Fill in the form and your pay for delete letter writes itself. Send it by certified mail and keep a copy. A collector doesn't have to agree, so never pay until you have their agreement in writing.
How to use this letter
- Check that the debt is yours and the amount is right. If you're not sure, ask the collector to validate it first. You have the right to dispute a debt in writing during the validation period on the notice they sent you.
- Decide what you can pay. Collectors that bought the debt often accept less than the full balance. Only offer what you can pay right away.
- Mail it with tracking. Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of when they got it.
- Wait for a signed agreement. It should be on the collector's letterhead and say they'll ask Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to delete the account.
- Pay the way the agreement says, using a method that leaves a record. Don't give a collector access to your bank account.
- Check your credit reports 30 to 45 days later. If the account is still there, dispute it with the bureau and include the agreement.
What the letter says, and why
| Line | Why it's there |
|---|---|
| "I am not acknowledging that I owe this debt" | In some states, acknowledging an old debt in writing can restart the time a collector has to sue you. |
| Deletion from all three bureaus | A paid collection usually stays on your report unless the collector asks the bureaus to remove it. |
| Written agreement first | Phone promises are hard to prove. A signed letter is your evidence if the account isn't removed. |
| Expiration date | Keeps the offer from sitting open forever. |
Will the collector agree?
Some do and many don't. Collectors that report to the credit bureaus agree to report accurate information, and the industry's guidelines discourage deleting accurate accounts. Debt buyers are more likely to agree than original creditors. If they refuse, you can still settle or pay in full; a paid collection looks better to most lenders than an unpaid one, and newer scoring models such as FICO Score 9 and VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 ignore paid collections.
When not to send it
- The debt isn't yours or the details are wrong. Dispute it with the credit bureaus instead. That's free.
- It's medical debt. The three bureaus no longer report paid medical collections, or medical collections under $500.
- The debt is very old. Check the statute of limitations in your state first. See our statute of limitations guide.
Want the full background first? Read our pay for delete guide.