CA can't produce a bill

what you need to do is send the collection agency a debt validation request letter, sent certified mail return receipt requested. That will force them to either validate the debt or stop trying to collect it.

Once you send that letter, the post office will send you back a green signature card as proof that the CA received it. Keep that card, as well as a copy of the DV letter you sent them--it is now evidence.

Now, I tend to wait a couple weeks, then I contact the credit reporting agency--trans union, experian, and equifax, whichever of those they have reported this debt on--and dispute this debt wherever it appears. By disputing with the CA first, you have legally taken away their ability to verify the report to the credit bureaus. Verifying the report as accurate on your credit report falls under 'collection activity', and as such is not permitted once the CA has received your DV letter. By sending a validaiton request, the CA now has to stop all collection activity until they provide you with proof of the debt. So, do it that way, and if they still continue to verify it to the credit bureaus, send the CA another certified letter informing them that they are now violating federal law and demand that they remove the entry completely from your reports, or you will take legal action against them.

Exactly. Thank you Guest! :D

Never, ever pay what you don't owe! People tend to pay before they have written proof of what is owed and who legally holds the account, usually because they are intimidated by collectors. Always protect yourself by getting things in writting before paying.

Validation of the debt should have to be something in writing from the original creditor proving that the debt is yours and that CA is now the rightful owner and/or collector the debt.?

Well, that's the way it should be, I think. However, you may need to write to the original creditor and ask for a complete breakdown of their charges and whether the account was sold or contracted out.