Need help asap with 3rd attempt PFD, what do i say??

[Anonymous]

(I've learned so much through these forums, thank you!)

I've happily already had success with 2 PFD's! However,

this one with Affiliated Collections Inc. is stubborn.

Long story short—

1) Sent first PFD asking for a % of balance owed and delete.

They said they don't settle, need to pay full amount. 

2) Sent second PFD saying i would pay full amount of $640

for their deletion. They wrote back saying they are governed

by State and Fed. Laws and once an account is listed, unless

there is a specific reason, they can not remove it from the file

only update the account for change in status.

I'm trying really hard to clean up my CR in order to qualify

for a first home mortgage. Is this a valid reason in which they

might accept my PFD? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you...

[RobertEG]

There is no federal or state law that prohibits a CA from deleting their prior account with the CRAs.

It is, however, an administrative guideline that is included in the credit reporting manual that the CAs subscribe to as a condition for their credit reporting to a CRA.  Their manual specifically states that a collection account is not to be deleted on the basis of payment of the debt.  But that is just a guideline, and not based on law.  When a CA deletes, they dont have to provide any reason to the CRA, just update the status to deleted.  So the CRA has no way of ever enforcing this guideline, even if they chose to do so.  And I have never heard of a CRA challenging a reported deletion of an account by a creditor.

What you are seeing is simply CA policy, and trying to make it sound official by saying to do so would be a violation of law.  That is nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much RobertEG. I appreciate your explanation... Now I'm wondering, is

it ok to do a 3rd PFD?? Since they are looking for a 'specific reason', is it wise to

write a semi-GW letter combined with a PFD—they would get an explanation of

my hardships at the time of the collection, as well as another appeal to get the

accounts deleted. Also, is there a limit to the # of PFDs you can send? Or is

persistence the key? I've recently sent out 3 PFDs—one to RJM who accepted

my offer (less than 25% of the balance!!!) and a medical collection. This one would

be the last and I am determined to have success with it as well!

Any help is again appreciated,

Thank you.

[RobertEG]

Yes I would continue to make PFD offers to them.  But not to plead any request for good will on their part.  Keep it simply to your offer to pay in exchange for their agreemet to delete.

You have offered them everything financially that they could ever hope for.  Money in their pocket.

It costs them zero, ziltch, to delete thier prior credit reporting.  That is administrative BS.  They would probably care nothing about whether your 'dawg just died. your roof is a'leakin, your wife just left you. you lost your job, you need mortgage loan approval, etc.

[Anonymous]

Wow, ok. So be persistent with the regular PFD letter I've been sending.

I've used a form letter (changed a bit) from these forums. So just keep

sending the same letter? Do I need to keep sending them CM-RRR also?

I've done this for the first 2 PFDs, just wondering if it matters? Can i just

send normal mail? Or just RRR? Thanks again!!!