How to Get Paid Collections Deleted Off Your Credit

Negative information on credit reports, like collections, can seriously impede your ability to get new financing, mortgages, or even a job. In order to achieve and maintain financial freedom, it's important to maintain a strong credit report. Deleting old collections accounts that have been paid in full is a significant step forward in the fight to regain good credit. There are several methods you can try to get these accounts paid, and each account will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Instructions

Dispute the Credit Report

1

Pull a copy of your credit report. The government-mandated website in the Resources sections gives all Americans one free credit report each year.

2

Confirm the collection is both still on your credit report and reporting as paid in full. If the credit report is still reporting a balance, you'll need to dispute the information with the particular credit bureau---either Trans Union, Equifax, or Experian.

3

Pull a copy of your credit report from the particular credit bureau with whom you're filing a dispute. Find the ten digit confirmation number on the credit report. Log on to the homepage of the credit bureau to whom you plan to file a dispute. Use the online dispute form, and using the ten digit confirmation number provided on the credit report, file the dispute. It may take up to 6 weeks to receive a response.

4

Ask the bureaus to remove the debt. Call the general information line listed on the credit bureau's homepage. Once you're through to a human, ask to speak with an account services representative---this will be a person in charge of monitoring fraud alerts, identity theft, and updates to actual reports.

5

Ask this account services representative to remove the paid collections. Prepare to have your argument well-rehearsed as you may only have few minutes to plead your case. If turned down, ask to speak with a supervisor and repeat the same process.

Goodwill Letter

6

Write a goodwill letter to the credit bureaus if the above process doesn't work.

7

Research different types of goodwill letters. Most are simple and straightforward letters from consumers seeking an exception to policy with the removal of certain negative information.

8

Make the letter official. Use your own letterhead and do not write longhand. Be professional and courteous, but at the same time, plead your case passionately. Try to find common ground between yourself and whoever will be reading the letter.

9

Make the letter no more than one page long---preferably shorter. The simpler and more concise your argument, the better luck you'll have. Write several drafts and have a colleague edit for clarity, syntax, and structure.

10

Send the letter to the address listed on the credit bureau's website. Prepare to wait at least six weeks before receiving a response.