The Removal of a Collection Agency From a Credit Score

If you receive your credit report and spot an account erroneously listed in collections, you have the right to have it corrected or removed. Accounts in collection should automatically disappear from a person's credit report after seven years, but if you want it removed before then, you will need a good argument along with proof that the inclusion of the collection agency is not justified. Having a collection agency removed from your credit report will not only require proof but your persistence in making certain it gets corrected.

Instructions

1

Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Call 877-322-8228, visit the AnnualCreditReport.com website or complete an Annual Credit Report Request form found on the Federal Trade Commission website and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

2

Verify that a collection agency is listed on your report in error. Make certain you have a valid reason the collection notice should not be on your report. For instance, if the account does not belong to you or if it was paid in full before going to collections, you have valid arguments for disputing it and having it removed.

3

Write to the collection agency and dispute the account in question. Request that the account or collection notice be removed from your credit report. Include supporting documents, such as proof of payment, along with your letter. The collection agency's address should be listed on your credit report.

4

Contact the credit reporting agencies. You can dispute items on your credit report online or in writing through the postal mail. You will need the item number for the account in collections from the credit report for the specific credit reporting bureau you are contacting. Again, request that the account or collection notice be removed from your credit report and include supporting documents, such as proof of payment, along with your letter. The credit reporting agency's address for disputes should be listed on your credit report.

5

Follow up with the collection agency and credit reporting bureaus, and be persistent. Collection agencies will sometimes deny requests for removal, and the credit reporting agency can follow suit. If this happens, write the credit reporting agency again and request an appeal of its decision. Resend your supporting evidence. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are within your rights to have inaccurate information removed.