Collection for MCI and another telephone company hurt my credit report and scores

Live Human
to me / show details / Feb 27
Hello Bo,
I recently purchased a copy of my credit report from all three bureaus. I saw I had two collection accounts from over a year and a half ago. This is the first time I had even heard of them. The first is for a collection agency for an MCI long distance account in the amount of $39.00. The second is from a collection agency for a telephone account in the amount of $139.00

I first called the collection agency for the telephone account and asked them what the collection was for. They informed me that they cannot provide me with that information and I would have to contact the original creditor to obtain that information. I did so and received copies of bills which did show that I had a balance on the account after I moved, which I am willing to completely admit to, and take care of. It was an oversight on my part when I moved and I do owe them this money.

I then called the collection agency back, and told them that I would do what I could to satisfy the debt if they could send me something in writing stating that they will completely remove the record from my credit report. The gentlemen asked for my address and told me he would get a letter out that same day stating something to the effect that once the debt is paid, they will update my credit report with the status as paid. I then informed him that I was actually requesting that the collection be completely removed from my credit report, and he told me that they cannot remove something from the credit report once it has been posted, its just not possible. He told me I would have to contact the original creditor to see if there was anyway they could get the record removed. I then called the original creditor and asked them if they could remove the record completely if I were to satisfy the debt. I was told that they "do nothing with credit and credit reports" and that I would have to contact the collection agency in regards to this.

This is when I realized I was getting the run-around with these two companies and started researching on the internet more. I came across your site and read just about every article pertaining to my situation. I wish I would have found your site sooner! What can I do to get these removed? Should I satisfy the debt with the original creditor if possible, then dispute the collection agencies reports? Should I continue to try to negotiate with the collection agency?

I am desperate to get these taken care of so we can purchase a house in the next 12-18 months. My wife and I have already completely paid off one high balance (87%) credit card which has not been updated on my credit report yet, and will be paying off the next high balance (87%) completely within 2 weeks. I know I can dramatically improve my score once I the reports get updated with these payoffs (continuing to keep the accounts open). The icing on the cake would be to get these collection accounts removed! I think these are hurting me just as much as, if not more than, the high balances on the credit cards. Lets see just how high I can get more score with your help! Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. I realize you are most likely a busy person, and I do sincerely appreciate the time you take to help others like me out!

Credit Scores:
581 / 591 / 674
Live Human
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Bo Majors
to Live Human / show details / Feb 27
The collections are so small I would pay them and take paid in full with no dates changed for date of last activity if possible. If these are recent, which they must be, the date want help much anyway.

Seems to be too much difference in your scores.
640's will get you in a house with decent debt / income ratios.

So I would concentrate on the 2 lower number reports at first.
Utilities do not offer much help in most cases and its is better served to pay and go on.
Sounds to me like you have done everything right and as best you can. I would keep trying if you've called only once just to make sure.
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Live Human
to me
show details / Feb 27
Thanks Bo,
The dates on the two collections are as follows:
$39.00, opened 1/06, reported 2/06
$139.00 opened 3/05, reported 1/07

There is a large difference in my credit scores as two of my loans in the past were not reported to anyone but Equifax, and one correct credit card which is not being reported to the others. I assume there is no way to get those loans/cards reported to the other agencies? Should I try working with the collection agencies, or the original creditors?

Thanks Again!
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Bo Majors
to Live Human / show details / Feb 27
I would just pay them if i got much resistance. The amounts are not enough to hurt that much other than they are new and unpaid. So paying can do nothing but help your score.