Pay for Delete Response

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I sent an offer for the full amount to my old power company to pay off the account if they would delete the charge off. I just received a letter and it states by the Fair Debt Statues as a creditor they cannot delete debts from a credit file. Since when is a power company a creditor?

Can anybody help me? I am willing to pay the full amount if they remove the charge off and this is South Carolina Electric and Gas.

Thanks

[JoeBJay20]

They are partially correct, but it is not because of FDCPA statutes.  The CRA reporting manual that companies agree to when they report accounts instructs all companies not to delete information in exchange for payment.  So while there is no law, it is against CRA reporting guidelines.  That being said, the company can still choose to update the reporting if it chooses. I had a similar issue with an old utility company.  I sent my request to the CEOs office, and the accounts were deleted.  Just keep sending PFDs, try sending them to different executives within the company and see if somebody bites.

[Lel]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Since when is a power company a creditor?

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Unlike the groceries that you pay for before consumption, you use energy before paying for it.  So technically, the energy company is extending you credit.

Back when I didn't have a decent credit history, I had to pay deposits to open up my utility accounts.  It was like secured credit card accounts for energy.  After a period of consecutive on-time payments, they started to deduct my payments from the deposit.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses. Due to the economy and housing market i was unable to pay it. I am now back on my feet somewhat and can pay it. Maybe i should express that to them in a letter. I sent them a standard can letter last time.

[JoeBJay20]

Well there is no one right way to do it.  You want to try to convey how the arrangement benefits them.  But more often than not, it's purely a matter of luck in that your letter gets read by the right person on the right day.  Sometimes it only takes one letter, sometimes it can take 10 or more.  The key is staying persistent, send the letters to different people within the company.  If you can find an executive's name and/or email, that helps sometimes as well. 

[Anonymous]

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@JoeBJay20 wrote:

They are partially correct, but it is not because of FDCPA statutes.  The CRA reporting manual that companies agree to when they report accounts instructs all companies not to delete information in exchange for payment.  So while there is no law, it is against CRA reporting guidelines.

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Does anybody know why this is?

I'm guessing it's so future creditors can see a person's past, but it's still just that, the past.  If one is making strides to improve and "right a wrong" so to speak, cut them a break.  Besides, the debt is with the creditor, not the CRA.  Let the creditor have the freedom to do as they will once it's settled.  * small rant over *