How to deal with Collection Agency?

[Blazon]

Over the past 24 months, I have experienced many life changes.  In my efforts to return to the land of credit worthiness, I need to address several adverse issues on my credit file with the 3 major reporting agencies.  I would like to seek advice on how to handle the following derogatory comment on my file.  

 

I had taken out a pay day loan.  Given many financial challenges, I was not able to pay back the $5,000.  I did make a couple of payments, but on August 2018 they wrote off my account and sent it to collections.  I reached out to the originally creditor to settle my credit obligation, but they informed me it was sent to a collection agency.  I contacted the collection agency about this debt, but they informed that they no longer handled this debt collection.  However, they provided me the contact information of the collection agency who does.  

 

Which brings me to my question, should I try to settled with the new collection agency or file a request with the credit agencies to get this item removed?  It seems that the trail to track down this debt is not simple.  In the case, I work with the new collection agency, do they have the ability / power to remove the adverse credit?

 

I look forward to your comments.

[MarvBear]

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[cv91915]

The only entity that can change or delete a trade line is the company that put it there.

 

So if on one of your reports you have a debt from Bank 1 and a collection on the same account from Collector Z, Collector Z has no access to the Bank 1 trade line.

 

I know that doesn't address all of your questions, I wanted to hit that one to get the rest of the discussion started.

 

Welcome.

Edited September 19 by cv91915

[Blazon]

Thank you for very much for the input.  Currently, my report shows just the one derogatory comment from the original creditor.  The debt has been passed down from Collection Agency 1 to Collection Agency 2.  What I'm trying to determine is if I pay off the collection, does the derogatory mark get removed?  Who actually updates my credit report once the debt is settled?  

 

Also, should I pay the full debt or negotiate a smaller settlement?  Does it matter at this point?

 

I appreciate the input from the CreditBoards community.  

[cv91915]

5 hours ago, Blazon said:

Thank you for very much for the input.  Currently, my report shows just the one derogatory comment from the original creditor.  The debt has been passed down from Collection Agency 1 to Collection Agency 2.  What I'm trying to determine is if I pay off the collection, does the derogatory mark get removed?  Who actually updates my credit report once the debt is settled?  

 

Also, should I pay the full debt or negotiate a smaller settlement?  Does it matter at this point?

 

I appreciate the input from the CreditBoards community.  

Are you saying that only the original creditor appears on your reports?

 

If so, paying a CA or JDB that is trying to collect won't do anything to the original trade line.

 

Most of the time if the CA or JDB is reporting, paying them will do nothing for the CA/JDB trade line, either.  

 

Recently one of the major names in the collection business started to delete upon settling the debt according to certain terms (I don't recall the specific details, but someone should chime in), but aside from this limited exception most of the time you have to negotiate the deletion, and most companies will not agree even if you pay.  

 

This, of course, doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

 

 

Edited September 20 by cv91915

[cv91915]

I will also add that you should proceed with caution with a debt that's this fresh.  If you're comfortable posting the name of the creditor that may get you some more targeted advice.  

 

Make sure you don't post any personal info, because legend has it that collectors are hear reading CB also.

 

Nothing to worry about if you don't identify yourself personally.

 

 

Edited September 20 by cv91915

[Blazon]

Today, I gathered additional information on my outstanding debt from the original creditor.  They informed me that my debt was sold to a different company.  In turn, they handed it over for collections to collection agency.  I learned that my $5,000 which was reported on my credit report was actually $6,800.  The collection agency who is handling my debt offered to reduce the amount to $3,400 (1.5 years aged debt).  

 

In returned, I asked them to provide in writing an agreement to delete the derogatory credit mark with the credit reporting agencies.  The individual who I spoke with said they could provide a letter showing the debt as paid ("Debt Settle"), but I said this form of communication would not remove the derogatory comment from my credit report.  For information purposes, the new creditor never added any derogatory information to any of my credit reports.  

 

After my call with the collection agency, the representative said they would check with the original creditor on how to remove the adverse credit once I make the agreed upon payment.  This seemed odd because Original Creditor does not own the debt any longer.  

 

Therefore, how do I get the derogatory credit off my file?  Can the new debt holder get it taken off?  Not sure how to proceed. I do have the funds to clear up the outstanding debt.  Ultimately, my goal is to get the adverse credit removed.  Is there a preferred letter format that is used to provide the CRA to take off my adverse remarks for this debt?  I feel the collection agency will help, but they are not knowledgable on how to remove.

 

I appreciate the forum's input or experience with my current situation.