Credit Collection Agencies ? What is the deal?

I have recently recieved a copy of all three credit reports and found that collection agencies are listed on each ststing I have outstanding balances. I have paid the creditors off directly yet the agencies are reporting this as being unpaid since I did not go thru them. Is this legal? I have been denied credit because of this and need to know what to do to remove this from my credit reports and get on with my life. thanks

Dispute them as not belonging to you. Some may drop off by just doing that.

If all of them don't come off, post again and we'll go from there.