My understanding is that they provide the demographics on those whose scores are moving upwards, reflecting that this person is tuned into his/her credit reports and is actively working to improve his/her profile. The CA's can then compare your personal info against lists of old debts to see if they can find a match. The assumption would be that this person would be more likely to pay collections in an attempt to keep the improved credit profile. (Even though this doesn't work, unless there is a PFD.)
There is a thriving newish industry in junk debt buyers, who buy old and otherwise dubious debt and then go after the supposed debtor. They buy the debt so cheaply that they don't really care how much of the announced debt that is paid, because it's almost all profit.
I apologize; I didn't mean to freak you out even more. I post this about once a month so that new members can understand how dirty this game can be played, and realize that when these people come out of the walls like cockroaches, it's often not by coincidence.
* Credit is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. * Who's the boss --you or your credit?
FICO's: EQ 781 - TU 793 - EX 779 (from PSECU) - Done credit hunting; having fun with credit gardening. - EQ 590 on 5/14/2007