paying collections and raising credit score

Submitted by lbrown9113 on Thu, 06/10/2010 - 18:01
Forums

I have paid 4-5 outstanding collections on my credit report...Is there anyway for me to get them removed or a way to help raise my credit score since I only have 1 outstanding remaining and others in good standings?

The fastest way to improve your credit score is to reduce the to debt balance owed to the high credit limit allowed or the credit utilization ratio.
I will be the first to tell you, that if it’s a new collection you are better off settling on the collection and asking for a letter to delete from all 3 credit bureaus. There is also a trick of the lender community. Over the years most credit repair companies will tell you not to pay off collection accounts because it gives an updated collection to the credit bureaus. ,

Fri, 06/11/2010 - 06:33 Permalink

Hi lbrown,

Welcome to this community :)

First of all can you tell whether or not the status of these accounts have been updated to "Paid"? Did you pay all these collections in full, and do you have proof of these payments?

If the account status has not been changed to "Paid", you can use the payment proofs to dispute this. Write dispute letters to the credit bureaus, and attach copies of your payment proofs.

You are left with one outstanding credit card debt. While making payments on this card, remember to get payment agreement in writing. Also request the colelction agency or creditor to agree to a "Pay for delete" (PFD) agreement. With the PFD all the negatives from the account will get deleted.

Other than this to improve your credit score, you can get added as an authorized user on any of your relative or friend's account, who has a good credit score. This will bring an instant improvement in your credit score. However, you should remember, when you see much improvement in your credit, remove your name as an authorized user.

An authorized user is not responsible for the account on which he/she has been added. However, in the same way the positives on this account is gong to improve your credit score, the negatives too can hurt your score.

Thanks,

Aaron

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 06:28 Permalink
cole9113 (not verified)

the one outstanding is medical. They currently have not been updated to paid. I do have documentation of them being paid. I just was unsure how to get them updated and possibly removed.

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 22:40 Permalink

Hi,

I think you had forgotten to log in while posting this query. If you have documentation of your payment, you can dispute this item with the credit bureaus.

Thanks,

Aaron

Tue, 06/15/2010 - 11:36 Permalink