Collections Removed but Score Decrease?

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

My bf and I are working together to build up both of our credit. We sent validation letters to the collection agencies on his report. 2 were removed, 1 is past the validation period and we've contacted the credit bureaus, and the last one has a few days. My biggest question is why his score dropped over 10 points when the collections were removed?

Also, this makes me wonder what my next move should be. I lost my job last year (same old story many people have) and fell behind on 2 credit cards. One went to collections, and the other is just showing late payments and is still held by the bank. I've been working on settling things and have been very successful so far. I'd like to pick which of these two to try to work with next, but don't know which would be more beneficial? Would trying to get the collection account deleted better or would working with the credit card company that is still active be better for my score?

Also, where is the best place to check on your score and how often do you do it?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hello all,

My bf and I are working together to build up both of our credit. We sent validation letters to the collection agencies on his report. 2 were removed, 1 is past the validation period and we've contacted the credit bureaus, and the last one has a few days. My biggest question is why his score dropped over 10 points when the collections were removed?

Also, this makes me wonder what my next move should be. I lost my job last year (same old story many people have) and fell behind on 2 credit cards. One went to collections, and the other is just showing late payments and is still held by the bank. I've been working on settling things and have been very successful so far. I'd like to pick which of these two to try to work with next, but don't know which would be more beneficial? Would trying to get the collection account deleted better or would working with the credit card company that is still active be better for my score?

Also, where is the best place to check on your score and how often do you do it?

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I use Credit Check Total for true FICO 8 scores from all three bureaus. They have a 1 dollar 7 day trial, and when you cancel it, they will invariably offer you a 50% discount to $14.97 a month. You get daily pulls and scores from Experian, and monthly pulls and scores from TU and EQ. 

Where did you get hubby's score from?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the information! He paid for a month on Experian.

[Anonymous]

It depends how the collection was being reported in his report. Was the collection reported in all three bureau? What type of collection is it?

[Anonymous]

They were reporting to all 3 bureaus. One was for comcast and the other ATT. The accounts totaled $736 and were newer accounts (to collections). One was from 2014 and the other 2015.

[Anonymous]

My guess could be that the collections were his oldest tradeline and his positive tradelines was not older than the CO hence the point decrease. My practical guess

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
My guess could be that the collections were his oldest tradeline and his positive tradelines was not older than the CO hence the point decrease. My practical guess

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Collections do not contribute to AAoA, only OC accounts.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thank you for the information! He paid for a month on Experian.

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Depending on what Experian product he got, it may be a Vantage score rather than a true FICO score.