advanced credit recovery

That's extortion! Have you ever received a letter of collection via the mail? Ever? Can you tell me what the name of the original lender was?

Collection agencies are required by federal law (FDCPA) to send a letter of collection via the mail, within 5 days of their first initial contact with you, once you receive the letter, you will have 30 days to dispute it, within that 30 day period, dispute the debt and send them a validation letter demanding they prove it is a legit debt. During the validation period all collection efforts must cease. I wouldn't pay them again, just inform them you want a letter of collection via the mail, and until you receive it you will not speak to them again on the phone.

File a complaint against them with the FTC, BBB and your attorney general's office, you can file all 3 complaints online, and tell them you have filed complaints. Make sure you detail what happened to you in the complaints.

Your situation is an example of why you need to have an agreement in writing or at least recorded. I learned the hard way, twice. The first time they told me they did not agree to the settlement and demanded the remaining balance. The second time they took more than the agreed amount from my account. After these two hard lessons I learned to record my calls. I had 2 collectors try the same thing when I was recording. They paid back everything they took plus more and the debts were paid off by the collection agencies.

I forgot to add that these types of deceptive tactics are a violation of Texas law and maybe your state law. Most states have some kind of law against deceptive practices.