How to Remove Harris & Harris From Your Credit Report

Have you recently noticed “Harris & Harris” on your credit report and felt worried? You’re definitely not alone. Harris & Harris is a debt collection agency, and seeing their name on your credit report means they are trying to collect a debt you owe. This can have a significant impact on your credit score and overall financial health, so it’s important to tackle it head-on.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to remove Harris & Harris from your credit report. Whether the debt is legitimate or a mistake, it’s crucial to know your rights and understand the process of disputing and potentially removing this entry. We’ll provide straightforward, practical advice to help you protect your credit and have peace of mind.

What is Harris and Harris?

Harris and Harris is a debt collection agency that works with various creditors to recover unpaid debts. If you see “Harris & Harris” on your credit report, it means they have been assigned or purchased the debt you owe, and they are responsible for collecting the payment on behalf of the original creditor. You can see one of their different names in your credit report:

• Harris & Harris Limited
• Harris Harris
• Harris and Harris Ltd
• Harris Collection
• Harris and Harris Debt Collectors

Who Does Harris and Harris Collect For?

Harris & Harris works with a wide range of clients to collect unpaid debts. They often handle collections for healthcare providers, utility companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and telecom companies.

If you see their name on your credit report, it means one of these organizations has hired them to recover what you owe. When you refuse to pay a collection, Harris & Harris will continue to contact you persistently, leave negative marks on your credit report, or take legal action. Below are the steps to remove Harris & Harris from your credit report.

How to Remove Harris and Harris From Your Credit Report

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you remove Harris and Harris from your credit report:

1. Verify the Debt

First, ensure the debt is accurate. Request validation from Harris and Harris by sending a Debt Validation Letter within 30 days of their first contact. They must provide details proving the debt is yours. Or contact them and ask them about the debt they are trying to collect from you. Here are their contact and location details:

To pay a debt call: 1-800-362-0097

Clients call: 1-866-781-4538

Address: 111 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 400 Chicago, IL 60604

Note: Debt collectors may even consider dropping the case after receiving your Debt Validation Letter.

2. Check for Errors

Review your credit report for any mistakes. If the debt is incorrect or you don’t recognize it, gather any evidence that supports your claim.

3. Dispute with Credit Bureaus

If you find inaccuracies, file a dispute with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You can do this online, by mail, or by phone. Include copies of any evidence you have.

4. Negotiate a Settlement

If the debt is really valid but you want it removed, negotiate with Harris and Harris. Offer to pay a portion of the debt in exchange for them removing the entry from your credit report. Get any agreement in writing before making a payment.

5. Seek Professional Help

If the process feels overwhelming, consider seeking help from a credit repair company or a consumer law attorney. They can assist in disputing the debt and negotiating with the collection agency.

6. Monitor Your Credit

Regularly check your credit report to ensure that any agreed-upon changes are reflected. Monitoring your credit helps you catch any future errors early.

Try using popular tools like Cushion to help build your credit. By subscribing to apps like Cushion, you can pay your bills with their virtual debit card, which reports all your current purchases and payments to the credit bureaus. This not only helps you manage your recurring payments in the app but also contributes positively to your credit score.

Does Harris and Harris Report to Credit Bureaus?

Yes, Harris & Harris does report to credit bureaus. If they’re collecting a debt from you, they’ll report your payment activity, including any missed or late payments, to the major credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This can affect your credit score, so it’s important to deal with any debts they’re handling as soon as possible.

Can You Negotiate with Harris and Harris?

Yes, you can definitely negotiate with Harris & Harris. Start by reaching out to them to discuss your situation. If the debt is valid and Harris & Harris provides the right documentation, it’s best to pay it off if you can.

If you refuse to pay, you might face legal action, but they often prefer to work out a settlement where you pay back less than the original debt. Just make sure to get any agreement in writing before you make a payment. This can help you manage your debt better and improve your credit situation.

What Happens If I Am Sued by Harris & Harris?

While Harris & Harris usually won’t take legal action, it’s important to be prepared just in case. If they do sue you, your first step should be to respond with a written answer. Here are six tips to help you draft an answer that can strengthen your case and improve your chances in court:

1. Keep it simple: Your answer isn’t the place to share your entire story. Instead, focus on directly responding to the claims in the complaint document. You should either admit, deny, or say you lack the knowledge to confirm or deny each claim.
2. Deny as much as possible: Many lawyers suggest denying as many claims as you can. This puts the burden on Harris & Harris to provide more proof.
3. Use affirmative defenses: These are legal reasons why Harris & Harris shouldn’t win. A common defense is the statute of limitations, which limits the time they have to sue you. If the debt is too old, the lawsuit isn’t valid.
4. Follow standard formatting: At the beginning of your answer, include a caption with the court’s information, the parties involved, and the case number.
5. Serve Harris & Harris: After completing your answer, make sure to serve it to Harris & Harris. Include a certificate of service at the end of your document to confirm you sent it to the right address.
6. Don’t forget to sign: Any legal document without a signature is usually rejected by the court, so be sure to sign your answer.

Is Harris & Harris a Legit Debt Collector?

Yes, Harris & Harris is a legitimate debt collection agency, but they’ve had their share of issues. As of August 2024, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has logged over 347 complaints against them, giving them a 1.1/5 star rating. It seems many people have reported harassment and excessive phone calls without proper debt validation.

Credit Bureaus Contact Information for Disputes

Dealing with Harris & Harris on your credit report can be stressful, but having the right resources and contacts can make the process much easier. Below, you’ll find important contact information for the major credit bureaus:

Equifax

• Website: Equifax Disputes
• Mailing Address: Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
• Phone: 1-888-378-4329

Experian

• Website: Experian Disputes
• Mailing Address: Experian National Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• Phone: 1-888-397-3742 for general inquiries and fraud alerts

TransUnion

• Website: TransUnion Disputes
• Mailing Address: TransUnion Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
• Phone: (800) 916-8800 for general inquiries

Related article: How to Remove Wakefield & Associates from Your Credit Report

Summary

Harris & Harris is a debt collection agency that works with various creditors to recover unpaid debts. Here we summarize the process on how to remove Harris and Harris from your credit report:

1. Verify the debt: Ask Harris & Harris to validate the debt to ensure it’s accurate.
2. Check for errors: Carefully review your credit report and gather evidence if there are mistakes.
3. Dispute with credit bureaus: File disputes with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion if you find inaccuracies.
4. Negotiate a settlement: Offer to pay part of the debt in exchange for removing it from your credit report, and get the agreement in writing.
5. Seek professional help: Consider hiring a credit repair service or consumer law attorney if needed.
6. Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit report to catch and correct future errors early.

Handling debt collectors can be really stressful, but it’s essential to stay proactive. Regularly monitoring your credit report can help you catch and resolve issues early. If the process feels overwhelming, consider seeking help from a credit repair company or a consumer law attorney.

Tools like Cushion can also help you manage your payments and build your credit over time. By taking these steps, you can work on improving your credit score and have a peace of mind.