I was told by two separate collection agencies that it would be "illegal practice" for them to remove a paid collection account. Is this accurate information? Would I be better served to contact the original creditor and ask them for deletion? Thank you in advance for your time.
This is a bold face lie that the agencies tell everyone, you can contact the original creditor and probably have better luck getting it removed though.
Is there some documentation or somewhere specific in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (that was one of the reasons I was given that they couldn't remove it) that would specifically state they can remove it? I will try to contact the original creditors, but would like to have the "legalese" to call these agencies on such a misrepresentation.
The time to negotiate for deletion is before you send them any money. Any settlement arrangements should include a provision for any derogatory information to be deleted from the credit file, on the part of the origial creditor and the collection agency. It is not illegal, immoral, or otherwise unethical to do so. It is not illegal for a creditor to removed negative information that they put there from a credit file. Any tales to the contrary are a bunch of crap. They just don't want to do any extra work once they've gotten the money out of you. They want you to think that black mark on your credit history is your punishment for being a bad person who didn't pay their bills. Shame on you! Remember, if you owe money, you have the leverage. Once you pay it, all of the leverage is gone. The time to make demands is before you pay.
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I paid these accounts off 3 years ago (they still have 3 years left) without having the information that I have since gleaned from this board. Do you think it would be worth the effort to try to contact the original creditors and ask for deletion since I have already given all my leverage away by paying?
It's worth a try, particularly if you paid the full amount due and finances charges and other fees. You will have to write to everyone who has reported this on your credit history. If the account is three years old, then it might be worth just disputing it directly with the CRA. It's a good possibility that they won't be able to verify it, especially with the original creditor, as it's paid and off their books.
On what grounds could I dispute these accounts on? I obviously can't say they aren't mine, so can I dispute concerning the age?
Just a suggestion- Try claiming that it was paid prior to collections. If they cannot verify what date it was sent to the collection agency, or the date you paid it then the item must be removed. Or just claim the closing date. But that proves that it was a collection account. Good luck, Rock
RE: Thank you to all Thank you for the advice. I will investigate my options a little further and then incorporate the suggestions that I have received. I just want to thank those who are serious in posting useful information to others on this board. I have learned a wealth of information that I will implement in future endeavors. My only regret is that I didn't discover this particular source at a much earlier date.
RE: Thank you to all Hi Al, I read your post and wanted to share some information I learned yesterday. I am cleaning up somethings from a divorce. I was also told, like you were, that the collection agency could not remove the negative entry. I had a legititmate problem with a doctor bill that the insurance company had not paid because Blue Cross had made a mistake on my effective date of coverage. After resolving the issue with Blue Cross, I contacted Transunion, explained the situation and asked if it was illigal for a collection agency to remove an item from my file. I was told it was not illigal, anything they report they can change, and this came straight from the CRA's mouth. Also, a way you could dispute the items on your credit report, maybe you could say your amounts do not agree, if they can not verify it, it is gone. Hope this helps a little.
RE: Thank you to all It was very helpful information. Especially regarding the collection agency removing entries. Thank you.
