How can I remove paid collection items from my Credit Reports?

Question

There are several items on my credit report that were in collections but I paid them. They also indicate that they were paid in full/closed on my credit reports. However, If I mail receipts of these paid collection items to the 3 credit bureaus can I ask them to remove that collection information? Would they be able to delete that information since the account was paid?

I was told that since they were paid that they were void anyway. However, I would like to have them removed. What if I dispute them? Can you dispute paid items on your report for removal?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

You said it now says "Paid in full:Closed"? Does it say closed by the creditor or the consumer? Is it listed in the derogatory or negative area of your credit report?

Note that just because you paid a debt, and they place "paid" on the account, it does not mean all negative information such as late payments or collections was removed. It's still a negative listing.

Credit Reporting Agencies can NOT delete negative items. The only way they can be deleted is if the creditor removes them, or if they fail to respond to an investigation request within 30 days.

Now that the creditor has your money you will find it difficult for him to cooperate with you in fixing your history.

Your only other hope is to send a dispute letter to the CRA'a and then send a letter to the creditor to demand Validation of the debt.

See the link below for more help on this.

Answer 2

Paying a collection item may be the honorable thing to do, but not in your best interest. Check your credit report and if it's marked as paid leave at that. You see, once you've paid you can't dispute it successfully - otherwise why would you pay in the first place if the debt is not yours? Paying an item in collections dings your credit though not as much as leaving it unpaid. This is the reason for negotiating for deletion before paying off. A paid account is an honorable one. Down the road the account will diminish in importance. Take it as a lesson, keep paying your bills on time and in time it will fade somewhere in the background especially if you build up a good score.

Answer 3

You can dispute them and hope that company doesn't respond to the credit bureau within thirty days, because then the item will be removed. Even if the debt is paid it will remain as a negative item for seven years from the date the debt became past due unless the company fails to respond, in which case it will be removed.

Answer 4

Since you have already paid for them there isn't to much you can do. If you pay a charge off, you pay for deletion. All you can really do is dispute it with the credit bureau and hope no one responds or ask the collection agency to remove it from your credit report. It's easier to have an agreement to have it deleted before you pay than to pay for the collection and then ask for it to be removed.

Answer 5

7 years, 7 years.

Answer 6

That's a good question!

Answer 7

You can't have them removed, thet can stay there for 7 years! That is why you should have paid your bill when it was due!

Answer 8

Thank you for all the answers!