topic Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account in Rebuilding Your Credit

AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:10:14 GMT

Hello everyone!

I hope you all are remaining well and safe during these times! Like most, I have begun to utilize this time at home to get my life and finances back on track. After reviewing my credit report, I see that I had an old AT&T account (current balance is $84) which was sent to collections and picked up last month by Franklin Collections. I did a bit of digging and see that the balance due of $84 is correct as I did not pay the last month bill before I moved out of the country. This is definitely something that I can take care of and pay today, but I see two possible options, and would like your advice on which step to take:

Pay off AT&T directly
1. This sounds appealing because 1) they still have my account on file and I can pay online. 2) I would potentially want to re-start service with the company and don't want to be on their black list. My only concern is that AT&T is not reporting to the CRAs, so how would this affect the collection account listed on my CR?
Give Franklin a call and offer to pay for the debt (either in full or partially) in exchange for a deletion of the collections trade line from all CRAs. My only concern here is that I wouldn't be in good graces with AT&T when I will inevitable need to secure internet services again.

Ideally I'd like to pay AT&T and have Franklin remove the collection, as the original creditor has received their payment. Is this even possible? Anyone have suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:33:30 GMT

@Anonymous As far as I know AT&T doesn't sell their collection accounts; they only assign them to various bill collectors. If you can still log in to your AT&T online account you will be able to pay them directly.

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I failed to pay the last month's bill when I gave up my landline and it was sent to collection. After poking around AT&T's website I realized I could still log in to my account, so I did and paid them directly. After I paid them I was no longer able to log in to my account but about 2 weeks later the collection was removed from my credit report.

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

FireMedic1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:20:44 GMT

Welcome @Anonymous

@Anonymousgave great advice. Now my turn. Get off the couch and go to a AT&T store face to face and talk to the manager. Tell them your intentions that you'll pay right then. You want to keep service and could you please remove the CA since you paid them. Good Luck!

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:27:04 GMT

@FireMedic1 even better advice but I was keying in on this statement "as I did not pay the last month bill before I moved out of the country." Assuming the OP is back in the US your advice would be the better course of action although it doesn't appear they currently have AT&T service.

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

FireMedic1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:29:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@FireMedic1 even better advice but I was keying in on this statement "as I did not pay the last month bill before I moved out of the country." Assuming the OP is back in the US your advice would be the better course of action although it doesn't appear they currently have AT&T service.

@Anonymous Ooops. I just woke up from a nap. Wasnt with the program first. And then had my new NFCU More Rewards show up. Misconbobulated. LOL!

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:31:38 GMT

@FireMedic1 Enjoy your new NFCU card

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

FireMedic1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 23:49:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@FireMedic1 Enjoy your new NFCU card

Thanks @Anonymous Now Im with it again. After a power nap and wake up you feel like a truck hit you.

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 00:30:34 GMT

Thanks y'all!

@FireMedic1 wrote:
Welcome @Anonymous
@Anonymousgave great advice. Now my turn. Get off the couch and go to a AT&T store face to face and talk to the manager. Tell them your intentions that you'll pay right then. You want to keep service and could you please remove the CA since you paid them. Good Luck!

Re: AT&T and Franklin Collections Account

FireMedic1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 11:16:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks y'all!
@FireMedic1 wrote:
Welcome @Anonymous
@Anonymousgave great advice. Now my turn. Get off the couch and go to a AT&T store face to face and talk to the manager. Tell them your intentions that you'll pay right then. You want to keep service and could you please remove the CA since you paid them. Good Luck!

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!