How to Remove IQ Data International from Your Credit Report

When you forget to pay a bill, it may move to collections. This means that you may start to hear from a debt collector called IQ Data International to get you to repay the debt. If you do, this means that IQ Data International has opened a collections account on your credit report.

Collections accounts on your credit report are damaging to your credit score. Even after you pay the debt, collections accounts can remain on your credit report as paid and impact your score for up to seven years. The best way to deal with a collection report is to have it removed by the debt collector.

If you are interested in learning how to remove an IQ Data International collection entry from your credit report, check out our full how-to guide below.

What is IQ Data International?

IQ Data International is a medium-sized third-party debt collector. They were founded in 2003 and are currently headquartered in Bothell, Washington. Like most debt collectors, they are known for being aggressive and rude with their customers.

IQ Data International works mainly with property management companies to recover unpaid rent payments. You will likely hear from them if you owe a debt on rent or any other property management charge.

In addition to IQ Data International, they also operate under the name Rent Collect Global. If you hear from this company or see a similar name listed on your credit report, you will know that you are dealing with IQ Data International.

Does IQ Data International Have Any Complaints Against Them?

Unfortunately, yes. It is fairly common for debt collectors to have complaints against them because of the unpleasant nature of the business.

IQ Data International currently has 220 complaints filed with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB.) They also have about 256 complaints with the BBB. The majority of complaints are related to inaccurate reporting of debt information, harassment, and failing to respond to debt verification requests.

If you have similar experiences, you may be entitled to a $1,000 payment for each infraction. Keep records of your interactions with IQ Data International and make note of when they treat you disrespectfully or misrepresent information related to your debt.

How to Remove IQ Data International from Your Credit Report

Dealing with a debt collector isn’t pleasant, but there are some basic steps to take to ensure that you aren’t being taken advantage of.

Here are some steps to take to deal with IQ Data International and remove their entry from your credit report.

  • Know Your Rights
  • Request Communication In Writing
  • Verify The Debt
  • Negotiate a Pay for Delete
  • Hire a Professional

Know Your Rights

Debt collectors consistently take advantage of customers under the assumption that they are not aware of their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA.)

The FDCPA is federal legislation that prevents abuse from debt collectors. Under this act, debt collectors are prohibited from specific abusive practices, such as verbal abuse, calling your family or friends, lying about their identity, or misrepresenting information about your debt.

Most people aren’t aware of their rights under the FDCPA, and debt collectors take advantage of this. By understanding what you are entitled to under this act, you are arming yourself with powerful information that can help you in your fight to remove collection accounts from your credit report.

Request Communication in Writing

One of the most important steps to take when dealing with a debt collector is to request all communication in U.S. mail. Under the FDCPA, you are allowed to request that IQ Data International contact you only in writing instead of over the phone. This helps prevent consistent harassment, but it also keeps them in line when it comes to following through on promises.

By making sure that IQ Data International is only contacting you in writing, you are taking control of the situation. Make sure to hang onto all your communications with them. You never know when you will need to prove something to them or the CFPB.

Verify the Debt

Debt collectors get it wrong sometimes. It’s not uncommon for information to get lost or mixed up when it moves from an original creditor to a debt collector. This is why it’s important to verify that the debt is yours right away before you move towards making any payments on it.

Begin by writing a debt validation letter within 30 days of first contact from IQ Data International. If you are unsure how to do this, there are several templates online that can help you create one. Ask that they verify the name, dates of account activity, total debt, and any other information associated with the debt.

The date of the debt is important because of the statute of limitations regarding debt repayment. Each state has a maximum amount of time that a collector is legally allowed to pursue a debt. If they fail to pursue the debt within this time period, you are not obligated to repay the debt.

When you write your debt validation letter, make sure to request a return receipt that shows that they have received the letter. This will give you physical evidence that they have received your letter. If they ignore your request for validation, you can prove that they have received it.

Negotiate a Pay-For-Delete Agreement

Unfortunately, simply paying the debt will not get rid of the collection account on your credit report. This will only change the status of the collection entry on your credit report. You need to negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement to remove the ding from your credit report.

Many people don’t realize that debt collectors are often willing to settle for less than the full amount. Negotiate with IQ Data International to only pay back a fraction of the total balance. In exchange, they must agree to delete the collection accounts with all three major credit bureaus.

Make sure to get this agreement in writing before you make your first payment. After you submit the first payment, check with all three major credit bureaus in 30 days. If they still have the collections accounts listed on your report, contact IQ Data International and remind them of the agreement.

Hire a Professional

If you are not interested in dealing with the problem yourself, you can always employ the assistance of a credit repair professional. These are companies that are skilled in dealing with debt collectors and collection accounts.

They can help you remove dings from your credit report and get your score back on track. Be sure to do your research before you use their services, however.

Some companies are legit, but others can be total scams.

Dealing With IQ Data International

No one wants to go through the process of dealing with collection accounts, but it can help you in the long run.

Taking care of the issue early will prevent extensive damage to your credit report.

The post How to Remove IQ Data International from Your Credit Report appeared first on Better Credit Blog | Credit Help For Bad Credit.

Original Article Posted at : https://bettercreditblog.org/iq-data-international/