I've been working on my credit for quite some time and am down to a few stickies. In 2003 I had an emergency room episode that wound up on my report from a collection agency. I paid the collection then in 06 when refinancing a new/different collection appeared. When I called they said they had sent requests via regular mail (I have no recollection of from this company) and that this was for a different medical bill for the same instance (IE surgeon vs. hospital or something of the sort). My issue in leveraging the pay off was that the lender for my new mortgage had already cut a check for the full amount and the CA agent told me the only way he wouldn't report was with a CC over the phone. I did not want to pay 2x. In retrospect I either should have or figured out how to cancel the check and have funds returned to me (from check written to CA from lender). Since then I have sent the CA letters requesting account validation on my own and through Lexington Law. All have been verified. My question is should I try a 'nutcase letter' OR request a wav file notifying them of this conversation (if it was illegal?) OR can I hire an attorney (can't find any credit atty's online and the ones I do find are too busy with bankruptcies due to economy and are no longer practicing simple credit). Any advise would help - I'm stuck at 688 and trying to get over 7oo - thanks in advance!
I forgot to mention it's showing on TU and Experian and NOT on Equifax. I'm scared to take any action that would result in them reporting back to Equifax.
If the DOFD is in 2003, my vote is just wait for them to fall off next year. At this point, they are having a very small impact to your FICO. If everything else is in your file is healthy, you could spend the rest of the year sending letters and sounding crazy, etc. and MAYBE get them off (and see your score go up 10-15 points, tops) or you could just wait until next year when they'll fall off by themselves. At this point, I'd just wait.
