If you’re working toward rebuilding your credit after a less-than-perfect credit history, and you come across Choice Recovery on your credit report, you might wonder what this is about. And if this company a recent appearance, you may notice that your score has taken a hit. When you see a detrimental item like this on your report, you have a few choices. You can let anxiety take over and resort to worrying, you can avoid it and pretend it’s not there, or you can decide to tackle this collection item head on. In this article, we will guide you to the proactive choice, with 3 simple steps to help you delete Choice Recovery from your credit report. We will also address the legitimacy of Choice Recovery and give you essential background information. Let’s get started on your path to credit recovery.
Understanding Choice Recovery
First, let’s explain who Choice Recovery is. Choice Recovery is a debt recovery company over 25 years old that operates in the United States. It is based in Columbus, Ohio. Their primary objective is to recover outstanding debts on behalf of their clients, who are medical providers, financial institutions, and telecommunications companies.
For example, if a borrower has defaulted on a dental bill, student loan or rent, the creditor can hire Choice Recovery to collect the outstanding balance. Choice Recovery will then contact the borrower in an attempt to recoup payment. As a debt collector, they make a percentage of the amount they are able to collect from debts in default.
Is Choice Recovery Legitimate?
Choice Recovery is a legitimate debt recovery company operating within the bounds of the law. However, like any collection agency, it is essential to use caution when dealing with the, and understand your rights as a consumer. Remember that you have the right to request debt validation, dispute inaccuracies, and negotiate with debt collectors.
Step 1: Request Debt Validation:
The first step in removing Choice Recovery from your credit report is to request debt validation. The FDCPA states that debt validation is your right as a consumer. That means you have the right to ask for proof that the debt belongs to you and that Choice Recovery has the legal authority to collect it. This step helps you be certain that the debt is accurate and legitimate. As you may be aware, there are many cases of fraud and identity theft that also could cause collections accounts to show up on credit reports in error. So, you want to be sure you are the actual owner of the debt.
To initiate the debt validation process, you can use this free debt validation template from CambioMoney. Fill in your info, print it and send via certified mail to:
Choice Recovery
1105 Schrock Rd Suite 700
Columbus, OH 43229
In the letter, you are requesting debt validation and asking for specific information, like the original creditor’s name, the original account number, and detailed documentation proving the debt’s validity. Choice Recovery is legally obligated to respond to your request within 30 days of receiving it.
Step 2: Dispute Inaccuracies:
Once you receive a response to your validation request from Choice Recovery, carefully review the provided documentation. Look for any inaccuracies, inconsistencies, or missing information. If you find any errors, you have the right to dispute the debt with the credit bureaus.
To dispute the debt, write a letter to each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) where the debt is listed. (You can use this free debt dispute template.) In the letter, clearly explain the reasons for your dispute, attach any supporting evidence. Then request that the credit bureau investigates the matter. The credit bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days and inform you of the results.
If the credit bureau finds that the debt is inaccurate or cannot be verified, they are required to remove it from your credit report. However, if the debt is verified as accurate, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Negotiate a Pay-for-Delete Agreement:
If the debt is verified and remains on your credit report after the dispute process, you can try negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement with Choice Recovery. A pay-for-delete agreement is an an offer to pay the debt in exchange for the debt collector deleting the account from your credit report.
Start by contacting Choice Recovery by phone, and let them know you want to resolve the debt. Your job is to negotiate with them to reach an agreement on the amount you can pay. And it’s likely that you hope to pay much less than the stated debt obligation. But the debt collector wants to collect the maximum amount of the debt. So you will need to work toward an amount in the middle. This will take patience as you work toward an agreed amount.
Ensure that you clearly state your condition that, upon receiving payment, Choice Recovery must remove the account from your credit report entirely. Get the agreement in writing before you begin paying the debt.
Once you’ve made the payment in full, monitor your credit report closely to ensure that Choice Recovery complies with the agreement. If they fail to delete the account as promised, you can dispute the item again with the credit bureaus, and they will remove it form your credit.
Deleting Choice Recovery from Your Credit History
Deleting Choice Recovery from your credit report is a crucial step toward improving your credit. By following the 3 simple steps to delete choice recovery from your credit report in this article, you can make progress toward removing the Choice Recovery account and improve your score. Remember to request debt validation, dispute inaccuracies, and, if necessary, negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement.
You can also take advantage of the Cambio app, if you would prefer to have assistance going through the process of dealing with Choice Recovery.
Either way you choose to confront a debt collector, you should stay persistent throughout the process. Maintain your composure when communicating with the representative from Choice Recovery, and remain focused on your goal of rebuilding your credit. With determination and the right strategies, you can soon be on the path to a healthier credit profile.
