Help!

[Anonymous]

I monitor my CR every morning using CCT. This morning I saw an 18 point drop! I looked into my report as to why and I see a new collections account.from AARGON AGENCY. I called them to figure out what it was and I guess I forgot to pay a measly $162 utility bill with ameren when I left an apartment 3 years ago. I informed them I never recieved any correspondence on the matter but am trying to set myself up to purchase a home and asked them if they would consider PFD for the $162 then so I could be done with it. They informed me they "don't do that". What should I do? Pay it then send a GW letter? Press the PFD more? Thanks all

[Anonymous]

Try contacting the UTILITY company and pay them direct and have them recall from the collection agency and remove from report.   If they don't agree to that - I had success in paying the OC directly and then disputing the CA because they didn't have authorization to collect anymore.   It's worth a shot.  

[Anonymous]

Update: I called Ameren as advised. They told me my balance owed was $132 (different from what CA is reporting) and that I couldn't pay over the phone because the account was older but I could swing by after work and pay it in full this afternoon. I am going to go that route. After that I just wait a few weeks then send the CA a DV letter correct? Thanks much

[Anonymous]

I just disputed it with each report - TU, EQ, and EX directly with a copy of the receipt.    Ex dropped within a day, EQ and TU within a week or so.   I don't know if that is the 'official' way to do it = but it worked. 

[Anonymous]

Update: I paid ameren in full yesterday, then filed a dispute with exp, and uploaded my ameren reciept to experian's upload site. Today the collection is gone. Thanks for the advice!

[Anonymous]

---

09ROPSI wrote:

Update: I paid ameren in full yesterday, then filed a dispute with exp, and uploaded my ameren reciept to experian's upload site. Today the collection is gone. Thanks for the advice!

---

It seems pretty flawed, but it does have me thinking. I have one collection account left for $878 and I've asked the CA for a PFD many times and asked the OC to recall. I'm wondering if the OC will just take payment and I can dispute it using his reciept? I have to pay it regardless in preperation for a home loan in the not so distant future.