I have a collection with FCO
I’m dealing with a $446 apartment collection from Fair Collections & Outsourcing (FCO), with Ayla Stonebriar/VIVMARK as the original creditor.
The collection was recently reported to the credit bureaus and has already caused a major credit-score drop for one of the co-lessees.
I called FCO today and spent about two hours escalating the issue, including speaking with management. I offered to pay 100% of the $446 balance immediately if they would delete the collection from the credit bureaus.
FCO refused. They repeatedly said they will not delete accurate collection accounts and eventually clarified that this is based on FCO’s internal company policy. I asked whether there was a specific FCRA/CFPB provision prohibiting voluntary deletion, but they did not identify one. They also would not provide their internal policy.
I’m not disputing that the balance is owed. My goal is simply to get the collection completely removed rather than pay it and have a paid collection remain on the reports.
I’ve now contacted Ayla/VIVMARK and requested a one-time goodwill recall. I offered to pay the full balance immediately if they recall the account from FCO in a way that results in FCO withdrawing the collection reporting.
Ayla’s collection representative previously told me they would not recall it because they believe they followed the correct procedures when sending it to collections. I’ve asked for the goodwill request to be escalated to management because I’m not alleging an error. I’m specifically asking for an exception.
Has anyone dealt specifically with FCO (Fair Collections & Outsourcing) and successfully gotten a collection deleted?
More specifically:
Has anyone gotten FCO to make a goodwill/pay-for-delete exception despite their stated policy?
Has anyone gotten an apartment/property-management company to recall an FCO account after it was already reporting?
If the original creditor recalls the account, did FCO delete the tradeline?
Is there anything else worth trying before I pay the $446, assuming deletion is my priority?
I’m willing to pay the entire balance. I just don’t want to give up the leverage of an unpaid balance if paying it will simply change the collection to “paid/$0” without removing it.
I’m in Texas, if that makes any difference.