Pay-for-delete promises to erase collection debt from your credit report, but the results of this strategy can vary.

Disputing collections debt can protect your credit, but only if you know when it actually makes sense to do so.

The statute of limitations also plays a critical role. Each state sets time limits on how long a creditor can sue you for ...

Debt settlement requires you to pay a lump sum to creditors for less than you owe and have the remaining balance forgiven. To choose the right debt settlement company, compare the cost, eligibility ...

SPONSORED CONTENT is content paid for by a partner. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Money Research Collective’s editorial team ...

It’s sometimes a good idea to pay off a collection account in full. If that’s not possible, you have other options. For example, you could negotiate with debt collectors yourself, or join hands with a ...

SPONSORED CONTENT is content paid for by a partner. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Money Research Collective’s editorial team ...

In April 2025, Freedom Debt Relief reviewed data from tens of thousands of people actively looking for help with their debt. The numbers might be surprising. About one in four has at least one account ...