How to Remove Collection Accounts From Your Credit Report

Collection accounts can remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date of the initial missed payment that led to the collection (the original delinquency date).

If you haven't paid your collection account yet, negotiate with the collection agency. Let them know that you plan to pay them off. You can try to negotiate less than the full amount if you want. The important thing is getting them to agree to remove the item from your credit report. It's wise to get this agreement in writing before submitting your payment.

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If you've paid a collection account in full and the item remains on your report. You will want to dispute the item with the credit bureaus by mail. When a collection account is paid in full, it will be marked "paid collection" on the credit report. It is NOT removed from your report and is still considered a negative account. For this reason, you want to have the account removed from your credit report.

How to Remove Collection Accounts From Your Credit Report

Always remember that the burden of proof is on the credit bureaus. You have nothing to prove to them. They have to prove to YOU that the account is yours. Simply dispute by stating something like "Please provide documentation that the following account belongs on my credit report and that my rights have not been violated; otherwise please delete this damaging data immediately." That's all you need to say. One line. The credit bureaus then must conduct an investigation; they have 30 days to do so. If the collection agency can't verify the account (most of the time they can't), then they must remove the collection account from your credit report.

How to Remove Collection Accounts From Your Credit Report

Disputing Your Credit Report - How Can I Remove Negative Items From My Credit Report?

Disputing your credit report can be a time consuming process. Using the dispute process to remove negative items off of your credit report can be frustrating. Nevertheless, it is one of the best ways to get negative information off of your credit report. Starting with the basic dispute process is quite often the fastest and most effective way of disputing your credit report.

Now that you have your reports in front of you, make sure to check the personal information section and check that all entries are correct. Check your name, date of birth, present, and past address, current and past employer, and social security number. After you have verified your basic information, you should scan all three reports and circle or highlight any errors you find. Scroll down each report and check for any errors or discrepancies regarding accounts, or inquiries.

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Here are some important red flags to look for:

Disputing Your Credit Report - How Can I Remove Negative Items From My Credit Report?

When disputing your credit report look for discrepancies regarding accounts and inquiries:

Unauthorized users Customers listed as deceased Former spouse name Negative accounts from your divorce Negative co-signed accounts Unauthorized inquires Illegally re-aged collection accounts (which report an incorrect last date of activity) Foreclosure attempts Consumer credit counseling loan indications When disputing your credit report look for Discrepancies regarding balances and accounts Balances incorrect Credit limits listed incorrectly Duplicate collections Accounts listed incorrectly Credit lines not listed Paid accounts still showing that you owe Closed accounts shown open Closed accounts should say closed by consumer and not closed by the creditor

When disputing your credit report look for Discrepancies regarding negative trade lines:

Late payments, 30, 90, and 120 days Collections Charge offs Tax liens Judgments Debt consolidation marks Bankruptcies not saying withdrawn or dismissed Repossession indication when it should say voluntary surrendered

Now, before you start trying to repair your credit report, let me tell you what the law says about disputing your report.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how the credit bureaus handle your report under § 611. For procedures in cases of disputed accuracy [15 U.S.C. § 1681i], the law states that if you dispute the accuracy of any item or data in your reports, the credit bureau shall conduct a reasonable investigation within 30 days to determine if the challenged item is correct.

After the 30 days have expired, if the credit bureau has not verified or completed the investigation, the disputed item must be deleted. There you go, that is the law, and you will use it to start your dispute process.

When disputing your credit report, you can write your own dispute letter or use a standard dispute letter that you find on the internet. If you decide to write the letters, you must include your full name, date of birth, address, social security number, the items you're disputing, the reason you are disputing them and your signature at the bottom. Once you have your letter s are ready, send them to the following agencies:

Experian NCAC PO BOX 9701 ALLEN TX, 75013

Equifax PO BOX 105518 ATLANTA GA, 30348

Trans Union PO BOX 2000 CHESTER PA 19022

Disputing Your Credit Report - How Can I Remove Negative Items From My Credit Report?