@Anonymous wrote:
I did just look on Wallethub at my FAKO score for Transunion and it shows it went down 6 points.
And I called Experian and did the dispute over the phone with them. It's worth trying at least.
If I paid the charges off, I would do what the other advice was...get it in writing before I paid a dime that they would delete all info from my credit reports regarding the collections.
Great work and congrats on the deletes!
Generally speaking with disputes - If you're not achieving success online or on the phone, try using letters sent with certified mail/return receipt. I actually prefer to do everything through the mail (i know it takes time, but there are many before me that have gotten better success through mail). But like the yapsalot said, KEEP on disputing, sending letters, and do not stand down. The squeaky wheel gets the oil :-)
As far as getting deletes from the collectors, i'd google for a "PFD letter" (Pay for Delete) and modify it to your liking. I've had success with sending these to some collectors and they'll sign the agreement and delete as soon as you pay. I can also vouch for the WhyChat medical methods, they are the real deal if you can invest the time/energy in following those steps.
Just a note- I'd suggest sticking to creditchecktotal.com or myfico.com scores, as those are going to be real FICOs, and the FAKOs are a bit misguided a lot of times. My FAKOs tend to vary 50-100 pts up or down from the true FICO scores, it's pretty ridiculous
Here is the PFD letter i've used with success in the past:
[Collection Agency/Creditor Name]
ADDRESS
CITY, ST ZIP
Account #: XXXXXXXX
Amount: $XXXX
To Collection Manager:
This letter is to inform you that the validity of this debt is disputed. I am unaware of this account and have no verification this debt is mine. I only know of this account based on it being reported in my credit report(s). As we both know, I have the right to dispute this account, request for verification, and/or request for validation of this debt. However, in order to quickly resolve this account, I am willing to pay $XXXX, if you agree to delete this account from any and all credit reporting agencies. Please do not quote to me that you are unable to do this, I am aware of both your rights as well as my own. We both know you are the source reporting this account and have the absolute right to report it, not report it, or delete it from all reporting agencies. The purpose of this settlement is merely to have this item removed from all reporting agencies. We are both aware that paying this unverified debt is no benefit to me unless we can agree on the terms. I am sure you are aware that paying a collection account does not bode well on a credit report and that merely having a collection on a credit report will have a negative impact whether paid or unpaid.
Please Note: This is not an acknowledgment of liability for this debt in any way or form. If there is any confusion about my position on this alleged debt, please refer back to the paragraph above on this letter in which I state: "I am unaware of this account..." That being said, let me be clear, this is NOT: a promise to pay, a renewal, an admittance to this debt, or in any way me agreeing this debt is mine. This is a restricted offer only.
If you agree to the terms and accept this agreement, I will send you certified funds immediately after I receive this signed agreement. The funds will be sent only if in exchange for it, you are agreeing to the terms set forth in this agreement and will be deleting this account from all reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This debt will be considered satisfied, there will be nothing more owed, nothing further to collect, and you will consider this a closed, satisfied account. Again, ALL references regarding this account must be deleted from ALL reporting agencies. Since certified funds will be used for payment, ALL information about this account WILL be removed from all reporting agencies within 15 calendar days of receiving the funds.
[Collection Agency/Creditor Name] agrees to delete ALL information regarding this account from ALL credit reporting agencies WITHIN FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS following receipt of payment as specified above and will not discuss the terms of this settlement with anyone, for any reason, excluding your client on this account. If contacted by any third party, including credit reporting agencies, [Collection Agency/Creditor Name] will not acknowledge that any settlement offer was made, accepted, offered, or executed and will deny knowledge of any such account.
If you agree to the above terms, please sign (by an authorized representative of [Collection Agency/Creditor Name] this agreement below, print (clearly) the name of that signature, and provide the position held by the one signing this agreement. It will be implied that this letter shall constitute a legally binding contract, enforceable under federal, state, and local laws. Please also include with this signed agreement a company letterhead stating you received and agree to this restricted offer and the terms set forth within it.
Your response must be postmarked no later then 15 Days from your receipt of this settlement/agreement offer OR this offer will be withdrawn and I will request full validation of this alleged debt, as allowed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you decide to decline this offer, and begin calling about this alleged debt, expect the next letter from me to be a Cease and Desist letter, attached with it, a request for Full Validation. Thank you for your time.
______________________________
Signature
______________________________
Print Name of the above signature
______________________________
Title or Position held
______________________________
Date
Please send this agreement, your company letterhead agreement and all other correspondence regarding this account to:
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
