I have 3 accounts with 2 different creditors (credit cards...CCB & 1st Premier) that were charged off back when I was younger & dumber. They were charged off in 2000 and are due to stay on my report until 2007. Both accounts went to outside collection agencies, and remain with them to this day, yet only the ORIGINAL creditors (CCB & 1st Premier) are reporting the chargeoffs. I want to get them settled ASAP, as I plan to apply for a mortgage soon. These are my questions: 1.) Do I have any leverage in asking for a deletion in return for payment? I know the debts will be validated...they're mine, no doubt about it. I'm in the process of validating them anyway though. But I've tried talking to the original creditors about the accounts and they could care less, as the accounts have been written off and sent to outside CA's. When I speak with the CA's, all they say is "we don't report to the credit bureaus...we only report to the original creditor that it's been paid and it's up to them what they put on your file". Sounds like I'm in limbo and at their mercy. 2.) If I don't have much leverage, what's the best course of action to take, especially with the original creditors? I'm relatively new to all of this and haven't seemed to find much info here that was specific to THIS problem. I'm even willing to settle for a neutral rating...can anybody help? I'm not being hassled, and I haven't been getting phone calls or letters since the accounts are 1-2 years old. I figured I'd just be proactive and get this done and cleared up, but I only want to do what's in MY best interest.
