topic Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear in Rebuilding Your Credit

Time needed for a collection to disappear

Anonymous — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:20:19 GMT

Not sure if this is the right category...it seemed closest.

I have a collection on my credit report for an old AT&T account. I moved, transferred my service, and they set up a duplicate account and never closed the old one. I didn't know about it until a few weeks ago, and ATT customer service was happy to fix it. Does anyone know how long it will take for the collection to come off my credit report? I'd like to pull my report again, since the collection is listed as of a few weeks ago, but I don't want to pull it before the collection is removed.

I'm assuming ATT will pull the account back from collections, since it was their mistake, and they removed the balance on the account...or will I have to send a debt validation letter to the collection agency before they will remove it?

Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear

Booner72 — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:33:17 GMT

Hi there - I think this is the perfect place for your post.

Did AT&T tell you that they would get it off your reports? If they did tell you that, did they say how long that would take? When I had a collection deleted it just took a few days for all three credit bureaus to get the info updated.

Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:05:24 GMT

ATT didn't say anything about getting it off my reports. I had mentioned that it was affecting my credit when I talked to them, and I got a call back while I was at work, so I didn't answer...they left a voicemail saying they cleared the balance on the account and it was all set. Maybe I guess I'll just let it go for the moment, I'm not planning on buying anything I need credit for in the near future...if it's still there in a couple months, would a DV letter to the collection agency be the best way to go, or would a phone call suffice?

Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear

Booner72 — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:16:25 GMT

Even if you aren't going to buy something on credit anytime soon - this is a case of mis-reporting and it is up to AT&T to get this off your credit reports.

I know it's a time-consuming and exhausting process, but my advice is to stay on AT&T until it is off your reports.

Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear

LIGHTNIN — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:03:11 GMT

A recent CA can hurt a score as much as 80-90pts. Ouch! I know your not looking for credit, but this will be on your CR for 7.5yrs.

It can also cause problems with getting a CC or getting an apartment, your car/house insurance maybe go up.

I would suggest to take care of this, while it is still fresh in everyone's mind.

Contact AT&T, tell them you want a letter stating this was a mistake.

This account should have not been sent to the CA and you want it removed..

Once you have this letter, send it to the CA and the CRA who is reporting this CA.

Better safe, then sorry. You never know when, you may need credit in the future.

Re: Time needed for a collection to disappear

sassymomof2 — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:33:12 GMT

+1 I had the same situation a few years ago. I called the CA and verified the collection had been recalled. I had the CA delete from the credit reports. AT&T didn't do zip for me. The CA -I believe Franklin somebody- was extremely helpful. It was gone in a matter of days. No follow-up phone calls needed.