How to errase Collection items on my credit report?

I signed a lease for an appartment and then I moved to my house and gave the appartment to my roomate. When I moved out he didn't pay the bills and collection agency started calling me. I paid the bills but its on my records now. Can I get it off the credit report as I was never contacted. Am I still entitled to all the bills as I signed on for the lease? Any way to clear that out?

How to errase Collection items on my credit report?
You have a couple options. First would be to go through the debt validation/dispute process (known as the 1-2 punch) and generally that will solve the problem, especially if they are paid.





If that doesn't work, you can try sending a "goodwill" letter asking them to remove the negative marks. Creditboards.com and CreditInfoCenter.com all have good information and sample letters you can use.
Reply:Do you know if it's actually hit your credit report? Most don't. When you move from an apartment you need to switch your name from the utilities. If not, you are ultimately responsible. You can get a free credit report, and if they show up, dispute them. You may want to consider suing this individual in small claims court.
Reply:sure just write a letter of dispute and send it to them and tell them you have paid it off and want it removed if not you can report it to the BBB or consumer fraud and file a complaint
Reply:You can dispute the record but if it turns out to be valid, it remains for seven years regardless. Get copies of all three credit reports and simply write to them to give your side of the story. If they cannot verify the information, it has to be removed. You have nothing to lose.
Reply:visit creditboards.com they will have sample letters and tell you how to go about the disputing process the best way. it is free. i have used i to get some items deleted.


need a credit card visit


http://creditcardwarehouseonline.com
Reply:So, you moved out, left the bills in YOUR name and also never filed a change of address form?





Even if it was the companies job to inform you that your account is overdue (which it is not), they would send notice to the billing address which you provided. Did you ever bother to check the mail at your old apartment? Did you ever attempt to provide them with your new contact info? Did you ever check in to make sure your old roommate was paying the bill on time?





Clearly not. You abandoned your open accounts with these companies, which you had an obligation to pay, and did nothing to ensure that they would be paid the money owed to them. Doesn't matter if you eventually paid them back....Your actions were still incredibly irresponsible, say a lot about your character, and that is why it's going to stay on your credit report for the next 7 years.





Consider it a "life lesson".
Reply:You can also place a statement on the account explaining the situation. Something like "Apartment was sub-leased and I was not made aware of my tenant's failure to pay until after this was reported. Account has been settled."