How to Get a Collections Report Off of Your Credit Report File

A collection report that appears on your credit report file can harm your credit score and borrowing ability. As a collection is typically an indication you failed to pay your bill on time or at all, most lenders tend to shy away from approving loan applications with credit reports containing such information. You can contact a creditor or debt collector to have this information removed or amended if the information is inaccurate.

Instructions

1

Call the debt collections agency or the creditor that reported the collection on your credit report file.

2

Request that the collection report be removed from your file. If the reason for the collection record is because you owe money, negotiate its removal by stating you will pay the debt. Notify the creditor or debt collector you will pay them once you have the agreement in writing. The creditor or debt collector may state they cannot revise the collection record. If this is the case, ask them to revise it to "Paid" only. This classification is less negative than "Paid Charge-off" or "Paid Collection."

3

Issue payment once you have the letter from the creditor or debt collector stating it will remove or revise the collection record.

4

Look at your credit report for any negative inaccurate information. This can include bankruptcies, judgments, late payments and collection activity that is incorrect.

5

Mail letters to each of major consumer credit bureaus disputing information in your credit report. The major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Provide your name, address and the details of your dispute in each letter. Send your letters certified, return-receipt mail. This gives you proof of receipt and the date the bureaus received your dispute.

6

Receive the investigation results. Thirty days after the credit bureaus receive your dispute letters, they are required to have completed an investigation into the matter. The results of the investigation must be furnished to you in writing. You are permitted to a free credit report if any changes are made to your report as a result of the investigation.