Only Collections

[EaglesFan2006]

I'm at the point now where my only negatives are Collection items (2 on equifax, 4 each on Exp and TU ...2 of which i am disputing).  My only other item is student loan, which is current).  Can anyone guage how much these Collections actually hurt my score and what I could do to better the situation?  They range from 3-6 years old.

[Junejer]

The only way that your score is going to get better is when they are gone. Usually people don't see score increases until the final collection falls off. Also, if the disputes come back verified, it could possibly tank your scores as well, as the pain of the collection is brought to the forefront.

[llecs]

There are too many variables to guess on a score gain if all are removed. How old is the SL? And that is the only OC-related account reporting?

If past SOL, then go the DV route vs disputing. There are times where disputing is OK, but only if they are reporting inaccurately. Otherwise they will just verify it.

[EaglesFan2006]

the only OC item i have is student loan, which is current.

i'm pretty confident the two i'm disputing have errors, but just in case what do you mean 'brought to the forefront'...how can that make your score worse?

[Junejer]

The dispute process can make the collection "feel" like it just happened. They can't legally reage, but updates make it seem so, from a scoring standpoint.

Message Edited by ByrdMan on 03-11-2009 12:40 PM

[EaglesFan2006]

I guess my question is less about them removed and more how badly they hurt me now... )...my chief goal is to land an apartment and eventually car....

[Junejer]

They're murdering you now and will further murder you, if you dispute and they verify, they will murder you further.