Designed by Cursive Media

What is a Collection on a Credit Report

Joe Mahlow avatar

by Joe Mahlow •  Updated on Jul. 23, 2023

What is a Collection on a Credit Report
A caption for the above image.

What is a Collection

A collection is a type of account that is reported on your credit report when you have failed to pay a creditor or lender the amount that you owe them. When you default on a debt, the creditor or lender may turn your account over to a collections agency, which is a company that specializes in recovering outstanding debts. The collections agency will then attempt to contact you and collect the unpaid debt. If the debt is not paid, the collections agency may report the collection account to the credit reporting agencies, which will be reflected on your credit report.

Collection accounts can have a negative impact on your credit score because they indicate that you have had difficulty paying your debts in the past. Lenders and creditors may view this as a risk when considering your creditworthiness. It is important to try to resolve collection accounts as soon as possible, as they can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, even after they have been paid off.

What process is used for reporting a collection to a credit report?

When a creditor or lender turns an account over to a collections agency, the collections agency will typically attempt to collect the unpaid debt by contacting you and negotiating a payment plan or settlement. If the debt is not paid or settled, the collections agency may report the collection account to the credit reporting agencies, which will be reflected on your credit report.

To report a collection to a credit report, the collections agency will typically send a report to one or more of the major credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) with information about the collection account, including the creditor's name, the amount of the debt, and the status of the account (such as unpaid or paid). The credit reporting agencies will then include this information in your credit report, which may be accessed by lenders and creditors when you apply for credit or loans.

It is important to keep in mind that collection accounts can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, even after they have been paid off. It is therefore important to try to resolve collection accounts as soon as possible to minimize the negative impact on your credit score. If you believe that a collection account on your credit report is incorrect or that you do not owe the debt, you may be able to dispute the account with the credit reporting agencies or the collections agency to have it removed from your credit report.

What credit bureaus can report collection accounts?

Collection accounts can be reported to any of the major credit reporting agencies, which include Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. These credit reporting agencies collect and maintain credit information from a variety of sources, including creditors, lenders, and collection agencies, and use this information to create credit reports for individuals.

When a collection agency reports a collection account to the credit reporting agencies, the account will be reflected on your credit report, which may be accessed by lenders and creditors when you apply for credit or loans. Collection accounts can remain on your credit report for up to seven years, even after they have been paid off, so it is important to try to resolve collection accounts as soon as possible to minimize the negative impact on your credit score.

If you have a collection account on your credit report and believe it is incorrect or that you do not owe the debt, you can dispute the account with the credit reporting agencies or the collections agency to have it removed from your credit report. It is also a good idea to review your credit report regularly to ensure that all of the information is accurate and up-to-date. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of the major credit reporting agencies once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

When is an account sold to a collection agency?

An account may be sold to a collection agency when you have failed to make the required payments on your debt for an extended period of time. This period of time can vary depending on the terms of your agreement with the creditor or lender and state laws. Some creditors or lenders may choose to turn over an account to a collection agency after just a few missed payments, while others may wait longer.

If your account has been turned over to a collection agency, you may receive notice of this in the mail or by phone. The collection agency will typically attempt to contact you to discuss payment options and try to collect the unpaid debt. It is important to try to resolve the collection account as soon as possible, as it can have a negative impact on your credit score and remain on your credit report for up to seven years, even after it has been paid off.

How much can a collection account impact your credit score?

Collection accounts can have a significant impact on your credit score, but the exact amount will depend on several factors, including your credit history and the rest of your credit report. In general, collection accounts are viewed as negative by lenders and creditors because they indicate that you have had difficulty paying your debts in the past. This can make it more difficult to get approved for new credit or loans and may result in higher interest rates.

The impact of a collection account on your credit score will also depend on the severity of the account and how it is reported to the credit reporting agencies. For example, an unpaid collection account with a high balance may have a greater negative impact on your credit score than a smaller, paid collection account. Additionally, an account that is reported as "unpaid" or "in collection" will typically have a more negative impact than an account that is reported as "paid" or "settled."

It is important to keep in mind that credit scores are dynamic and can change over time as your credit history and other credit report information changes. If you have a collection account on your credit report, it is a good idea to try to resolve it as soon as possible to minimize the negative impact on your credit score. You can also work on improving your credit score by making on-time payments on your other debts and keeping your credit utilization low.

Why is debt consolidation a bad way to remove a collection from your credit report?

Debt consolidation is the process of combining multiple debts into a single, larger loan or account in order to simplify your monthly payments and potentially reduce your interest rates. While debt consolidation can be a helpful tool for managing your debts, it is generally not a good way to remove a debt from your credit report.

When you consolidate your debts, you are essentially taking out a new loan to pay off your existing debts. This new loan will be reflected on your credit report, and the individual debts that you consolidated will typically be reported as "paid" or "settled." While this may improve your credit score to some extent by showing that you have taken steps to resolve your debts, it does not remove the original debts from your credit report. The credit reporting agencies will continue to report your payment history and any outstanding balances for these debts, even if they have been consolidated.

If you are trying to remove a debt from your credit report, there are other options to consider, such as negotiating with the creditor or lender to have the debt removed in exchange for payment, or disputing the debt if you believe it is incorrect or not yours. It is always a good idea to speak with a credit counselor or financial advisor to discuss your options and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

How can you avoid a collection from hitting your credit report?

There are several steps you can take to avoid having a collection account reported on your credit report:

  1. Keep track of your debts and make sure to pay them on time: Late payments and missed payments can lead to a collection account, so it is important to keep track of your debts and make sure you are paying them on time.
  2. Communicate with your creditors: If you are having trouble making your payments, reach out to your creditors or lenders as soon as possible. They may be able to offer you a payment plan or other options to help you get back on track.
  3. Consider consolidating your debts: If you have multiple debts and are having trouble keeping track of them all, consolidating your debts into a single, larger loan or account can help simplify your monthly payments and potentially reduce your interest rates.
  4. Seek help from a credit counselor: If you are having difficulty managing your debts, consider speaking with a credit counselor or financial advisor. They can help you create a budget, negotiate with creditors, and explore other options for resolving your debts.
  5. It is important to keep in mind that even if you take these steps, there is no guarantee that a collection account will not be reported on your credit report. If you do end up with a collection account, it is important to try to resolve it as soon as possible to minimize the negative impact on your credit score.

What are some laws that collection agencies regularly break that are considered violations?

There are several federal and state laws that regulate the actions of collection agencies, and collection agencies can be held responsible for violating these laws. Some common violations include:

  1. Harassment or abuse: Collection agencies are prohibited from using abusive, threatening, or harassing language or tactics to collect a debt.
  2. Unfair practices: Collection agencies are not allowed to use deceptive or misleading practices to collect a debt, such as pretending to be someone else or pretending to be affiliated with the government.
  3. Disclosure of debt information: Collection agencies are required to provide certain information about the debt and the creditor when they contact you, such as the amount of the debt and the creditor's name.
  4. Contacting you at inconvenient times: Collection agencies are generally prohibited from contacting you at inconvenient times, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you have agreed to be contacted at these times.
  5. Contacting you at work: Collection agencies are generally prohibited from contacting you at work if you have told them that your employer does not allow you to receive personal calls during work hours.

If you believe that a collection agency has violated any of these laws or has engaged in any other unlawful or unethical practices, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or your state's attorney general's office. It is also a good idea to speak with a consumer protection attorney to discuss your options.

Whats the best tactic to use to dispute a collection account

If you have a collection account on your credit report and believe it is incorrect or that you do not owe the debt, you may be able to dispute the account to have it removed from your credit report. Here are some steps you can take to dispute a collection account:

  1. Gather supporting documentation: To support your dispute, you should try to gather any documentation that may be relevant, such as copies of payment receipts, letters from the creditor or collections agency, or proof of identity theft.
  2. Write a letter to the credit reporting agency: In your letter, explain why you believe the collection account is incorrect or that you do not owe the debt. Include any supporting documentation and be as specific as possible.
  3. Write a letter to the collections agency: You should also send a letter to the collections agency disputing the account. In your letter, include any supporting documentation and explain why you believe the account is incorrect or that you do not owe the debt.
  4. Keep records of your communication: It is important to keep a record of all of your communication with the credit reporting agency and the collections agency, including copies of your letters and any responses you receive.

It is important to keep in mind that disputing a collection account is not a guarantee that the account will be removed from your credit report. If the collections agency can provide proof that the debt is valid and that you owe the money, the account may not be removed from your credit report even if you dispute it. Additionally, the process of disputing a collection account can take time, during which the account will continue to be reflected on your credit report and potentially have a negative impact on your credit score. It is always a good idea to speak with a credit counselor or financial advisor to discuss your options and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Why Credit Repair is a great option for helping with removing collections?

Credit repair is a process that involves working with a company or professional to identify and dispute errors or incorrect information on your credit report. While credit repair cannot remove legitimate debts from your credit report, it can be an effective way to remove errors or inaccuracies that may be negatively impacting your credit score.

If you have a collection account on your credit report that you believe is incorrect or not yours, credit repair may be able to help you have it removed. This can be particularly useful if the collection account was a result of identity theft or if you have proof that the debt was paid off. By working with a credit repair company or professional, you can dispute the collection account with the credit reporting agencies and potentially have it removed from your credit report.

Keep in mind that credit repair is not a guaranteed solution and may not always result in the removal of a collection account from your credit report. Additionally, credit repair can be a time-consuming and expensive process, and there are some credit repair companies that may not be reputable or may not provide the services that they promise. It is important to do your research and carefully consider your options before working with a credit repair company or professional.

Comment Section