Paying to Remove Collections on Credit Report

Question

I have 7 collection accounts on my credit report, and I am willing to pay them off. But I really want them removed. what is the first step in doing this?

Response

You’re in a good position if you’re willing to pay them off. Write a letter to each of the collection agencies stating that you are willing to pay in full if they can provide in writing that they will remove the entries from your credit report. This usually works great.

About Author

Ryan Greeley

Ryan Greeley is the Editor-In-Chief of BetterCreditBlog.org, where he oversees publishing and content creation. In addition, Ryan has written about credit extensively over the past 10 years for publications such as Lifehacker, BuzzFeed, and The Huffington Post.

Comments (5)

Jennifer Gomez
Do you recommend paying the original debtor or,the collection agency?
Reply
- Ryan Greeley
  Try to contact the original creditor first. If they’ve sold it to the collector, you’ll have to deal with them most likely.
  Reply
Aimee S.
Hello Ryan,
You have great advice on here! I am currently working on repairing my credit and following your articles.
Can you advise what to do when you have contacted the collection company and they stated that removal unless disputed as errors is against company policy? FYI- I spoke with an agent first, then the customer service department, then their manager and none of them said they could help. I explained my sotuation and they told me it is nothing personal and they would remove it to help me if they could.
Here’s my situation: I waa recently accepted into a competitve, prestigious graduate study program and due to my poor credit score and derogatories, I am being rejected on loan applications. My school program is not qualified for federal aid and so, I can only apply for provate student loans. My credit has roughly 6 collections, and 7 late payments, both of which include federal aid money from when I borrowed when I was studying as an undergraduate. Now, I need to take a loan to start school this summer.
Stuck with 500s,
Aimee S.
Reply
Hannah B
Let’s say you receive the letter from collection agency that they’ve agreed to remove negative entries on credit report after payment, but they don’t follow through with removal. Is that something that I would have to continue to fight with collection agency about-or I can I present that letter to credit bureaus for removal?
Reply
- Ryan Greeley
  I’d bug the hell out of the collection agency until they take action.
  Reply