Where2Begin
Jul 15, 2009, 09:31 PM
I've read about "pay to delete" letters and plan to send one out with an offer to pay the whole amount in exchange for removal. It's nearly 4 years old; a lot has happened from laid off, cut hours, and bigger bills with the same old paychecks and this is the first time I could safely afford to pay it without causing other things to become collections.
A few questions about these letters;
- Should I modify the letter so that it is not an exact copy with my info added?
- What needs to be included in the letter; should I send my SSN?
- Should I use my current address or a P.O. Box for some level of control? I moved years ago and they haven't been able to contact me since; mildly afraid to even deal with them given collections reputations.
- The account number on my credit report has X's over some of the numbers; will that be a problem when I list it using the X's for the numbers missing?
- Any other suggestions?
This, along with a couple other debts that have since been paid, killed my credit. The others killed my score again when they were paid. That's why I'm trying to avoid this one remaining on my report. I've paid for 4 years and have mildly rebuilt my score (close to 600 from the 400 after debt; was just under 700 before debt). Thanks
P.S.
This is a link to the letter I'm likely using;
Sample Pay for Delete Letter - Template to Remove Collection Account From Credit Report (http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/payfordelete.htm)
A few questions about these letters;
- Should I modify the letter so that it is not an exact copy with my info added?
- What needs to be included in the letter; should I send my SSN?
- Should I use my current address or a P.O. Box for some level of control? I moved years ago and they haven't been able to contact me since; mildly afraid to even deal with them given collections reputations.
- The account number on my credit report has X's over some of the numbers; will that be a problem when I list it using the X's for the numbers missing?
- Any other suggestions?
This, along with a couple other debts that have since been paid, killed my credit. The others killed my score again when they were paid. That's why I'm trying to avoid this one remaining on my report. I've paid for 4 years and have mildly rebuilt my score (close to 600 from the 400 after debt; was just under 700 before debt). Thanks
P.S.
This is a link to the letter I'm likely using;
Sample Pay for Delete Letter - Template to Remove Collection Account From Credit Report (http://credit.about.com/od/debtcollection/a/payfordelete.htm)