I had an experience that I believe is more widespread than I
originally thought it was: For several years in a row, San Mateo
County Child Support Services' accounting department decided that I
was late in paying child support, despite the fact that the payments
were paid directly from my paycheck every two weeks. Because of the
accounting error (which had something to do with when the payments
were posted, and nothing to do with whether they were made on time),
my credit rating plummeted and every year thousands of dollars would
be taken from my tax returns.

Every year I would have to go through the same process to get the tax
refund sent back to me from Child Support Services, which took the
position that I had nothing to complain about because I received the
money anyway -- even if it was a few weeks late.

The credit-reporting problem was equally bad, if not worse: No matter
how many times I explained what happened, the credit-reporting
agencies would not remove the negative remarks from my record.
According to Child Support Services, I was "late" for months and
months on end -- despite the fact that each and every payment was not
only paid on time, but early!

I was told by the person in charge of the San Mateo Child Support
Services that the problem is widespread, and that it's even worse in
larger counties, such as Los Angeles.

If anyone has had a similar problem with California child-support
collecting agencies, please let me know. I'm a lawyer and I think I
have a way of doing something about it. Thanks.