How to Remove Collection Notices From My Credit Report

Having collection notices listed on your credit report can have a negative impact on your overall credit score. Even when the collection items are valid, you can still attempt to have them removed from your report. If the collection items listed are not valid, you can have the credit bureaus remove them. If the items are valid, you can try and negotiate the removal of the items with the collection agencies. Another approach is to dispute the items with the credit bureaus and hope they don't verify them. If the collection agency fails to verify the information within 30 to 45 days, the information will be removed from your report.

Instructions

1

Get a copy of your credit report. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three credit bureaus at the Annual Credit Report website. Review the report and take note of the collection notices you'd like to remove.

2

Dispute the negative items listed on your report. Dispute all the negative items whether they're valid or not because they will be removed either way if the agency doesn't verify it. To dispute the negative items, go to each of the credit bureaus websites and fill out the dispute forms. The three credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. After you submit the forms, the collection agencies have 30 to 45 days to verify the items or they will be removed from your report.

3

Call the collection agency and negotiate to have the items removed. Tell the agent you're willing to pay a lump sum to have your account paid in full and removed from your credit report. Oftentimes, the lump sum can be a settlement amount and not the full amount. Try starting with $0.30 to $0.40 on the dollar for the debt. If the collection agency agrees to the terms, get a signed statement in writing of the deal and then pay the negotiated amount. If the agency fails to hold up their end of the bargain in removing the item from your credit report, you can submit a copy of the signed letter from them to the credit bureau and have the item removed.

4

Wait 7 years for the items to drop off your credit report. If you are unable to pay the debt and are unsuccessful in negotiating and disputing the items removal, you may have to wait for the collection to drop off your credit report. Be aware that this means 7 years from the first delinquency date; even if the debt changes hands and looks like a new debt, it must be removed after 7 years from the first delinquency on the original account.