A pay for delete letter is a negotiation tool intended to get a negative item removed from your credit report. It entails asking a creditor to remove the negative information in exchange for paying the balance.
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If you have a spotty credit history and you’re working to turn your finances around, you may be wondering how to remove negative items on your credit report. Late payments, charge-offs, credit inquiries and overdue account citations can all count against you.
There are, however, a few ways to potentially have past mistakes removed, one of which is a pay for delete letter.
Having a collection account on your credit report can significantly lower your credit score. Luckily, you can dispute collection accounts and potentially get them removed from your credit report by writing a letter to the collection agency and credit bureaus. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective letter to remove a collection account from your credit report.
Do You Have Grounds to Dispute the Collection Account?
Before disputing a collection account make sure it is inaccurately or unfairly listed on your credit report. Here are some common reasons to dispute a collection
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You don’t recognize the original creditor or account number This may indicate a case of mistaken identity.
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The dates of delinquency are incorrect. For example, the account went to collections before you actually missed a payment
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The amount owed is incorrect. The collection agency may be seeking an inflated amount.
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You have proof the debt is too old to be on your report. Collection accounts can only stay on your credit report for 7 years.
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You already paid off the account or settled it with the original creditor. The collection agency may not have updated this.
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The account is a duplicate of another collection listing.
Only dispute collections if you have a valid reason, as frivolous disputes can backfire and worsen your credit score.
Draft Your Collection Dispute Letter
Once you verify the inaccuracy, draft a formal dispute letter addressed to the collection agency. Your letter should include:
- Your full name, mailing address, and phone number
- The collection account name and number
- A clear statement that you dispute the validity of the account
- The specific reasons for your dispute, including any supporting documentation
- A request for the agency to validate the debt within 30 days or remove it from your credit report
- A request that they cease collections until providing validation
- Your signature and the date
Be sure to keep the tone professional. Stick to the facts and avoid emotional appeals. Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it was received.
You can find sample collection dispute letter templates online to help you draft your own. Be sure to customize the letter with your personal information and dispute details.
Also Dispute the Account with Credit Bureaus
In addition to the collection agency, you should also dispute the account directly with the three major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
You can submit disputes online or by mail. Include a copy of your dispute letter along with copies of any evidence supporting your claim. The credit bureaus are obligated to investigate your dispute within 30 days.
Make sure to dispute with all three bureaus, as they do not share dispute notifications.
Follow Up If You Don’t Receive a Response
According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the collection agency must respond to your dispute within 30 days of receiving it. Their response should include verification of the debt.
If you don’t receive a timely response, follow up with another dispute letter referencing your previous unanswered dispute. State that since they failed to verify the debt as requested, the account should be deleted from your credit report immediately.
Negotiate a Pay-for-Deletion Agreement
If the agency does verify the debt is valid and yours, you may be able to negotiate a pay-for-deletion agreement. This involves offering to pay off the collection account in exchange for the removal of it from your credit report.
Get any pay-for-deletion deal in writing before paying off the collection account. Be sure the letter states your payment will satisfy the debt fully and they will request deletion from all credit bureaus.
Consult a Credit Repair Company
If you are struggling to get a verified collection account removed from your credit report, consider hiring a credit repair company for assistance. They have experience successfully disputing negative items.
Look for a reputable company and beware of scams. Read reviews and confirm they follow ethical practices before handing over your personal information.
Results May Take Time
Keep in mind, it can take up to 45 days for a disputed collection to be removed or updated on your credit report. And even if removed, any late payments or other negative information related to the account may still show on your credit history.
Improving your credit takes patience and persistence. But writing effective dispute letters is a proven way to clear up any unfair, inaccurate, or unverified collection accounts from your credit report. Just be sure you have evidence to support your claims and remain professional in your correspondence. With time, your credit score should rebound after getting those unwanted collections deleted.
What happens if a pay for delete letter is rejected
You should always be prepared for the event that the collection agency rejects (or ignores) your pay for delete letter. Not all agencies will see the value in agreeing to your terms or the practice of pay for delete letters as a whole.
It’s also worth noting that any acceptance of your offer must be made and returned to you in writing. In the event of a solely verbal agreement, you won’t have the ability to prove that an agreement was reached if the collector doesn’t follow through and remove the information from your credit report.
If your letter was rejected, there are still some other routes you can take to repair your credit.
Other ways to potentially have negative credit report entries removed:
- Send a goodwill letter
- Negotiate a settlement
- Wait out the credit reporting time limit
- Hire a professional
Does pay for delete increase credit score?
Pay for delete can potentially increase your credit score if your negotiation is successful, but its impact largely depends on your overall credit profile. If you have several accounts in collections, your score is less likely to increase much from a single negative item being removed.
If you have a single account in collections, on the other hand, your chances of improving your score via pay for delete improve.
DISPUTE LETTER to debt collector: here’s exactly what you should say in 2025
FAQ
How do I write a letter to a creditor to remove from my credit report?
To request removal of incorrect information from your credit report, you should send a dispute letter to the creditor who provided the information, clearly explaining why the information is inaccurate and requesting its removal or correction.
What to say to get a collection removed?
Write the collector a goodwill letter explaining your circumstances and why you would like the debt removed, such as if you’re about to apply for a mortgage. There’s no guarantee your request will be accepted, but there’s no harm in asking. A record of on-time payments since the debt was paid will help your case.
What is a 609 letter for credit removal?
A 609 letter is a document used to formally request information from credit bureaus about items on your credit report, as per Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It’s not a dispute letter itself, but it can help you identify inaccurate or unverifiable information that you can then dispute.
What is a 623 letter?
A 623 dispute letter is a written communication submitted to a credit bureau, typically by a consumer, to dispute inaccuracies or discrepancies in their credit report.