"Pay for Delete" Letters

If you can't remove a debt from your credit report by disputing it, you may be able to negotiate with the collector to have the account removed from your credit report in exchange for payment. Send the collector a letter stating your interest in paying some or all of the balance due. Offer to make payment if the collector agrees to remove the entry from your credit report. If the debt collector agrees, ask for a signed copy of the letter to you to seal the agreement.

If you negotiate a pay for delete over the phone, make sure you get the agreement in writing before you make a payment. Don't make payment based only on an oral agreement.

Send all correspondence to the debt collector via certified mail with return receipt requested. That way, you have proof if there's ever a question about whether the debt collector received your mail.

After you've paid the collection, check your credit report to make sure the entry has been deleted. If not, dispute it and provide the credit bureau with a copy of your agreement with the debt collector and proof of payment.

Contact Project THRIVE for sample letters templates. God speed!