As recommended, I have read read read and am starting to get a good idea of what's in store for me. Thank you to all that are so helpful to people like myself as we begin this daunting journey. Here are my details: I have relatively little to remove, thankfully, but what is on there is prohibiting me from getting credit cards on my own, or for getting a personal loan to help us pay for our upcoming wedding. By way of background, I went through a significant failure of a personal business that put me WAY behind on payments on my car loan (Ford Motor Credit), unable to pay two very small medical bills, and a collection account on an old Verizon bill when I left them due to a billing dispute they refused to resolve. I've since moved my business to a city where it's doing better and I'm eager to get my credit report clean. Here is what is reported: 1) Ford Motor Credit: Paid Charge Off. Balance $0; Actual Paid Amount: $1700; Charge Off Amount $2800. I was unable to keep up with my payments and January of 2010, the car got charged off for $2800. In March of 2010, I asked to settle the account, and they asked me to pay $1700 to satisfy and close the account. I paid the $1700, but I still have this negative "charge off" on my credit report, which I would like to have removed, if at all possible. When calling Ford Motor Credit and asking if I could pay the full $2800, I was told that I do not owe anything further and there is nothing TO pay off. 2) Verizon Wireless (sold to Pinnacle Credit Services). Balance: $526; Status: In Collection. Essentially, I had gone into a Verizon store to up my minutes as I knew I'd have a high month coming. They failed to make the change and I ended up with an $800 over-minutes fee. I paid it in full, but continued to dispute it for 6 months with no satisfaction. On the 6th month (after monthly calls), I was told by a rep that there WAS a way to change my minutes as a one time courtesy to take care of that large bill, but because I had missed the 6 month window, she could not help me. Even though she had records of me calling about this issue every single month for the past 5, "her hands were tied" as we missed that window. I hung up, walked over to AT&T and switched my phone provider and told Verizon I refused to pay them another cent. Obviously, this has backfired on me, as I now have this $526 balance on my credit report. As much as I HATE to pay this money, if it gets it off of my report, then $526 is worth it. What do you all suggest? Pay in full for Delete? Offer a settlement amount as a pay for delete? I hate to lose the money, but I need this stupid thing gone. 3) Medical Bill (sold to Account Management Services). Collection Amt: $90; Original Bill: $65; Status: collection account. This one I simply didn't know about. I had medical insurance and assumed the bill had been paid by insurance. Apparently $65 of it was not covered by insurance. Again, I'd like this to disappear, and am willing to pay it. How best to proceed? Thank you all for your help. I'll continue to read and read and read. It's all VERY helpful! Billy
