Pay for delete letter: Negotiate to remove negative listing

Submitted by Laura on Fri, 02/08/2008 - 06:27
Forums

What is a Pay for delete letter?

A Pay for delete agreement is normally made with the original creditor or a collection agency (CA) to remove an outstanding debt listing from your credit report.

If the name of the creditor or the CA gets listed in your credit report with a particular debt, you should first ask for debt validation by sending a Debt Validation (DV) letter to the creditor. Once your debt gets validated by the creditor, you need to send a Pay for delete letter.

A Pay for delete letter is sent as part of your negotiations with your creditor for a repayment plan to pay off your outstanding debt. If the creditor agrees to a Pay for deletion agreement, the negative listing gets removed from your credit report once the debt has been repaid in full. You should always get the Pay for delete agreement in writing so you have proof that the creditor agreed to delete the negative listing from your report, if they refuse to remove the negative item from your report after you pay off the debt.

Sample Pay for delete letter/Pay for deletion letter

Name of Collection Agency
Address of collection agency

Re: Collection Account for Original Creditor Account Number
Amount: $50.00

Dear Sir or Madam,

This is for your information that I am disputing validity of the debt referred to above. I am not aware of the account number and you have not informed me of the existence of this account.

I am willing to pay this account IN FULL (or a settlement percentage, whichever is feasible) if you agree to immediately delete the account from the credit reporting agencies (namely Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) that you have reported to, and validated this account. My sole purpose is to get this item removed from my file. This letter should not be interpreted as recognition of the debt or acknowledgment of liability for the debt.

If you accept the terms of this agreement, the certified amount of $50 will be sent to your collection agency provided there is complete deletion of any reference to the debt from my file on all the credit bureaus that you have reported to, and the debt is validated. As the full amount demanded will be paid back, there should not be any waiting period to delete this item from the reporting bureaus.

Your agency should delete all information regarding the account from my credit files within 10 business days from the receipt of the payment, as mentioned in this agreement. The terms of this agreement will not be discussed with anyone but the original creditor. No third party will be informed if contacted and no acknowledgment of the debt, any kind of payment, or settlement will be discussed if I am contacted by the Reporting Agencies.

Following the acceptance of the agreement, please prepare a letter on your company letter head unambiguously agreeing to the aforementioned terms and conditions and have it signed by your agency's authorized signatory. This letter will imply a legal contract, enforceable under my state law.

If I do not receive an approval letter within 15 days of your receipt of this letter, I will withdraw this offer.

Please communicate regarding this account to the address mentioned below.

Your Name
Your Address
State Zip Code

Rogers (not verified)

Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that both the OC and the CA could be reporting the debt to the CRA. How can you find out if this is happening and how do you deal with both to insure that the debt is completely removed from the CRA?

Wed, 04/13/2011 - 19:51 Permalink
Lisa (not verified)

Hi Carol,
I am reading your article after paying one of three medical bills to a collection agency. I wish I had read this article first. I told them that I would call back within two weeks to make further payment arrangements. I would very much like to use the Pay for Delete letter, which leads to my question. Is it too late to now try to negotiate using a "pay for delete letter with this agency on the other two outstanding accounts?

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 15:46 Permalink
cheryl (not verified)

I have a bill that I 'not' disputing, do you have an example of a pay for delete letter for an existing debt.

Wed, 04/27/2011 - 14:28 Permalink
Jude (not verified)

Ok. So who is the best person to talk to regarding this letter? I tried to work with one of my creditors and they refused to do it. Do I need to contest the debt with the credit bureau first to start negotiating with the right person at the bank?

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 18:21 Permalink
Paul Mathews (not verified)

Hi Carol. My wife and I have a joint unsecured line of credit with a local bank. I am in chapter 7 bankruptcy. She is not and, better, has good credit. We can pay our LOC for 50%, saving $6,000 because of my bankruptcy status, but the account will be reported as "Settled in Full" not "Paid in Full" and the bank tells us that this will lower my wife's score. Any suggestions.

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 17:50 Permalink

I have medical bills from 2001 still listed on my credit report. They actually were sold again to a Collection Agency in 2007, so that is the date on the Credit Report. The interesting thing is that the bill, which is from one clinic, is seperated into 29 different entries on my Credit Report. Some for as little as $50, some as much as $200. When i contacted the Credit Agency about paying them, they said that they would not delete them individually, that all they could do is put "paid in full". Anyone have advice about this? And have you seen a medical bill be broken up into so many individual accounts? thank you!

Mon, 05/02/2011 - 23:05 Permalink
Pilar (not verified)

my car loan charge off an i want to return my car , but the company dont interested in the car the car does not work and I owe the bank $ 2,600, they want me to pay the debt as I can every month. I can do a letter specifying that they do not want the car and they offered me to pay the debt payments of $ 50.00 a month and commit to clear my credit when I pay it off

Wed, 05/11/2011 - 14:31 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I have already paid the company do you think they will do a pay to delete agreement

Thu, 06/09/2011 - 02:29 Permalink

Carol,

I have three credit collections that have been paid reporting on my credit reports (all three reports are not reporting each item). With the items being paid in full is there any techniques that I can use to get these off of my reportss

Fri, 06/24/2011 - 02:27 Permalink
Manny (not verified)

I sent him pay of delete letter and they said they cant do it . Their client DCU said NO . Kindly let me know what to do and how to handle this

Tue, 06/28/2011 - 20:56 Permalink
Brian Spangenberg (not verified)

I owe a substantial amount to Pioneer Military Lending rougly $7000. The account was charged off in December 2010 as I9 on all three of my credit reports. I was going to send them a PFD offering $5000-$5500 and am wondering if that is a good idea? Thank you for your help.

Sat, 07/02/2011 - 00:17 Permalink
cortney connor (not verified)

My car loan is currently paid in full however, tHere was a month in 2009 that was paid late but all of the rest of the months were paid on time and in full. Its currently showing as negitive on my credit report and I want it to be removed. It this somthing that can be done?

Wed, 07/20/2011 - 21:36 Permalink
michelle ann (not verified)

does the pay for deletion letter work for accounts that is being settled for a fraction of what is owed?

Thu, 07/21/2011 - 05:32 Permalink
Marylnd (not verified)

I recently requested a pay for delete and once paid the original creditor now refuses to remove the item. What are my options?

Mon, 08/08/2011 - 23:47 Permalink
Jterryva (not verified)

Hi,
I'm new on this site. I'm trying to pay to delete a debt but when I checked credit reports, the creditor (chase bank) and the collection agency are both listed with the same amount, one is a collection and the other is a charged-off account. Is this correct? and who do I need to initiate the debt settlement with? the creditor or collection agency or both?

Tue, 08/16/2011 - 15:38 Permalink
amsands33 (not verified)

Hi Carol
I just found out that the IRS accepted my "Offer in Compromise" but has already reported the amount I owe to the credit agency. I plan on paying the offer amount ASAP. The lien dates on my credit file are 9/2004 and 11/2010. When the total amount is paid for and a lien release is issued, is there anyway I can get the 2 liens permanently remove from my credit file?

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 18:45 Permalink
msce (not verified)

can a bank "charge off" an account while you are still attempting to make payments on it?

Fri, 09/30/2011 - 19:54 Permalink
Patty Bennett (not verified)

Hi,

I'm trying to repair my credit. My main problem is medical bills. A lot of them are duplicates but I have roughly about 25,000.

I'm looking for someone to go through them and help me get them deleted of my credit so that I can raise my credit score.

Other than medical bills my credit is good. I have been working wit lexington law but I think it's a temp solution.

Do you do this type of work? If so, what do you charge?

Please let me know?

Patty
714-318-9387

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 17:21 Permalink
marydebtfreesoon (not verified)

I have the colection agency that has agreed to delete now that I have paid the collections were threee items for medical reasons. They will be report this in 10 business days they stated. My question: What would be an estimated point increase in my FICO score, how many points do you think is a ball park?

Wed, 11/02/2011 - 02:31 Permalink
perry johnican (not verified)

To whom it may concern, I see this pay for delete letter and it sounds good. My situation is a little different, All my negative and collections account I've paid the balances in full but still remains on my credit files with a zero balance. What type of letter do I need to provide to have these account removed from my credit files permently?

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 15:53 Permalink
kadija (not verified)

Should the pay for delete be sent to the collection agency or the original creditor?

Sat, 11/19/2011 - 02:13 Permalink
Samantha (not verified)

Hi,
In the mayority of Medical bills that shows in the credit report says that they will be scheduled to continue on record until 2014. I want to know that after that year I won't own any medical bills? Can you clarify me this, please.
Thank you,
Sam

Sat, 11/19/2011 - 23:17 Permalink
tyree (not verified)

Is they a way 2 delete accounts on credit that r already paid

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 04:25 Permalink
ernest (not verified)

i just talk to the finance company and they said he would not take the pfd letter but would settle the remainder of in payments until the account is paid in full. also they said the balance to small and not to worry about my car being repo. what to do or suggestions?

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 22:31 Permalink
Davem29072 (not verified)

I recently put out 5 PFD letters on feb 2nd and still got no response. I am confused, should I do a MOV letter next to the CA or to the credit bureau, or do I just call and pay it? I sent these letters certified and also received return receipts. Any help would be great! These are all under $100

Mon, 02/27/2012 - 05:58 Permalink
shumye A Berhe (not verified)

I have judgment about $4125 by the Palisades collection with out my knowleg may 2007, this year I was trying to buy house, this pop out on my credit report (my fico#700,7489 and663) then I contact the lower this agency they states the returned to Palisade collection agency then I contact Palisades collection agency they state they do not own it any more and the gave me different callection agency, they do not response to me, I contact credit report agency unable to remove the report. would you please give me any advice what to do

Tue, 03/06/2012 - 08:07 Permalink
M Acuna (not verified)

i paid off a bal of charter becuase the they sd ok to pay with them to disreguard co letter and now its showing on my credit bureas. I explained I recvd my last stmnt indicating frm charter that paymnt was not due till nov17th2011 and that i recvd a letter also frm collections agency CMI arnd the same time. They told me to pay up and would notify them to remove frm credit bureaus due to errors. Well they did not do it and its still on my credit files, I hve been dsoting it over and over again how can u help me with this matter

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 03:16 Permalink
desperate barb (not verified)

I am recovering from cancer my husband and i were buried in bills. I'm getting on feet but need to get negative off and positive on credit report so we can buy a small home. My question is can we pay bills with our secured credit card as long as we pay it off every month, or should we have 2 one for small charges one for bills. its hard because don,t have alot of money to obtain secured card and pay bills at same time. Thank you for any help

Thu, 06/07/2012 - 06:29 Permalink
zmack28 (not verified)

I have a question, say I owe bank of america X amount, they sold the account to a collection agency. Both are reporting to the CRA. If I reach an agreement with bank of america to pay to delete, can the collection agency still report to the CRA's?

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 16:41 Permalink
DEBBRICH (not verified)

I try to communicate online as much as possible so as not to have the expense of certified or registered mail or. Is there any form of email that is considered legal proof of notification sya as to a creditor that you are disputing the validity of a debt?

Fri, 09/07/2012 - 14:43 Permalink
Ms. K. Wright (not verified)

I have a few paid/satisfied judgments that I would like to remove from my credit report. I know that this is far-fetched, however, I must try it!!!! Can you give me the necessary steps and forms needed to file for such a removal? Thank you in advance

Thu, 11/15/2012 - 15:38 Permalink
Peezo (not verified)

Me(Respondent) and my ex wife(Petitioner) got divorce in 2010, we brought a house back in 2008. She was awarded the house and in the court order, The judge put in the order that I have no say in the real estate, my ex hold me harmless with respect to any and all expensive related to the ownership of the residence including mortage lien, property taxes homeowner's insurance and other cost of any kind/nature. With regard to said cost, Petitioner(Her) shall hold the Respondent(me) harmlessand inddmify me. The respondent shall execute a deed transferring his entire in the real estate. In the event the Petitioner is unable to refiance within 90 days, the house shall be listed for sale immediately. She haven't paid the mortgage for the past 18 months now and the mortgage is over $40,000. I am trying to buy my own house now, but I can't get a loan. My question is there away I can get that deleted from my credit report since I have a court ordered stating all of that, that is signed my myself, her, both our attorneys and the judge?

Fri, 12/21/2012 - 23:58 Permalink
Christina (not verified)

Carol,
I have $600 bill that has gone to collections. I spoke with the collections agency an they have not reported it to the credit bureaus until the end of the month. Do i still wite them a pay for delete letter? Also, can i settle this with them for a lesser amount as well?

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 19:08 Permalink
Kristina Davies (not verified)

I recently settled a debt and now I'm trying to get them to take this off my credit. I was unaware that this account went to collections because I no longer resided at the address the service was. Can you please help me reach this goal?

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 01:39 Permalink
Elnora (not verified)

Hi Carol what if I do know about the account, but I was unaware that I could request a charge off?
How should I write the letter to them then and what can I do if they still to remove the charge off status?
how long does a charge off account stay on a persons credit report?

Thu, 02/14/2013 - 05:31 Permalink
Jimmy S. (not verified)

Hello Carol,
Is their any letter I can use that said @ this acct isn't mine pls removed it fr my credit hx file. Or I will pay your company this amt. ie: $200 for the $500, that you reported to the Credit Bureau and pls removed it fr my acct upon agreeable. Thanks for your time!

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 20:59 Permalink
kc (not verified)

Carol, I called the Agency on my credit report before seeing your post. I asked where the original creditor was and they told me. They are sending me a statement. Should I also send a pay for Delete letter? I have several more from different agencies that I have not contacted. Thanks for your help.

Tue, 07/09/2013 - 19:35 Permalink

Original Creditor account that mean reference number? and Collections Agency is the person you deal with?

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 10:10 Permalink
johnny rodgers (not verified)

should i write the credit card issuer a pay for delete letter. although the account is reported as a charge-off. The last attempt for collection was April 2012 by a collection agency.
There are no collection inquiries on my credit files regarding this debt with the three credit bureau. The original creditor only show the late payment and subsequent charge-off.

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 14:13 Permalink
Jeffrey Brown (not verified)

Carol, I remember this bill and paid it off years ago after it went to collection. How do I go about deleting the account from the credit reporting agencies?

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 04:13 Permalink
Patricia Paige (not verified)

Is this a real company, and does anyone work here? I called seveal times and get nothing but voice mail.

Fri, 12/27/2013 - 15:46 Permalink
Sharon (not verified)

How does the creditor remove the charge off? Do they contact the credit bureu? I've read what I need to do and have spoken to the creditor and they have agreed to a letter but what do I do with the letter ?

Tue, 02/18/2014 - 13:42 Permalink
ksb (not verified)

If I am willing to pay a percentage of the debt, what % should I reasonably expect to settle for? Also, what are some reasons I can use to help negotiate a lower %

Thu, 03/27/2014 - 23:11 Permalink
ThomassSa (not verified)

All above told the truth. We can communicate on this theme.

:):)

Wed, 04/09/2014 - 19:22 Permalink
Sandra Martinez (not verified)

Are the chances pretty good with original creditor's to delte entires from the credit reporting agencies once they receive the agreed payment offer? What happens if they accept payment but do not remove the item?

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 21:59 Permalink