Collection Agency

[Datgirl]

I contacted a collections agency (Stalling Financial) about a collections on my credit report.  I asked them if I paid the debt, will they delete from my credit file.  They said they will not delete but will show a balance of zero.  How will that affect my score?

Thanks

[azsassycat]

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE!!!

Start by reading Credit Scoring 101:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=ficoscoring&thread.id=2654

then, read and use the Pay for Delete Example Letter (PFD):

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=generalcredit&message.id=2659

The CA will not work for you unless you make them - most of my CAs have been responsive to the PFD letters.

Let us know if you have any more questions.  Good Luck!

Cathleen

[azsassycat]

Forgot - never talk to CA's by phone, do it all in writing.

Also, do not sign the PFD letter.

Cathleen

[Datgirl]

Thanks - why shouldn't I sign the letter?

[Anonymous]

girl, sassy is offering some sound advice.

What are the details of the collection? How long has it been in collections? Do you know who the OC(original creditor) is? Who's the OC? How much do you owe?

I had a collection removed and all the baddies that went with it, by making initial contact with CA, and THEN did all my negotiations/payoff with OC.

CA's will say anything/do anything to get you to pay. Many are unethical. ALL are ruthless. They may sound nice on the phone, but believe you me, they aren't. They just want your money.

[Anonymous]

That's great! I just asked that question in another thread about success with PFDs. I'm so happy that's worked for people.

[Anonymous]

It can work for you. Work the system so the system will work for you.

Good luck.

[Datgirl]

Here are the details of both collection:

• Stallings Financial for Utility Bill - $506  posted Jul 2005

• CBCS for MCI - $215 posted March 2006

Currently my credit scores are about 648 across the board.  Aiming for 700+ to get a good mortgage.

Suggestions???

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I would try the OC's first to get a PFD.

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@Datgirl wrote:

Here are the details of both collection:

• Stallings Financial for Utility Bill - $506 posted Jul 2005

• CBCS for MCI - $215 posted March 2006

Currently my credit scores are about 648 across the board. Aiming for 700+ to get a good mortgage.

Suggestions???

Thanks

---

[Anonymous]

we are trying to pay off some 1 1/2 old collections and i was reading the PFD example letter what if you dont have the money to pay the account in full but still want it deleted off your account. What do you do?