How to remove unfair collection

[betsyboop]

In December of 2008 I moved out of my apartment and left without a concern because I had paid a non-refundable deposit.  Well the apartment said I stained the carpet and said I owed $200 for the stained carpet.  They sent a letter about the debt to an incorrect address so I never got the letter.  It wasn't until I checked my credit report 3 months later and saw a collection on it that I found out.  I went to the apartment complex and I was told that they had switched management and that my non-refundable deposit was suppose to be refunded to me (it never was) and that was why I owed the money.  Well I paid the money to the apartment complex but it still shows up on my credit report as a collection paid in full and hurting my score.  I spoke with the collection agency and they said if I explained my story to the credit agency then it would come off my credit report but that they couldn't take it off themselves.  Is this true?  How should I word the letter?  It only shows up on TU and EQ

Any help would be appreciated.

TU-646

[Artzdelux]

Examples of letters can be found using the search tool in the message boards but all need tweaked for your particular situation.

From my understanding, the Collections company is responsible for what they are telling Experian, Transunion, and Equifax to list.  The CRA's just publish what they're told.  I would call/ write to someone that is not a front-line employee at the collection agency and explain the situation.  They may require proof of payment.  From there just be very nice, and ask if there is any way they can update their feed to the CRAs to remove the entire listing.  Some companies will and some won't; IMO, if I am a creditor, I have my money, and the issue is so small/ punitive like yours, I would have no issue with it.  You just need to get a hold of the right person.

[Anonymous]

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@betsyboop wrote:

In December of 2008 I moved out of my apartment and left without a concern because I had paid a non-refundable deposit.  Well the apartment said I stained the carpet and said I owed $200 for the stained carpet.  They sent a letter about the debt to an incorrect address so I never got the letter.  It wasn't until I checked my credit report 3 months later and saw a collection on it that I found out.  I went to the apartment complex and I was told that they had switched management and that my non-refundable deposit was suppose to be refunded to me (it never was) and that was why I owed the money.  Well I paid the money to the apartment complex but it still shows up on my credit report as a collection paid in full and hurting my score.  I spoke with the collection agency and they said if I explained my story to the credit agency then it would come off my credit report but that they couldn't take it off themselves.  Is this true?  How should I word the letter?  It only shows up on TU and EQ

Any help would be appreciated.

TU-646

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I would contact the OC, again, and ask them to please remove the account from the CA since you paid the debt to them.

The CA is full of it.  CRAs only put on your CR information obtained from the creditor and the CAs.  So, yes, the CA can have it deleted.  I have heard that the CRAs and CAs have an understanding that the CA cannot remove things because they are paid.  This is just something I read on here every now and then, nothing I have actually seen in writing.  I do know that CA remove things all the time when it is a PFD.

How long ago was this debt?   If it is older, they may remove it with a GW letter.  I would try the OC route first.

[fused]

I would never talk with a CA, everything should be in writing.

[Anonymous]

After I had paid mine, i had talked to both CA and OC on the phone and they said no way.  So I wrote a GW letter and bam, the CA removed it. 

Writing letters does work

[betsyboop]

The account shows up as paid in full one year and two months ago.  I've already talked to the people in the apartment complex and they act like total ditzes saying that we told the CA that you paid but that's all.  Do you think I should write a letter to the OC, CRA and CA?  Or just the OC and CA?  I'm trying to buy a house in the next 6-9 months and I need this cleared up ASAP my credit score from experian is 728 b/c they don't list the collection which makes a huge difference in the interest rate I will get vs. a 646 with transunion.  I've already paid my credit cards down and now I just need to get this fixed ASAP.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Write to the party that is reporting.  The CRA won't help you.