By the end: Handle collections and charge-offs safely — build positive accounts and let FundFoundr lead.
Lesson 4
Your written lesson
Everything you need is right here. A video walkthrough is on the way.
Collections and charge-offs feel urgent, and that's exactly why the first move is to slow down. Do not pay, call, or reply to any collector — even to ask a question — without checking with FundFoundr first. Here's why that matters so much: paying a collection often does not raise your score the way people expect, and contacting a collector on your own can create complications for the dispute work we're doing and can have consequences that vary by your situation. There are timing and strategy questions here that depend on your specific file — let us handle them with you.
What you can do on your side, productively: keep building positive accounts (a secured card or credit-builder loan), keep utilization low, and watch all three reports for anything new so you can flag it to us. That positive history is what lifts your file while we work the negative items.
What to avoid: calling collectors to "negotiate"; paying a collection assuming your score will jump; and disputing things on your own. FundFoundr handles dispute strategy — that's our job, and doing it in parallel on your own can work against the plan.
Do this now
Make a list of every collection or charge-off you see, and send it to FundFoundr — don't contact any of them yourself.
⚙ Check with FundFoundr first
Before opening new credit, paying any collection, or contacting any creditor or collector, check with FundFoundr first. What's right depends on your specific situation and what's currently happening on your file — we're here to help you time it correctly.
⚖ We handle disputes
FundFoundr handles dispute strategy on your behalf. This course supports your habits and understanding — it does not replace the work we do on your file. Do not file disputes, contact bureaus, or respond to collection notices on your own without checking with us.
A collector calls about an old debt. What do you do?
Don't pay, call, or reply to any collector without checking with FundFoundr first. Paying often doesn't raise your score the way people expect, and contacting them can complicate things.
Paying a collection always raises your score right away.
Often it doesn't move your score the way people expect. The strategy depends on your file — let FundFoundr guide it.