Is Pay Per/Delete/For/After Deletion Credit Repair Legit?

Pay-for-delete holds limited legitimacy for you if a creditor agrees, but lacks legal backing and carries high risks.

You negotiate directly with creditors for deletion of accurate negative items in exchange for payment. Creditors sometimes accept (especially smaller ones or errors). Success depends on your rapport and their policies. (It worked for me once with a medical bill collector after polite persistence.)

Creditors legally can refuse and re-report items. FTC warns against companies promising pay-for-delete as it's often deceptive. No federal law enforces it, so you risk wasted money and unchanged credit. Larger banks rarely agree, leaving you exposed.

Federal law, mainly the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), does not prohibit pay-for-delete agreements between you and creditors. You retain the right to negotiate deletions for accurate but non-reportable debts. FCRA mandates accurate reporting, so credit bureaus reject deletions of verifiable accurate info.

Creditors often agree for old, small debts you challenge as unverifiable. (Banks rarely delete accurate recent delinquencies.) Dispute inaccurate items separately under FCRA for free removals without payment. Bureaus like Equifax scrutinize paid deletions to ensure they meet FCRA standards.

Credit bureaus handle your deletion requests via formal disputes under the FCRA. You submit disputes online, by mail, or phone. They forward it to the creditor (data furnisher) within 30 days (often 5 business days online). The creditor investigates and verifies or disputes the info. If unverifiable, the bureau removes the item - no specific "deleted" label shows, but results say "item removed" or "not verified." You track this online in your dispute status.

Creditors respond to bureau requests by confirming accuracy or instructing deletion. In pay-for-delete deals, you negotiate directly: pay the debt, they agree to request removal from bureaus. They must honor FCRA if info is inaccurate, but won't delete accurate negative items. Bureaus accept creditor deletion requests if documented properly. Verify post-deletion via new reports.

When pay-for-delete makes sense for you

Pay-for-delete makes sense for you rarely, since most credit bureaus' policies forbid it and such deals risk scams or Fair Credit Reporting Act violations. You prioritize disputing inaccurate items through official channels first; only then weigh pay-for-delete for legitimate debts if a creditor agrees in writing, you verify everything, and you accept potential non-compliance.

• Debt is accurate, small (under $500), and old enough goodwill deletion might work without payment anyway.
• Creditor shows history of honoring deletions post-payment, per your research on reviews.
• You record all communications and get written confirmation before paying a dime.
• Free disputes failed repeatedly on verifiable errors, leaving no better option.

• You pay, creditor deletes the negative item completely from your credit report.
• You pay, creditor refuses deletion; item stays, but you can dispute it for free via bureaus.
• You pay, creditor partially deletes (e.g., removes late payments but keeps account open status).

You pay $25 to $125 per successful pay-for-delete, depending on the creditor or service. Fees apply only after deletion confirms.

Credit bureaus investigate your dispute within 30 days. Creditors add up to 15 days (total 45 days max), not 60-90 days typically.

• Pay for pay-for-delete only after you verify the deletion on all three credit reports.
• Pay flat monthly fees to CROA-compliant credit repair companies for disputes already filed.
• Pay attorneys hourly for FCRA lawsuits against violators.
• Pay for your own credit reports ($0-$15 each) to track progress.
• Pay postage for mailing your own dispute letters.

You request deletions directly from creditors using this proven pay-for-delete script. Customize names, dates, and account details before using it via certified mail or phone.

1. **Subject Line (for letter) or Opening Greeting (for call):** "Request for Pay-for-Delete Agreement on Account [Account Number]."
2. **State the facts:** "I have [Account Number] with your company, currently reporting as [delinquent/paid/settled] on my credit report with the major bureaus."
3. **Propose the deal:** "I offer to pay [specific amount, e.g., $X or full balance] in full by [date, e.g., 10 days from agreement] if you agree to delete this tradeline entirely from all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)."
4. **Specify terms:** "This deletion must show as 'deleted' on my reports within 30 days of payment, with no re-reporting."
5. **Add leverage (optional):** "Note that this account may qualify for removal under FCRA if inaccurate. I prefer a mutual pay-for-delete resolution."
6. **Close firmly:** "Confirm this agreement in writing before I pay. Contact me at [your phone/email] by [date]. Thank you."

Send via certified mail for proof. Follow up in 7-10 days if no response.

Verify a deletion after pay-for-delete by checking your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion once the creditor confirms removal or the timeline passes.

Follow these steps:

1. Obtain your credit reports. Get one free report per bureau every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com, or pay for instant access via their sites.
2. Review all three reports carefully. Search for the disputed item by name, date, and account number.
3. Confirm deletion if absent from every report. Note the date you checked.
4. Re-dispute immediately if the item remains on any report. Use the bureau's online dispute tool and reference your prior request.

You remove credit report errors without pay-for-delete using free or low-cost methods.

Dispute inaccuracies directly yourself. Credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days under FCRA. Send certified letters with proof. Track via AnnualCreditReport.com.

Consider these alternatives:

• File disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion online or by mail for free.
• Request goodwill adjustments from creditors for late payments via a polite letter script.
• Complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for credit-reporting issues; use FTC only for general fraud.
• Wait out negative items (most drop off after 7 years).
• Free credit counseling from nonprofits like NFCC.org.

These steps build your score legally and safely, often faster than risky pay-for-delete deals.

You involve a lawyer or file a complaint as soon as you suspect illegal pay-for-delete activity or face ongoing harm. Act promptly if a company demands upfront payment for guaranteed deletions, refuses to correct errors after payment, or uses deceptive tactics. Do not wait 30 days (no such rule exists).

File complaints with the CFPB, FTC, or your state attorney general if pay-for-delete providers violate FCRA by ignoring disputes or fabricating claims. Submit to credit bureaus too if they fail to investigate your requests properly. These steps pressure parties to comply without legal fees.

You hire a lawyer for complex FCRA violations, like willful noncompliance causing denied credit, or if you seek damages from scam providers. Consult one early if harm persists despite complaints. This protects your rights effectively.