phony debt collector

Why is the debt collector phony? Someone place a debt with them....they are simply doing the job they are paid to do.

Who placed the debt with the collection agency? Is that who you paid? You need to be calling them.

You should ask the debt collector to validate the debt. Send documents to the collection agency to prove that you have paid off the debt. If the collection agency can't prove that you really owe the debt, send a cease and desist letter to them. However, if it is an additional hospital bill that you have not repaid, then negotiate with the accounts department of the hospital authority/collection agency and settle the debt.

If you have paid off the debt, then you must have the documents that prove that you have paid it off. Then, ytou should follow the information and procedure given by Florence.

Generally, you will receive several bills for surgery (hospital/facility bill, doctor/physician, your family doctor (if s/he visited you while you were in the hospital), anesthesia, xrays, rehab, etc. Are you sure this isn't a different bill from the one you paid? Does your father have insurance and you're paying the difference? I would call the insurance company to find out what amount you should be paying out of pocket. Sometimes you will receive a bill before insurance has paid so the amount due is technically incorrect.