Possible fraud, What should I do? I was told that I would not have been able to graduate if this wasnt paid.?

Question

I graduated college in 2004, Im now buying a house and I ran into problems with possibly getting financing because the college that I attended turned over a false balance of $13,770 to a collection agency. I got an itemized bill from the agency -sent from the college showing a zero balance..not to mention I've been paying student loans thru salliemae since 2004. But the balance still remains in collections and on my credit. I contacted the college and spoke to someone in financial at a minute ago who said that I do not owe a dime and they don't do business with that collection agency, I asked for that in writing and she said that I would need to speak to the manager who isn't in until tuesday. Over the last couple of years I have been trying to reach this person who refuses to return my calls. The collection agent said its because it was turned over to them-that the client will not speak w/ me directly. They also said that I need to fax them authorization to fax me--info on how I owe.

Answer 1

if you think it is a scam contact your local bbb and ask them what they think . im going throught the same thing with an apartment complex

Answer 2

Have you ever had a late balance at that college, even one that is currently paid off?  

If so, that is probably what is on your credit report.  EVEN IF THE BALANCE IS CURRENTLY PAID, the fact that you paid it late stays on your credit reports for a very long time...paid off or not.  So showing a statement of zero balance isn't really helping you much.  Your credit report is a history of your willingness and ability to make payments on time.  

If you did not pay it on time, then no matter what you do now, it will be there.  If you have never had a delinquent balance at the school, then you need to contact the 3 credit bureauus and contest that particular item.  You will have to do this in writing.  Call the credit burea for the exact documents needed to contest. Good luck.