Hi all--

Here is the situation:

Back last fall I ordered some checks from Checks Unlimited. I paid the amount as given on the order form. Three months later I received a notice from CU saying that my account was overdue--they said I owed $9.20. I called and spoke to a customer rep and we discovered that they had charged me the wrong price and what I owed had been paid. I requested they update the account and then send me something saying that the balance was zero.
I forgot about it and the fact the receipt stating my balance of 0 never arrived.

Fast Forward>>>>

In late January, I received a letter from a collection agency in CO (I'm in NC) saying I still owed this $9.20. I called them and explained the situation. They said send in a letter saying the debt wasn't vaild which I did (however, I sent it without confirmation that it got there--but it wasn't returned so I assumed it did.) They also suggested that I talk to CU because the problem was with their records. CU Customer reps will not talk to me about it because it has already been referred to the collection agency.

Well in February, I received a receipt from CU stating my balance was $0.00. So I thought everything was ok. Today I received a letter from the collection agency again saying I hadn't responded and it was being placed on my credit report.

So I fired off a letter that included copies of my first letter, the receipt, and their 2 letters that they sent me. I called their attention to the date on the receipt--it was dated 22 days after their first letter. I plan on sending the letter so that I get a receipt when it is delivered.

So my questions are:

1) what is my legal recourse?
2) can they really place this on my credit report without knowing my SS#?
3) if they do place it on my credit report, can I send a copy of the receipt which clearly states that my account balance is $0.00 on it to the agency as proof that I don't owe?
4) is there a government body to complain to?

Thanks for your imput.

JLG