Collections and debt guides
Your rights with debt collectors, debt validation, and how collections affect your credit.
14 guides
Medical Debt on Your Credit Report: What Is Removed and How to Dispute ItMedical debt on your credit report: paid and under-$500 medical collections are no longer reported. What the vacated CFPB rule means and how to dispute it.Credit Saint Editorial Team · 7 min readCollection Agencies and Your Credit Report: What to KnowA collection account doesn't have to define your credit. Learn how collection agencies work, your FDCPA rights, and how Credit Saint may help address inaccurate entries.Ashley Davison · 4 min readDoes Credit Repair Hurt Your Credit Score?Credit repair doesn't hurt your score, it's designed to help. Learn how disputing errors works, what myths to ignore, and how to safely improve your credit.Ashley Davison · 3 min readDoes Paying a Collection Remove It From Your Credit Report?Paying a collection updates its status but doesn't remove it from your report. Learn what actually happens, and how Credit Saint may help challenge inaccurate entries.Ashley Davison · 4 min readDoes Paying Collections Help Your Credit Score?Paying a collection account doesn't always boost your score right away. Learn how collections affect your credit, and how Credit Saint may help address inaccurate entries.Ashley Davison · 5 min readHow Do Debt Collections Affect Your Credit Score?A collection account can significantly damage your credit score. Learn how debt collections affect your credit, how long they last, and how to handle them.Ashley Davison · 2 min readHow Does Debt Settlement Affect Your Credit?Debt settlement can lower your credit score by 50 to 100+ points and leave a mark on your report for seven years. Learn how it works, its credit impact, and smarter alternatives.Ashley Davison · 2 min readHow Civil Judgments Affect Your CreditCivil judgments no longer appear on credit reports from the big three bureaus, but they still affect mortgage approvals and debt collection. Here's what to know.Jess Ramsey · 5 min readHow To Negotiate With Creditors To Settle DebtLearn how to negotiate with creditors to settle debt, step-by-step. Plus, how Credit Saint may help if the settlement is reported incorrectlyAshley Davison · 4 min readWhat Is a Credit Lock?Learn what a credit lock is, how it works, and how it compares to a credit freeze. Discover the pros, costs, and when to use a credit lock to protect your credit from identity theft.Ashley Davison · 2 min readWhat to Do If a Debt Collector Never Sent a Written NoticeNever received a written notice from a debt collector? Learn your FDCPA rights, how to dispute the debt, and what to do if it hits your credit report.Jess Ramsey · 5 min readWhen Do Collection Agencies Report to Credit Bureaus?When do collection agencies report to credit bureaus? Usually 30 to 45 days after first contact. Learn the process, your rights, and how to respond.Jess Ramsey · 4 min readHow Debt Collection WorksNavigate debt collectors with confidence. Learn how debt collection works, your rights, and when to seek professional help.Jess Ramsey · 4 min readHow Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report?Learn how long collections stay on your credit report and their impact on your score.Jess Ramsey · 3 min read
Start your credit repair today
Plans from $79.99 a month. Every plan includes the 90-day money-back guarantee.