Short answer: You can remove Harris and Harris from your credit report by checking for mistakes, asking them to prove the debt, disputing any errors with the credit bureaus, and if the debt is real, negotiating in writing before you pay.
Seeing Harris and Harris on your credit report can feel scary. Maybe you got a call. Maybe you saw a new collection pop up. You might be thinking your life is about to get harder. Take a breath. You can handle this.
This blog post explains who Harris and Harris Ltd. are, why they show up on reports, and the clean steps to get them removed when possible.
You will learn how to ask for proof, how to dispute, when to pay, how to track updates, and how to keep your score safe next time. We will keep everything very simple. No legal jargon. No confusing terms.
Who is Harris and Harris?
Harris and Harris Ltd. is a debt collection company based in Chicago, Illinois. They collect on past due bills for other companies. This can include medical bills, utility bills, phone bills, and other services.
If a company says you did not pay, they may send the account to a collector like Harris & Harris. Then you may get letters, calls, or see a collection account on your credit report.
Important notes:
- Harris and Harris is a real company.
- Real companies can still make mistakes.
- You have rights. You can ask for proof, and you can dispute errors.
Why does Harris and Harris appear on my credit report?
A collection may show on your report when the original company says a bill was not paid and a collector reports it to the credit bureaus. A collection is a negative mark. It can lower your score.
A collection can stay on a report for up to seven years from the date the account first went past due with the original company.
That does not mean you are stuck for seven years. If the item is wrong, you can dispute it. If it is right, you can try to resolve it and ask for removal as part of a written agreement.
Read Also: Can You Remove Wakefield and Associates Collections from Your Credit Report?
The step-by-step plan to remove Harris and Harris
Follow these steps in order. Take your time. Keep notes. Keep copies of everything.
Step 1: Pull all three credit reports
Get your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Look for the Harris and Harris entry on each report. Check:
- Account name
- Account number
- Balance
- Dates
- Your personal info is attached to the account
If anything looks off, write it down. Even small mistakes matter.
Where to get reports: You can get free reports each year from the official site that lets you download all three. You can also use monitoring services if you have one. The key is to look at all three, not just one.
Step 2: Ask Harris and Harris to prove the debt
You can send a short debt validation letter. This is a simple note asking them to show that the debt is yours and that the amount is correct. If they cannot prove it, they must stop collection, and they should not report it.
Simple wording you can use:
Hello, I am asking for validation of the debt you say I owe. Please send copies of records that show I am the correct person and that the amount is accurate. Also show the name of the original creditor. While this request is open, please stop collection and review your reporting.
Send by mail. Keep a copy. If possible, use a method where you get a delivery receipt.
What to look for in their reply:
- Your full name and address matched correctly
- The original creditor’s name and account details
- Clear records that explain the amount
- Dates that match your memory and your reports
If they do not answer, or if what they send does not prove the debt, go to Step 3.
Step 3: Dispute errors with the credit bureaus
If the account is not yours, the balance is wrong, the dates are wrong, or the entry is missing key proof, dispute it with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can do this online or by mail. Keep it simple. Include your name, address, the account info, and a clear reason.
Simple wording you can use:
I am disputing the Harris and Harris entry on my report. The information is not accurate. Please investigate and remove or correct this item. I have attached any records I have.
Attach copies of anything that helps, such as a letter from the original company, a zero balance receipt, or the lack of proof from Harris & Harris. The bureau will review and respond. If they agree it is wrong or not verified, they will remove or fix it.
Step 4: If the debt is valid, try a written agreement before paying
If the debt is yours and the amount is correct, you can still work to protect your score. You can try to ask for a pay for delete in writing. This means you pay and they agree to delete the collection from your report. Not all collectors agree to this. Some may only agree to update the status to paid. You can still ask. Always get any deal in writing before you pay.
Simple wording you can use:
I am obligated to resolve this account. If you agree to remove the collection from all credit bureaus after payment posts, please send that agreement in writing. Once I receive your written agreement, I will pay as agreed.
If they will not delete, you can still ask them to update to paid or settled in full. A paid collection can be better than an unpaid one when you apply for credit later. Choose what is best for you.
See Also: Default Credit Score: The Surprising Truth & Alternative Scores
Step 5: Pay only after you get the terms in writing
Never send money based only on a phone call. Ask for a letter that states the amount, the payment due date, and what they will do once they receive payment. Save that letter. Then pay using a method you can track. Keep the receipt.
Step 6: Watch your report for changes
After you pay or after a bureau finishes a dispute, check your reports again in about 30 to 45 days. Make sure the Harris & Harris entry is removed or updated as promised. If the change does not appear, follow up with copies of your agreement and proof of payment.
Tips that make this easier
- Write everything down. Dates, names, phone numbers, what was said.
- Keep copies. Letters, emails, payment proofs.
- Use clear words. Simple, short sentences get faster results.
- Do not ignore letters. Even if you disagree, respond and ask for proof.
- Watch for mixed files. If your report shows someone else’s info, say so in your dispute. Use your ID to show who you are.
Is Harris and Harris a scam?
Harris and Harris Ltd is a real debt collection company in Chicago. That said, scammers sometimes pretend to be Harris & Harris or any well-known collector. Protect yourself:
- Ask for the company name, mailing address, and your account details.
- Ask for a letter in the mail if someone calls you.
- Do not share your bank info over the phone until you get written proof.
- Check your reports to see if the account is listed.
- If something feels off, hang up and call the official number from the company website or from a letter you trust.
If the caller will not send proof, do not pay. A real company will send proof.
How long can Harris and Harris stay on my report?
A collection can stay for up to seven years from the date your original account first went past due. This is called the original delinquency date. If the info is wrong, dispute it.
If it is real and you pay, it may still show for a time, but some lenders care more about recent behavior. Paid looks better than unpaid. In some cases, collectors may agree to delete after payment if you get it in writing first.
What if the balance is wrong or I already paid the original company?
If the amount is off, or if you already paid, ask Harris and Harris for proof and also reach out to the original company. Ask for a zero balance letter. Then dispute with the credit bureaus using that letter. Many wrong balances get fixed this way.
What if this is medical debt?
Medical bills often have errors. You can ask the provider for an itemized bill. Look for insurance adjustments or payments that did not get posted.
If the bill is wrong, ask the provider to correct it and ask the collector to pause while they review. If you were eligible for financial help at the hospital and never got it, ask the provider about that program.
Check Out: How Credit Repair Businesses Can Leverage the New CFPB Rule on Medical Debt
How to protect your credit after removal
Here are quick tips you can use to protect your credit score even after the removal of the Harris and Harris from your credit report.
- Set up payment reminders for all bills.
- Use autopay for small recurring items when you can.
- Keep your credit card balances low compared to the limits.
- Check your reports a few times a year.
- Keep old accounts open if there are no fees, since age of credit can help your score.
- If you move, update your mailing address so bills do not get lost.
How Credit Veto can help remove Harris and Harris Faster
You do not have to face a collection alone. Credit Veto helps people:
- Review all three reports for errors and mixed files
- Ask for proof from collectors like Harris & Harris
- Dispute wrong items with the bureaus
- Set clear written terms before any payment
- Track reports and confirm updates
- Build back strong credit habits after a removal
We keep the steps simple and we keep you in control. If you want support from a team that does this work every day, we are here.
Final thoughts
Seeing Harris and Harris on your credit report is not the end of the road. You have clear rights. You can ask for proof. You can dispute errors. You can set terms in writing before you pay. You can track and confirm the fix. Take it one step at a time. Keep your notes. Keep your copies. Be calm and be firm.
If you want a hand, Credit Veto will walk with you. We help people remove wrong items and rebuild strong credit every day. When you are ready, visit our website, sign up, and get guided support so you do not have to guess.
FAQs about Harris and Harris
- Is Harris and Harris a real company or a scam?
Harris and Harris Ltd is a real debt collection company based in Chicago, Illinois. Scammers may pretend to be them. Always ask for a letter and do not pay until you get proof.
- How do I get Harris and Harris off my credit report?
Ask them to prove the debt. Dispute any errors with the credit bureaus. If the debt is valid, try to get a written agreement about removal before you pay. Then check your report again in about 30 to 45 days.
- How long does Harris and Harris stay on my report?
A collection can stay up to seven years from the date the original account first went past due. If it is wrong, dispute it. If you pay, it may still show for a time, but a paid status can be better than unpaid.
- Can I ask for pay for delete with Harris and Harris?
You can ask. Some collectors agree, some do not. Always get any agreement in writing before sending money.
- What if I already paid the original creditor?
Ask the original company for a letter that shows a zero balance. Send that to the bureaus in a dispute and ask for the collection to be removed or updated.
- What if the Harris and Harris debt is not mine?
Say so in writing. Ask for validation. Dispute with the credit bureaus. If they cannot prove it is yours, it should not be on your report.
- Is Harris and Harris the same as Harris & Harris Ltd. of Chicago, Illinois?
Yes. People use different names like Harris and Harris, Harris & Harris, and Harris & Harris Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, to talk about the same collector.
- How can Credit Veto help with Harris and Harris?
Credit Veto helps you review your reports, request proof, file disputes, and set clear written terms before any payment. We also help you track updates and build healthier credit going forward.
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