Dealing with debt collections can be stressful, especially when it comes to your credit report. Many individuals explore options like “pay-for-delete” (PFD) to remove collection accounts from their credit history. If you’re considering this approach with Merchants Credit Guide Company, understanding the process and ensuring you have sufficient documentation is crucial.
Recently, someone attempted to negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement with Merchants Credit Guide Company for two medical bills in collection. After initial contact, they received an email from Daniel F. Burtis, President & CEO of Merchants’ Credit Guide Company. This email stated that upon payment of $1,098, the company would delete the collection items from credit bureau reports and send a confirmation letter.
The core question is: Is this email from Merchants Credit Guide Company a sufficient guarantee for a pay-for-delete agreement?
While the email does explicitly state the terms of the pay-for-delete agreement – payment in exchange for deletion – it’s wise to approach such agreements with cautious optimism. An email can serve as written confirmation, but it’s important to evaluate its key components.
This email from Merchants Credit Guide Company includes several elements that lend it credibility:
- Identified Sender: It clearly states it’s from Daniel F. Burtis, President & CEO, lending an air of authority.
- Company Letterhead (Implied): Although not explicitly stated as letterhead in the text provided, emails from businesses usually carry digital signatures or footers acting as such. The contact information and website link further validate the sender’s affiliation with Merchants Credit Guide Company.
- Clear Terms: The email clearly outlines the amount due ($1,098), the accounts in question (Emergency Medical Associates of Palos), and the promise of deletion from credit reports upon payment.
- Offer of Confirmation Letter: The promise to send a confirmation letter after deletion adds another layer of assurance.
However, even with these seemingly positive indicators, exercising due diligence is paramount. While this email appears to be a reasonable commitment from Merchants Credit Guide Company, it’s always prudent to consider best practices when dealing with pay-for-delete agreements.
For optimal security, ideally, you would want a more formal written agreement, perhaps a signed letter on company letterhead. However, in today’s digital age, email communication is often considered legally binding, especially when it contains clear terms and is sent from a verifiable company email address.
Recommendations:
- Proceed with Caution: While the email is encouraging, proceed cautiously.
- Document Everything: Keep a record of the email and all communication with Merchants Credit Guide Company.
- Make Payment as Agreed: If you decide to proceed, make the payment as instructed in the email.
- Monitor Your Credit Reports: After payment and the promised timeframe, diligently monitor your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to ensure the collection items are indeed deleted.
- Follow Up: If the items are not deleted as promised, follow up with Merchants Credit Guide Company, referencing the email agreement.
In conclusion, the email from Merchants Credit Guide Company provides a strong indication of their willingness to honor a pay-for-delete agreement. While a more formal letter might offer a slightly higher degree of security, this email, with its clear terms and company identification, can be considered a reasonable basis to proceed, provided you remain vigilant and monitor your credit reports for the promised deletions.
