Thread: Multiple agencies, same debt

Hi, I have two collection agencies trying to collect on the same debt. Both post different, but similar amounts and their start dates are about a month or two apart. The debt came when I turned my cell phone off before moving out to the east coast(company doesn't operate here), and I didn't know that there was a residual balance on my account after closing. I want to pay it quickly to get rid of it to improve my score, but I don't want to have to pay twice for something I should only have to pay for once. Also, I have a debt from an old cell phone I shut off from 2005. Apparently, after I called the company to cancel the service, they never bothered to cancel it, and there's a $900 bill attached to the account. How do I dispute that now that it's in collections? These are the only three negative items on my account and I want them to disappear because I'm looking into getting a mortgage soon...Thanks for the help.

The burden of proof is on the creditors/collection agencies and they are required by law to provide proof of accuracy in what is reported on your credit report, so you can begin by disputing the accuracy. If they can't prove it, the negatives must be removed from your report.