Money order madness.

QA I used a money order to pay off my credit card bill. The company is claiming that it has not received my payment. However, I have proof that their bank has cashed the payment. I have been told to mail copies of my money order, which I have done three times. Now, my account has been sent to a debt collector and the company says I must wait for them to do an investigation. I've also filed a complaint with my attorney general. Do I really need to sit back and wait for my credit to continue to deteriorate?

S. Nwankwo

Pine Bluff, AK

I've racked my brain considering your question, and out of all of the methods to pay a bill--check, debit, credit, direct debit--a money order would be the second worst way, next to cash, that I would recommend as a form of payment.

However, I think you are on the right track to having this resolved. I would definitely track down the president of the division in the company in question and the same goes for the debt collector. Instead of calling, write certified letters to each. Include proof of your money order and proof that it was cashed. You should also send a copy of the letter to your state attorney general's office. Notify the three major credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, alerting them of the situation. It may take a while to rectify, but whatever you do, don't give up.

--Tanisha A. Sykes