 TITLE: Do I Have to Notify Experian to Remove Collections? CONTENT: What to Do When You Find Out Your Debt Is in Collections\n--------------------------------------------------------\nFinding out a debt has gone into collections is never a happy experience. It happens when you've fallen behind in your payments—typically by three monthly payments or more. If this happens to you, both the late or missed payments and a collection account may appear on your credit report, and will likely have a negative effect on your credit score.\nIf you've been contacted by a debt collector, do everything you can to manage the situation proactively. By learning your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and making an honest effort to pay back your debt, you may be able to contain the damage. Bear in mind:\n*   Before agreeing to anything, request details about the debt in writing.\n*   You have the right to ask a debt collector to stop contacting you, in writing.\n*   Ignoring calls from a debt collector won't make your debt go away. You may be able to work with a collector to find a manageable solution. Read up on the debt collection process to get familiar with how it works. END