Old debts can eventually become time-barred, meaning debt collectors can no longer sue you. But negative credit information related to old debts—including those that have landed in collections—can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. Paying off collection accounts could help to clean up your credit history and potentially add points back to your score. Here are some tips on how to pay off debt in collections and what to know about choosing debt settlement instead.
Gather Information on Your Debts
The first step in paying off old debts is knowing what you owe and to whom you owe it. So, start by making a list of past-due debts that includes:
Amount owedCreditor name and contact informationLast payment date
Your credit report can be a good resource for finding this information if you don’t have recent statements from creditors or debt collectors. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Again, keep in mind that some of your old debts may be time-barred. This means that the statute of limitations for enforcing collection actions against you has passed. The time frame for this varies from state to state, but it’s typically between three and six years from the last date of payment. If you have a debt that’s close to the statute of limitations, paying it off may not make sense since you can no longer be sued for it. But the delinquent debt could still stick around on your credit report for up to seven years. For decisions like this, the FTC recommends speaking with a lawyer.
Work Out a Debt Payment Plan
Once you’ve identified which old accounts you want to pay, the next step is to decide how to pay off debt in collections. You could do this on your own, or you could work out a payment plan with the help of a credit counselor.
On Your Own
Working with your creditor or debt collector on your own is the most direct approach. Essentially, you would contact the creditor or debt collector to discuss payment plan options. The advantage of doing so is that you may be able to halt any collection actions that are in progress against you, including the threat of a lawsuit. But it’s important to have a strategy going in so you don’t end up feeling pressured to commit to paying more than you can afford. So before approaching your creditors, consider:
How much you oweWhat you can afford to pay each monthHow long you think it will take to pay off old debt
With Assistance
If you’re not comfortable dealing with your creditors or debt collectors directly, you may consider getting help through credit counseling services. Credit counselors can review your budget and financial situation to help you choose a realistic strategy for how to pay off debt in collections. They can also help you create a debt management plan through which you make a single payment to the credit counselor each month. The credit counselor then distributes the payment among your creditors. This can simplify how to pay off debts when you’ve fallen behind. But your success depends on your ability to stick with the plan and your creditors’ willingness to accept it.
Settle Debt for Less Than You Owe
Debt settlement is an alternative option for paying off debt in collections. With debt settlement, you’re asking your creditors to accept less than what’s owed and cancel out the remaining debt. You can negotiate a debt settlement on your own or with the help of a debt settlement company.
On Your Own
Negotiating debt settlement on your own starts with listing out your debts to determine:
How much is owedHow far behind you are on paymentsWhat you can afford to offer as a settlement
Your creditors may expect you to offer a lump sum to settle a debt. For example, if you’re attempting to negotiate a $5,000 balance down to $3,000, you may need $3,000 in cash to seal the deal. Other creditors may allow you to break up the settlement into several smaller installment payments. This can help you clear a debt in collections but it doesn’t guarantee that negative account information will be removed from your credit report. Under current credit reporting laws, negative information that’s accurate can only be removed with the passage of time.
With Assistance
Debt settlement companies or debt relief companies can negotiate settlements for you, typically in exchange for a fee. This can save you the trouble of having to bargain down your creditors. But it’s important to know what you’re paying for, as debt settlement companies can’t necessarily get you a better deal than you might be able to get on your own. And just like with credit counseling services, it’s important to research any debt settlement company you’re considering working with to make sure it’s legitimate. Avoid any company that requires an up-front payment or makes guarantees they can settle your debt. Finally, hiring a debt settlement company may be less than ideal because the companies often ask you to stop making payments on your debt, which further hurts your credit score.
