How do I clear small collections from credit report?

Question

I have a small collections of $79 dollars on my credit report from Experian that I wasn't aware of until my credit union told me.

I will pay it, because I remember what happened and I do owe the money, but I don't want it to stay on my credit report even after I've paid it. How can I get them to erase it?

Answer 1

Wait 7 years like everyone else.

Answer 2

You may be able to send a letter to the company that sent it to collections, with a reason why you didn't initially pay it. They sold your debt to the collection agency, so they lost money on the deal. It will likely be on your record for 7 years.

Answer 3

Well, before you pay anything on it, dispute it and see if it falls off. They might not bother answering your dispute since it is such a small amount.

If you don't want to do that, then send them the letter in my source (or another like it) and plug in your information. Offer to pay in full in exchange for them deleting the account.

If they give you the run around, think long and hard about paying them. It will not help your FICO score to pay it and they will most likely not bother suing you over such a small amount.  

Answer 4

Send the collection agency a letter offering to settle.  Specifically say that this is not an acknowledgment of the debt but an effort to expedite removal from your credit report.  Offer to pay $x in exchange for them removing the item from your credit.  You can offer the whole amount or if the debt is a few year old, offer half.  

Ask that an authorized agent of the collector sign and return a copy of your letter to indicate acceptance of your offer.  When you get the returned copy, send them a money order.  Do not give the collector direct access to your bank account.