Did they even threaten anyting at all, except "Or we will continue
with collection actions"? Often, if the debtor doesn't meet the
"time limit," all the collectors will *do* is simply send another
letter. They are simply trying to generate urgency, because the
chances for recovery decrease as time passes.

Make sure the original creditor has received your payment, and
applied it to the account properly. Then, if the collection
agency keeps bothering you, then you can simply order them to
stop. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they must
comply. Be sure to point that out in your letter. You can find
the full text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the
*Credit Laws* section (select from the menu at left.)

Good Luck

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Comments:
: First of all, don't panic. : It sounds as if there has been some lack of communication. : If you paid directly to the original creditor, then they might not : have notified the collection agency about it. : If you paid the collection agency, they may have some kind of : automated-scheduled system for sending out letters, and your slot : wasn't deleted yet. : Send a calm, clear letter to the collection agency stating that : you have already paid, and when. If possible, include a copy of : the cancelled check or other documentation. Also write to the : original creditor to let them know that the agency is still : wasting time working the debt. : As far as their ultumatum, collection agencies set these sorts of : "time limits" frequently. The letters and the "time limits" are : standardized and spit out of a computer. Did they even say what : they were going to *do* if you didn't meet the deadline? : Did they even threaten anyting at all, except "Or we will continue : with collection actions"? Often, if the debtor doesn't meet the : "time limit," all the collectors will *do* is simply send another : letter. They are simply trying to generate urgency, because the : chances for recovery decrease as time passes. : Make sure the original creditor has received your payment, and : applied it to the account properly. Then, if the collection : agency keeps bothering you, then you can simply order them to : stop. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they must : comply. Be sure to point that out in your letter. You can find : the full text of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the : *Credit Laws* section (select from the menu at left.) : Good Luck

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