I literally sent money for the debt and do not have anymore

What the title says. When I was trying to figure out how much I owed, and tried contacting the 2 debr companies, they both said they no longer own the debt. It was not until wrote to contest it as I had done everything to contact, and pay the debt. That either I needed to know the amount and pay, or not. They then wrote off on my credit report as not able to collect. Which is how I FINALLY was able to get the address and the amount owed. So then I sent the money early February for that amount owed.

Now this week there was a debt collector called and emailing staring that Verizon Wireless (they and the internet are separate) was wanting payment of the debt.

For which was now is $200 more than what I'd sent. I do not have a checkbook and had mailed a check to Verizon Wireless's address (it was the main address) do I contest the check sent by bank, or do I just reply to the debt collector they had gotten the situation?