Success + questions about Paid CO's + Intro

[Nate]

Using the dispute letters from this site, I had 2 TLs removed off my credit report. I never received a validation from either of the CA's, they simply just stopped reporting. Unbelievable! It's crazy to me that they hold so much control over your life, but a simple letter in some cases can change everything.

I've read many discussions on this forum and have noticed that most people one way or another are looking to get their FICO score increased so they can qualify for good rates on mortgages/loans etc. I've yet to see many folks mention employment, which is my main motivation. My TL's are older (5 years avg), smaller in size (mostly under $200), and I've got about 4-5 of them, depending which CRA you ask. Almost all were in my first years out of high school and beginning years of college, but they are kicking my arse due the line of work I'm trying to get into: finance. This field is relentlessly saying NO to me, and I've waited until I've almost completed my degree to try and get an internship/pt job in the field. Now I'm finding out I can't land anything b/c of my credit---at least at a bank, not even a teller position. Also, one of the COs I'm talking about is on Chexsystems (which reports delinquent checking accounts--talk about shooting myself in the foot), and will be there until July 15 of this year.

Anywho, I got over zealous before finding amazingly resourceful sites like this one, and paid off all but one of my TL's. So finally to my question....

If you have settled or paid a co, is it possible to get rid of them with a pfd. For example, I have a TL with Asset Acceptance. I settled for $93, but the original balance they wanted was $150ish. Can I write them a letter and say "hey, i know we settled, but here is a little extra dough to make this thing disappear" type thing? I feel it would be quicker and more probable than writing GW's, which is leaving it to chance and throwing myself to their mercy.

So again, thanks so much to Chane, Trish and others for their resources and knowledge. I spent 5 years in school plus thousands of dollars in cash and loans to get my degree, and because of sites like this, I may actually be able to put it all to work and not down the drain.

[chane]

Hey, you're welcome. I'm glad you were able to get some stuff items removed.

As far as the collection, have you tried to dispute it? (I'm assuming yes, but just making sure.) If so, how many times? Which credit report(s) is it on?

If you have disputed it numerous times and they are not budging, you may want to try the PFD...but persisting on the disputes may be all it takes.

[Nate]

Its listed on all 3 CRAs. When you say dispute, do you mean with the CRA or the CA?

[chane]

I mean with the CRA. A credit report dispute is with the CRA. Debt validation is with the CA. For collections you can do both.

[Nate]

Okay then in my original post I mixed up terms. I didn't dispute the 2 that I got removed, I used debt validations with the CA.

If I use the dispute with CRA method, and it continually comes back verified, have you ever used/heard of someone pfding a settled account?

[chane]

Ok, then you should definitely dispute those accounts. If done correctly, they will probably remove them. It may take a a couple times, but don't give up. Wait 30-40 days and try again. It takes time, but it's worth it.

[Nate]

I will definitely do that. Thanks for the help, I'll be sure to update the status later.