People with bad credit want to pay off the collection account. However, if money is tight, it may take some time to get them paid. But, if you do step up and pay off the account, you expect the collection agency to step up also—don't you?
You can go to two...three...even four different lenders on the same day, only minutes apart, and each lender can see totally different scores for you. The most likely reason is that each lender may be using different versions of the FICO credit scoring software.
The credit reporting agencies are required by federal law to remove inaccurate information from your credit reports free of charge. However, nowhere in the law does it say they have to make it easy for you. You can make it easier on yourself though...
There is probably at least one thing on everyone´s credit reports that they wish conveyed their version of the incident. Consumer statements are total waste of time because most banks do not even look at credit reports anymore.
Increasing your existing credit limits is one of the fastest ways to increase your credit scores. But it's important your spending habits stay the same or are lower. To rush out and quickly use the new available credit would defeat the purpose.