Have an attorney write a letter for you, demanding removal of the account. This often works even for unpaid collections. File a CFPB complaint against the collector, and demand more information about the account, through that complaint. This can be a very effective tactic.
Call or write to the collection agency asking to have the account deleted as a gesture of goodwill. The collection agency doesn't have to comply, but there's no harm in asking. You may have better luck getting a goodwill deletion if you have a history of on-time payments to the original creditor.
I am writing in regards to the above-referenced debt to inform you that I am disputing this debt. Please verify the debt as required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I am disputing this debt because I do not owe it. Because I am disputing this debt, you should not report it to the credit reporting agencies.
You can serve it via mail, email, an attorney and, in some cases, in person. However you choose to serve the letter, keep a record of delivery and receipt by the offending party. If you are sending the cease-and-desist letter yourself, send it via certified mail so that you have a record of delivery.
A Cease and Desist Letter aims to resolve a dispute before going to court. This written notice requests that an individual or business stop some action that infringes on your rights. It may ask that the other party halt the illegal activity or end some form of harassment.
Your letter should identify each item you dispute, state the facts, explain why you dispute the information, and ask that the business that supplied the information take action to have it removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your report with the item(s) in question circled.
To dispute and win a collection, send a formal collection dispute letter to the creditor or collection agency within 30 days of receiving the claim. Gather comprehensive documentation, verify the debt's accuracy against contracts and records, and articulate discrepancies clearly in the letter.
If you write a letter, instead of using the tear-off form, the debt dispute letter should include your personal identifying information; verification of the amount of debt owed; the name of the creditor for the debt; and a request the debt not be reported to credit reporting agencies until the matter is resolved or ...
You should dispute a debt if you believe you don't owe it or the information and amount is incorrect. While you can submit your dispute at any time, sending it in writing within 30 days of receiving a validation notice, which can be your initial communication with the debt collector.
If you are writing the letter yourself, you should include the following information: Your name and contact information. Name and contact information of the person or business being asked to stop the behavior. Specifics about the activity you wish them to stop.