I sent a Pay to Delete letter out to a few select collection agencies that showed on my credit report.
I received one back because it was an old address and when I called to get the updated address I was put on the line with the manager because they wanted to know what the letter was for. I told them and he said they don't have the access to delete the listing from my report and there was only one way to go about that.
He said I had to pay IN FULL, no settlement and no payments. He would then mark it as paid in full and I had to dispute it with the 3 companies they report to. THOSE companies would be the one to remove it.
Now, since I have no knowledge as to how this works I have no idea if he is feeding me a bunch of BS or not.
Can anyone help me? I have no idea what to do.
Yes, it's the credit bureaus who'll get it removed from your CR. It's quite natural for the manager to seek a full payment initially. You may call him again and explain why you can't pay it in full. If you can show him through your current financial condition, probably he'd see more reason and agree to help you set up a repayment plan. On the other hand, you may simply take the help of any professional consolidation or settlement co.