How do you negotiate with collection agencies to pay the debt and get paid collection accounts removed from your credit report?

Collection agencies typically purchase debt portfoliOS at auction for pennies on the dollar. The older the debt the less valuable it becomes. Your debt may have been sold and resold about every 90 days. Use the following to estimate what the collection agency paid at auction; 60 day old or less 50-80% 90 day old or less 45-75% 180 day old or less 10-45% over six months 3-10% For example if the collection agency bought your 6 mo old $1000 debt, they likely only paid $30-$100 for it. You can negotiate with the collection agencies and offer them a one time cash settlement offer that is slightly higher than what you estimate that they paid. Beware that they are professional debt collectors and they will pressure you into making installments for the full amount owed. They will never admit that they bought your debt for pennies on the dollar and will insist that you make payments in full. Hold firm to your settlement offer price. If the first company that you deal with will not accept your offer, just wait a few months until they sell your collection account to a different collection agency. When the collection Agency accepts your settlement offer verbally, you must get the agreement in writing before sending any money. The agreement must state that, xyz company agrees to accept $xx as payment in full for the debt of $xx. After you have the agreement and proof of payment, dispute the collection account record with all three credit reporting agencies. Stating that the information on file is "inaccurate" as the debt is paid satisfactory.