Credit education
How to address duplicate collection accounts
Match the duplicates by original creditor, amount, and delinquency date. Only one entry should show a balance owed. Dispute each duplicate with the bureaus and the collectors, enclosing the reports that show the same debt listed more than once, and any letters showing the debt was sold.
Collections
One debt, one balance
When a debt is sold, the prior owner should report a zero balance or a transfer.
Duplicates inflate total debt and can be counted twice by underwriters.
The short answer
Match the duplicates by original creditor, amount, and delinquency date. Only one entry should show a balance owed. Dispute each duplicate with the bureaus and the collectors, enclosing the reports that show the same debt listed more than once, and any letters showing the debt was sold.
How duplicates arise
A debt may be placed with a collection agency, recalled, sold to a debt buyer, and placed again. If any company in that chain fails to update its tradeline, the debt appears more than once.
Correcting them
List each entry with the original creditor name, the amount, and the dates. Dispute the entries that should not report a balance, explaining that the debt was transferred or sold, and attach copies of the conflicting entries.
Common questions
What should I do if the same debt appears twice?
Dispute the duplicate entries in writing with each bureau and with the collectors, showing that both entries refer to the same original debt.
Primary sources referenced on this page
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Duplicate collection help
Our service page on duplicate collections.
Incorrect collection accounts
Collections that are not yours, are duplicated, or report the wrong balance.
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