<prompt> Human: Ive seen quite a few times now where people recommend not paying off old debts on your credit report until you get an agreement in writing to have the debt deleted from your credit report upon payment. Is this something that the creditor is required to do upon request, or are we at the grace of their mercy in these situations?  <response>: Youre at their mercy, theres no right to do this.Your leverage comes from telling them if they dont do it then you wont pay. You can tell them if they ever want to see a dollar then put something in writing about how theyll take it off your credit report.If you pay them without having something in writing then theres nothing you can go back later with to negotiate on or contest the item on your credit report. 