Dealing with LJ ROSS & Associates, need some advice ASAP!

[Anonymous]

We are currently trying to bring my fiancee's score up about 40 points in order for us to get preapproved for a mortgage, he has several collections on his report, we have filed two disputes because the companies were unable to locate an account for him using his social security number or his name and birthdate.

I know that it is inadvisable to speak to creditors over the phone, however we are on limited time, and need to bring his score up quickly. He contacted LJ ross a week or so ago, and they said they would delete all negative remarks off of his report if he paid in full ($270). We have the money to do so, but when we called back, they said they will not send  a letter to us stating that they will delete the account before we pay. They said that they will fax a letter while we are on the phone with them, but we have to pay with our credit card over the phone, and that they will send out the paperwork to have the account deleted from all three bureaus on the first of the month.

Has anyone heard of anything like this before? I am just really confused as to what to do!

[lpayton]

I will not advise you to do it, but in my limited personal experience, only 2 CA's (of the 12 I have gotten deleted) have agreed to put it in writing that they were going to delete.  I had to take the plunge, trust their word, and pay. And It is really scary. 

This is what I did in those situations:

I paid the debt, settling it in full.  Got the name of the CSR (preferably a manager or supervisor) on the phone who agreed to a deletion verbally.  After I paid it, I disputed it directly with the CRA's online.  In the comments box i wrote, "PLEASE DELETE PER CONVERSATION WITH SALLY DATED 12-6-2011".  I also ensured that when I checked the box for the reason of the dispute, i checked the most applicable box..not one that says "not my account" or "identity stolen" or whatever.   Also, record the conversations if you can. 

Hope this helps...good luck.

[LH_1]

Hi,

I am in this same situation with this same Collection Agency (LJ Ross). Could you please tell me if they actually deleted it after you paid via phone?????

Please, please, please!

Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

I just paid off over 20 collections to this place and i wrote write on the check ( cashing this deletes collection from my report)

let me tell you i have sent copies of cancelled chdcks to Experian and they told me collections remain for 10 years! So all i did is bring them all up to the top and lowered my fico score! Im mad as hell too. Dont pay them! They lie, they already ruined your credit.eff them!