The Truth About Pay for Delete: Does It Work?

Posted July 2025 · Credit Repair

“Pay for delete” is a term you might see in credit repair forums or hear from debt settlement companies. But what does it really mean—and can it actually help you clean up your credit report?

What Is Pay for Delete?

Pay for delete is an arrangement where a consumer offers to pay a debt (often a collection account) in exchange for the creditor or collection agency removing the negative mark from their credit report. The idea is simple: you pay, they delete.

Does Pay for Delete Really Work?

  • It’s not officially supported by credit bureaus. The major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) discourage the practice, and most creditors have policies against it.
  • Some collection agencies may agree anyway. Especially with older or smaller debts, some agencies will remove the account from your report if you pay in full or settle.
  • It’s never guaranteed. Even if an agency agrees verbally, they may not follow through. Always get any agreement in writing.

Risks and Realities

  • Not all creditors will do it. Many large banks and lenders refuse to remove accurate negative information, even if you pay.
  • It may violate reporting agreements. Creditors are supposed to report accurate information to the bureaus. Deleting a paid collection can be seen as “gaming the system.”
  • There’s no legal right to pay for delete. Credit bureaus and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) do not require creditors to remove accurate negative information just because you pay.

How to Try Pay for Delete (If You Choose To)

  1. Contact the collection agency in writing. Be polite and direct.
  2. Offer to pay the debt (in full or for a negotiated amount) in exchange for a written agreement to delete the account from your credit report.
  3. Get any agreement in writing before you pay. Verbal promises are not enough.
  4. Keep records of all correspondence and payments.

Alternatives to Pay for Delete

  • Dispute inaccurate information. If a collection is incorrect or outdated, dispute it with the credit bureaus.
  • Wait it out. Most negative marks fall off your credit report after 7 years.
  • Negotiate a “paid in full” or “settled” status. While not as good as deletion, a paid collection looks better to future lenders than an unpaid one.

The Bottom Line

Pay for delete can work in some cases, but it’s never guaranteed and is not officially supported by credit bureaus. If you try it, always get everything in writing and be aware of the risks. For most people, focusing on building positive credit habits and disputing inaccurate information is a safer, more reliable path to a better credit score.