Disclaimer: This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation (at no cost to you) when you click on links to those products. Read our Disclaimer Policy for more information.
Are you receiving repetitive phone calls from Southwest Credit Systems? What About Letters? Who even is Southwest Credit Systems?
These are all questions racing in your head. To provide clarity to your situation, we put together a jam-packed article that will highlight who they are, what they do, and how to remove Southwest Credit Systems from your credit report.
What is Southwest Credit Systems?
Southwest Credit Systems, LP is a debt collection agency headquartered in Carrollton, Texas. As they tout, they are the nation’s leading provider of account receivable management and consumer service solutions.
In other words, they collect debt on behalf of large corporations and government agencies who do not have the time and or resources to do it themselves.
Why is Southwest Credit Systems Appearing On My Credit Report?
If you are overdue on debt or let a bill slip through the cracks, then you are on Southwest Credit Systems radar. The company you owe the debt to most likely sold your debt to this debt collector for pennies on the dollar.
To get you to pay off the debt, Southwest Credit Systems appears on your credit report as a collections account. Aside from the rampant phone calls and letters in the mail, this is a tactic they employ to garner your attention.
However, having a collections account listed on your credit report is not good. It can remain there for up to 7-years, severely damaging your credit score unless you act quickly.
Fortunately, there are ways you can remove Southwest Credit Systems from your credit report and deal with this debt collector. Let’s dive in.
How to Remove Southwest Credit Systems From Your Credit Report
There are four proven strategies you can employ toremove a collection account from your credit report: (1) Hire a Professional, (2) Request Debt Validation, (3) Negotiate a Pay-for-Delete, and (4) Write a Goodwill Letter.
#1. Hire a Professional
If you find yourself facing off against Southwest Credit Systems, the best thing you can do is to hire one of the best credit repair companies.
These professionals will take the matter into their own hands. They will do everything in their power to remove this negative entry from your credit report.
Credit repair companies leverage their expertise and knowledge of your consumer rights under the FDCPA and FCRA to properly handle the situation. To date, they have removed thousands of negative items from credit reports and successfully repaired their customer’s credit.
We recommend Credit Saint. This firm is affordable, transparent, and brings forth years of experience to the table.
They pioneered the 90-day industry-leading refund policy. So, rest assured, Credit Saint knows how to deal with Southwest Credit Systems, LP.
>> More: Credit Saint Review
#2. Verify the Debt is Yours
If you prefer a more DIY approach, then the first thing you should do is request debt validation. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have 30-days after initial contact to request debt validation.
To do this, write Southwest Credit Systems a debt validation letterand send it via certified mail. Request a return receipt.
This leaves a “paper trail” and ensures they received the letter. Southwest Credit Systems has 30-days to provide supporting documentation that the debt belongs to you.
If they cannot validate the debt, then they must contact all three credit bureaus and remove the collection account from your credit report. But remember, this strategy is time-sensitive, so move quickly.
#3. Negotiate a Debt Settlement
Unfortunately, most people are outside the 30-day window and cannot request debt validation. If you find yourself in this situation, then the next strategy to deploy is to negotiate a debt pay-for-delete.
As the name suggests, this requires you to make a payment on your debt. To do this, write Southwest Credit Systems, LP a letter stating that you are willing to pay off the debt, but in exchange, you want the negative item removed from your credit report.
Make sure all negotiations are done through the mail. While this may take a while, it protects you in case you need to elevate the situation with the credit bureaus.
Sometimes debt collectors will agree to something over the phone, but when the rubber meets the road, they tend to back away from their side of the deal.
>> More:How to Remove a Late Payment from Your Credit Report
#4. Ask (Politely) for Goodwill Deletion
This is the last strategy you can employ. And to be completely honest, this strategy rarely works because you are asking the debt collector to do you a favor.
However, write a goodwill letter to Southwest Credit Systems. In your letter, politely ask them to remove the collection account from your credit report.
Consumers tend to have success if they include a recent hardship they endured, such as a job layoff or family emergency. Sometimes they are forgiving, but again, you are essentially asking them to do extra work for you.
Southwest Credit Systems Consumer Complaints
With the CFPB, Southwest Credit Systems has 2,000+ complaints filed against them. And with the BBB, they have another 350+ complaints.
This is proof positive that you need to hire a credit repair company who will challenge the validity of their claims, inaccurate reporting, and will thwart their harassing efforts.
Southwest Credit Systems Contact Information
- Mailing Address: 4120 International Pkwy Ste 1100, Carrollton, TX 75007-1958
- Phone Number: (972) 300 – 1700
- Toll-Free Number: (844) 759 – 1986
- Website: https://www.swcconsumer.com/index.html
**We recommend to only interact with debt collectors via certified mail**
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Southwest Credit Systems Work?
Southwest Credit Systems, LP works just like any other debt collector. They are either hired by a company or external entity to collect debt on their behalf, or they purchase your debt for pennies on the dollar.
Southwest Credit Systems collects debt for:
- Government Agencies
- Utility Companies
- Property Management Firms
- Cable Enterprises
- Telecommunication Companies
Ask yourself, did you miss a recent payment? It happens all the time. We all get caught up with our jobs, families, or face an unexpected hardship and let a bill slip through the cracks.
Again, the best thing you can do is to hire a credit repair company.
Can Southwest Credit Systems, LP, Sue Me?
While this is an unlikely occurrence, Southwest Credit Systems can sue you, barring your debt is still within your state’s statute of limitations.
If the debt is outside the statute of limitations, then they cannot sue you or pursue civil litigation; however, this does not mean you can forget about the debt. You still have to pay it off to remove the collection account.
Additionally, if you are threatened with legal action by Southwest Credit Systems, then seek professional legal counsel immediately. A licensed lawyer will help you navigate this situation.
Bottom Line: How to Remove Southwest Credit Systems From Your Credit Report
There you have it. These are four proven ways to remove Southwest Credit Systems from your credit report and to deal with this aggressive debt collector. Choose a strategy that aligns with your financial goals and expectations.
