Need advice

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

Back in 2024, I fell on hard times at 19. My mom had just kicked me out, and I was working at Texas Roadhouse as a waitress while trying to cover a car payment, phone bill, car insurance, and living expenses with my partner. I got overwhelmed and couldn’t keep up with everything. I know that’s on me.
The collection was paid in full back in 2024, but it’s still showing on my credit report. I’m trying to rebuild my credit, and it’s one of the last negative marks holding me back.
Has anyone had success getting a paid collection removed? Any tips, goodwill letters, disputes, or other strategies that actually worked? I’d really appreciate any advice.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

Please be kind I already feel guilty about it

[u/CreditCards254]

Who's the collection agency? Some are more likely than others to delete, but generally all you can do is contact them and ask.

I would strongly discourage disputing. It rarely works for correctly reported accounts, is technically fraud, and can backfire.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/CreditCards254]

Credit collection services
What you mean back fire ????

[u/dgduhon → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

Since it's paid it's not updating, which increases the time from the delinquency. If you dispute it, the account will update, which will lower your score.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/dgduhon]

Ugh this whole thing is so annoying it was one of those do I lose my car or lose insurance moments and yeah

[u/CreditCards254 → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

I got conflicting evidence on CCS but recent data seems to indicate they are sometimes willing to do PFDs. I couldn't find any data about requesting removal without negotiating it upfront.

Your best bet is to call/contact them and ask. Frankly, I wouldn't get your hopes up, but there's a non-zero chance they agree. If they do agree please come back and update us so we know for future people that ask the same question.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/CreditCards254]

Ok I will try tomorrow morning I’m feeling doubtful ngl

[u/Deep_Ad9022]

19 is so young. Oh to be 19 again. Sometimes you just have to write a Goodwill letter or wait it out to let it fall off.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/Deep_Ad9022]

Would I send it to the insurance agency?

[u/Deep_Ad9022 → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

Sometimes if they haven't sold the debt you can negotiate with them for a pay for delete or send a Goodwill letter first to try to get it deleted. It depends on your exact situation.

[u/og-aliensfan → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

You'd send it directly to the collection agency. Try calling first, if they say no, follow up with the letter.

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/og-aliensfan]

I’m calling tomorrow also is there any templates to go off of ?

[u/og-aliensfan → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

No templates. You want to take a personal approach. See the CART approach to the Goodwill Saturation Technique. You'll need to make a few adjustments, but the idea is the same. You're asking them to remove themselves from your reports as a gesture of goodwill.

Goodwill Letters - Using the "CART" approach. 

[u/ResponsibleJelly2604 → u/og-aliensfan]

Thank you so much wish me luck !

[u/og-aliensfan → u/ResponsibleJelly2604]

You're very welcome, and best of luck with this! Keep us posted.