Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Georgia

You leave out important details. If the collection agency is the appropriate owner of the account, or has the right to collect, then they are the party to pay. You may have paid someone who does not even own the account. If you are asking if that is a valid tactic to avoid a negative entry on your credit report, no.

This has been asked and answered. If your debt went to collection with a collection agency and you chose to settle with the original creditor, the collection agency can report it. It sounds like the information is correct; but again, a lawyer would need to see your report.