PDM Collection - How To Deal With?

[MOSHIE]

Hello.

Currently I have a collection with PDM (Professional Debt Mediation) on my CR. Balance is $3008. Timeline of how this came to be is as follows

1. Moved out of Apartment September 1st
2. Apartment sends out final move-out statement which included a charge I did not agree with ($3000) due to plank flooring needed replacement due to "pet odor"
3. Disputed directly with OC (apartment complex) back and forth and ultimately account got sent to PDM on October 15th.
4. PDM sends validation letter; I disputed and sent back certified mail
5. No response from PDM regarding the dispute I sent back, they just kept sending out the same validation letter to my OLD address (which I only knew of because family members still lived there; parent's house)
6. Collection account added to CR on March 23rd (balance $3008) 

Now at this point, I am just about ready to move on from it and be done with it. My question is what is the best approach to do so?

In my mind, because I am planning to get an auto loan mid July - early August, I am planning to send them a certified mail notifying them of a request for PFD. I've searched the forums here and have gotten mixed results, from them claiming that OC needs to approve PFD to even not honoring their word. 

Should I set up a payment plan on their website then write to them or should I write first then setup the payment plan? I was thinking of $500/mo and then July I can PIF the rest. 

Since this is my first and only collection ever, I'm not too familiar with how collection reporting works. Mainly, if collection has a balance and reports monthly, does that ding my scores in a way that its considered a separate report (meaning score drop) or will it just ding once and report monthly as any other ordinary account? What if they refuse PFD? Will the account remaining on the account but balance $0 look great in the CR?

Help please. 

Thank you

[Bmom]

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about this company,  but I'd definitely try to work with your old rental company rather than the bill collector. Try to get it in writing that they'll agree to pull it from collection and remove it from your report.  Good luck!

[FireMedic1]

I would ask the debt collector to call the OC and actively support your request for a deletion rather than putting the independent burden on you to contact the OC. Seems they will delete if they get the OC's permission.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Rebuilding-Your-Credit/PDM-accepted-PFD/td-p/4688671 

Going back to 2016. Many threads on the same subject.It can be done it seems.

[MOSHIE]

Update

Hey guys sorry its been a while but I have an update. So I sent them a certified mail notifying them I'm wanting to settle and is willing to pay $1500 (50% off balance amount) and if they agree to PFD I can send them a payment ASAP. They replied and agreed. Payment sent on 5/15 and on 5/22 they removed the account from my profile. 

I've seen my scores restore around 20-25 points. 

Thanks for all the help guys

[FireMedic1]

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@MOSHIE wrote:

Update

Hey guys sorry its been a while but I have an update. So I sent them a certified mail notifying them I'm wanting to settle and is willing to pay $1500 (50% off balance amount) and if they agree to PFD I can send them a payment ASAP. They replied and agreed. Payment sent on 5/15 and on 5/22 they removed the account from my profile. 

I've seen my scores restore around 20-25 points. 

Thanks for all the help guys

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Congrats! Nice job.

[OmarGB9]

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@MOSHIE wrote:

Update

Hey guys sorry its been a while but I have an update. So I sent them a certified mail notifying them I'm wanting to settle and is willing to pay $1500 (50% off balance amount) and if they agree to PFD I can send them a payment ASAP. They replied and agreed. Payment sent on 5/15 and on 5/22 they removed the account from my profile. 

I've seen my scores restore around 20-25 points. 

Thanks for all the help guys

---

Congrats!

[Jaiya1k]

hey how many months did it take for them to remove it off your credit? I'm going through the same thing with pdm 

[coldworld]

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@Jaiya1k wrote:

hey how many months did it take for them to remove it off your credit? I'm going through the same thing with pdm 

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The OP mentioned: "Payment sent on 5/15 and on 5/22 they removed the account from my profile."