In times like this it is better to dispute the balance with the "3." By disputing the balance they would not delete the trade line if no response in 30 days occures but instead would simply update the balance according to your dispute....
I had an bad account reporting BR, 120 past (3x) 90 days past etc all on this one account... The item was a paid BAD account.. However, I did not go past due that often as reported and by that much... I will ONLY stand for 100% accurate accounts on my CR... However, I sometime attack those if they are BAD
So when I disputed that I was not late as reported to the "3," the creditor did not respond and the "3" changed all of those remarks to paid as agreed... The account actually went from BAD to a Outstanding aged trade line!!
Talk about night and day!!! 
As I have said elsewhere, I think that each simulation on paying down debt assumes this is the only reason for a low credit score. Hence it seems to give a very rosy picture of what will happen if they are paid down. It seems to ignore enquiries and old late payments that might still be hanging around, and these can slow down the simulated rate of increase.
In general, it has suggested an increase for me that was at least double what actually happened when I followed the rules! 
