I apologize for the length, but after many years of reading/lurking, I wanted to share a story that might inspire and/or assist someone on here since I've certainly benefitted from learning from you all as well.
Long story short, an old collection account from a disputed gym membership was originally posted on my wife's credit report in 2015. Sent a DV a few years ago, and it came back verified, though their documentation certainly didn't necessarily support that assertion. It was for a small amount so it was not that big a deal as we didn't really need credit for anything.
Fast forward a few years, and a few kids, and we're going to be house shopping again, so I decided to get proactive and whip things back into shape.
I dug out the info from the DV and wife e-mailed the listed contact address (a generic e-mail) with an offer to settle in full:
"To whom it may concern:
Your firm has listed an old account on my credit report in the amount of $XXXX, with what appears to be a file/account number of XXXXX, from what appears to be an original creditor named XXXXXXX.
I am writing today with an offer to pay the full amount owed, including the collection fees added to the original balance in exchange for the deletion of the tradeline from my credit report at all three of the major credit reporting bureaus and agreement to not report the account in the future. I will pay the balance immediately using your preferred payment method only upon receipt (preferably via e-mail) of a letter agreeing to these terms (and only these terms) signed by an individual from your firm authorized to make such agreements.
Sincerely,
XXXXX"
As expected, this elicited a generic response to the effect of, "We can't communicate with you via e-mail, please call our main number and speak to a representative."
This is where it got interesting----We replied that, "You are not unable to communicate via e-mail, you are simply unwilling. Should that change, please respond to this message with the requested document, or provide said document via postal mail if that is your preference at which the agreed upon payment will be made. No telephone communication will be initiated, accepted, or returned. The choice is simple---resolve the matter as quickly as possible in the manner and method described (and ONLY as described), or don't. It is in our mutual interest that your choice is the former."
Additionally, the same day, we faxed the following letter to their listed fax number on their website:
"
January 9, 2020
Account #: XXXXXX
Amount: $XXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
In advancement of our mutual interests, I am willing to pay this account in full if you agree to the deletion of this tradeline from any and all credit reporting agencies (including Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to which your firm reports. The purpose of this arrangement is merely to have this item removed from my credit files. It is not to be construed as an agreement to pay any amount except as described below.
Certified funds for the full amount of $XXXX will be mailed to Consumer Collection Management Inc., if, and only if, you agree to the terms. In exchange for the payment noted, Consumer Collection Management, Inc. will delete all references regarding this account from my credit files at any bureau to which the firm reports consumer information, agree not to report this tradeline in the future, will cease all collection activity on this account, and the debt shall be considered satisfied in full.
Consumer Collection Management Inc. agrees to delete all information regarding this account from the credit reporting agencies within one calendar week following receipt of payment as specified above and will not discuss the terms of this arrangement with anyone. If contacted by any third party, including credit-reporting agencies, Consumer Collection Management, Inc. will not acknowledge that any settlement offer was made, accepted or executed and will, in fact, deny knowledge of any such account.
If you agree to the above terms, please prepare a letter on your company letterhead agreeing to the same terms as the above offer and have it signed by an authorized representative of Consumer Collection Management, Inc., and send it via fax to XXXXXX, at which point the agreed payment will be remitted.
Sincerely,"
Today, 1 business day after this fax and 2 days after the e-mail, we received the letter of the firm's agreement to PFD. This is not unsuual as we are local to the company's ZIP code, so I'm not sure which item above did the trick, or if it was the combination. Payment was remitted within an hour of receipt of their letter via certified mail with return receipt including a copy of their agreement letter. Now we wait.
