3 Ways to Get a Collection Removed from Your Credit Report
A collection can be a significant and lasting detriment to your credit report. Having a collection on your credit report will negatively impact your credit score and could remain on your report for up to seven years. Even if you pay a collection, it could still show up on your report and negatively affect your credit score. Fortunately, there are ways to get a collection removed from your credit report without having to wait seven years.
If you are having trouble removing a collection from your credit report, a consumer protection attorney may be able to help. An experienced FCRA attorney will know the ins and outs of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and can guide you through the collection removal process.
How to Get a Collection Removed from Your Credit Report
Depending on your unique circumstances, there are a few ways to remove a collection from your credit report and improve your score. Here are three ways to potentially clear the collection and re-establish your borrowing power.
Send a Goodwill Letter
If you have paid the collection agency or have been making regular, timely payments, you can mail the collection agency a goodwill letter to explain your circumstances. In this letter, you can request the collection to be removed based on your payment history and situation. For example, if you are trying to buy a house or car but cannot because of the collection on your credit report, explain this in the letter. For the maximum chance of success, hire an experienced credit lawyer to draft the letter and negotiate on your behalf.
File a Dispute
If there is an error or inaccuracy in your collection report, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires credit report agencies to correct any inaccuracies in your report. Be sure to check your collection entry for any of the following inaccuracies:
- Current balance
- Account number
- Any and all dates
- Account and payment statuses
- Payment history
- Credit limit
A lawyer can help you check for errors and write an advanced dispute letter. In this letter, you can insist that each error is correct or that the collection be removed entirely.
Ask for Debt Validation
You have 30 days from the date the collection agency first contacts you to request they validate that the debt actually belongs to you. If they cannot validate the debt, you can then ask them to remove it from your credit report. This option requires you to act quickly, which is why it is essential to seek legal advice as soon as the collection agency contacts you.
Contact a Trusted Fort Lauderdale FCRA Attorney
If you are seeking to remove a collection from your credit report, you need a trusted attorney on your side. Attorney Jibrael S. Hindi is committed to helping his clients protect their consumer rights. Our firm has helped many consumers in Fort Lauderdale stand up to credit reporting agencies to resolve issues with their reports.
Our firm takes cases on a contingency basis whereby the firm does not get paid unless a recovery is obtained on your behalf. Call us today at (844) 542-7235 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation.