Credit / collection agency question...

[forfor]

I just checked my scores at myfico.com and found out about a bill I forgot to pay, which was obviously affecting my scores. I moved twice in the past 15 months so I guess they have sent late notices to my old address and I didn't get them. Unfortunately they refered me to a collection agency and the collection agency was much quicker to find me. My question is, I want to pay this bill and get this fixed ASAP but what's the fastest way of doing it? Should I do it through the collection agency or pay the accounts payable at the bill issuer itself and ask them to notify the collections agency?

Thanks.

p.s. also, does anyone know how long an unpaid bill will affect my score? it was in 2005 when I got these services.

 

[mzkhadir]

the bill issuer will have you pay the collection agency because it has already been sent to them.

 

[kranky]

Go to creditboards.com and read the Credit forum. You want to work it out so when you pay the bill that they remove the derogatory item from your credit report.

 

[sixone]

Do not pay anything to the collection agency until you have a settlement offer IN WRITING. Otherwise, they'll be dogging you for more money as long as they possibly can.

 

[forfor]

Thanks all, I'll follow your advice.

Any templates for this kind of writing?

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: forfor
Thanks all, I'll follow your advice.

Any templates for this kind of writing?

As Kranky mentioned, go to Creditboards. Register and read.

You will need to search for the term "Pay For Delete" or PFD. Its a common term among the credit repair guys over on that board.

 

[forfor]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: forfor
Thanks all, I'll follow your advice.

Any templates for this kind of writing?

As Kranky mentioned, go to Creditboards. Register and read.

You will need to search for the term "Pay For Delete" or PFD. Its a common term among the credit repair guys over on that board.

Thank you my friend. Will do.