Collection and charge-off accounts often change hands several times, and details can be lost along the way. We check the original creditor, balance, dates and ownership of each account, and dispute information that is inaccurate or cannot be verified.
Common situations
- Telecom, medical or rental bills sent to collections
- Both the original creditor and collector report the same debt
- Unexplained fees added to the original balance
- Dates reset as a debt moves between collectors
Our approach
- Check the original creditor, amount and first-delinquency date
- Request original statements and assignment records
- Dispute unverifiable or inaccurate information with bureaus
- Request paid status and a zero balance for settled accounts
What to prepare
- Payment or settlement evidence
- Collection letters or message screenshots, if available
Official references
- 15 U.S.C. § 1692g — FDCPA: debt validation
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681c — FCRA: reporting time limits
- 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2 — FCRA: duties of furnishers
Frequently asked questions
Will paying a collection remove it from my report?
Not automatically. An accurate collection can remain even after it is paid, but it should be updated to show a paid status and a zero balance. Some newer scoring models ignore paid collections, while many mortgage lenders still use older FICO versions that do not.
What is debt validation?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, if you dispute a debt in writing within 30 days of a collector’s initial notice, the collector must stop collecting until it sends you verification of the debt.
Are medical collections treated differently?
Yes. The three nationwide bureaus no longer include paid medical collections or medical collections under $500 on credit reports. Larger unpaid medical collections may still appear.
Accurate, verifiable records may legally remain. We do not guarantee removal or any specific score. You may also dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus for free.
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