How it works

Everything you need to know.

Plain language. No surprises. From the moment you receive our letter to the moment your account closes.

The process

Step by step

You receive a letter from us

Our letter tells you the original creditor, the balance, and what we paid for your account. It includes a QR code unique to your account. We send a small number of letters. If we do not hear from you, we stop.

Access your account page

Scan the QR code from your letter — or visit aldenreso.com and enter your account number. Either way takes you directly to your account, where your balance and options are already loaded.

Use the slider to choose your amount

Slide to pick any amount from our floor to the full balance. We show you exactly what your payment covers — including what we paid for your account. No negotiation, no back and forth.

Pay and receive confirmation

One payment. Your account closes permanently. On-screen confirmation immediately. Written confirmation mailed within 3 business days.

You receive the ExhAle Letter

We mail you the ExhAle Letter — a confirmation written to the person, not the account number. Enclosed is your Certificate of Resolution and an optional share card. This is Alden’s version of marking the moment. See exactly what it looks like.

Transparency

Why we tell you what we paid

Most debt buyers never disclose their purchase price. We do — because you deserve to understand the full picture.

We buy charged-off accounts

When a creditor writes off an unpaid account, they sometimes sell it to a buyer like us for a fraction of face value — often 4 to 6 cents on the dollar.

You still owe the balance

Buying the account transfers the legal right to collect. You now owe the balance to us. We are required to tell you this clearly, and we do.

Any amount above our floor resolves it

Our floor covers roughly what we paid. Anything above helps us operate and treat people fairly. You choose.

See how it works — try it

This is your resolution portal, fully interactive.

Scan the QR code on your letter and this is exactly what you'll see. Pick your option and try it.

We’ll be straight with you. We purchased your account for roughly $117 — about 5 cents on the dollar. Any amount above our floor resolves this permanently. That means you’re not paying $2,340. You’re choosing your own number above our floor — and permanently closing this chapter. Any amount above $351 is a fair outcome for both sides.

Your rights

You have 30 days to dispute this debt in writing
You can request written verification of the debt
You can request the name and address of the original creditor
You cannot be harassed, threatened, or misled
You can ask us in writing to stop contacting you

Need to dispute or ask a question? Contact us before proceeding.

Your Resolution Path

Hi Jordan. We know this is not easy.

We’re here to help you close this — on your terms.

Account numberALN-2026-00247

Original creditorElmwood Bank, N.A.

Current balance$2,340.00

Your Resolution Path

Pay the full $2,340 balance. Account closes completely. Nothing else owed.

This is a preview. Payment is disabled in the demo.

Account closes permanently. Written confirmation mailed within 3 business days.
Questions? Contact us before proceeding.

This is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Alden Obligation Resolution is a debt collector operating under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Alden Obligation Resolution, 1220 L St NW Ste 100-453, Washington, DC 20005.

Credit Reporting

What happens to your credit report.

We believe you deserve to know exactly what we report, when we report it, and — most importantly — what happens to that entry when you resolve your account.

Before you resolve

Collection account on file

If we report your account to the credit bureaus, we will submit a deletion request upon resolution.

Score impact

A collection account typically reduces your credit score. The original charge-off from your creditor likely already caused damage — our report reflects the current status of that same account.

7-year window

Under the FCRA, a collection account can remain on your report for 7 years from the date of original delinquency — regardless of whether it is paid or unpaid. That clock is already running.

If unresolved, the debt can be resold

Charged-off accounts that aren't resolved are frequently resold to other collectors. The next buyer may contact you differently. Resolving with Alden now closes this account permanently — it cannot be resold or transferred after resolution.

After you resolve with Alden

We request deletion from all three bureaus

Within 30 days of resolution — full payment, settled amount, or completed payment plan — Alden will submit a deletion request to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The bureaus make the final determination, but we will submit the request and follow up. You'll receive a separate confirmation email when we do.

All three paths qualify

Whether you pay in full, settle, or complete your monthly plan — every resolution path at Alden comes with our deletion commitment. You don't have to pay more to earn this.

You'll receive a separate confirmation email

When we submit your deletion request to the bureaus, we'll send you a follow-up email confirming the submission date and reference numbers. Separate from the ExhAle Letter — because the timing is different.

What we will never do with your credit report

Re-age your debt

We will never report a newer date to restart your 7-year clock. The original delinquency date is fixed and we keep it that way.

Report a disputed account without flagging it

If you dispute your debt, we immediately flag it as disputed in our credit bureau reporting while we investigate. Required by the FCRA — and we take it seriously.

Report time-barred debt as enforceable

If the statute of limitations has passed on your account, we will not misrepresent it as a currently enforceable legal obligation.

Inflate the balance reported

The balance we report to credit bureaus matches what we show you in the portal — no hidden additions, no unauthorized interest or fees.

Fail to investigate a dispute

Every dispute — whether submitted through our portal, by letter, or by email — is investigated and responded to within 30 days. No exceptions.

Keep reporting after a stop-contact request

A written stop-contact request stops our outreach immediately. It does not affect our lawful credit bureau reporting — but we will never use reporting as a pressure tactic.

Your credit reporting rights under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information, request an investigation, and receive a copy of your report. If we report something incorrectly, you can dispute it with us directly or with the credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. You can also file a complaint at consumerfinance.gov.

Dispute an error →

The Monthly Plan

What the Structured Resolution actually looks like.

If you choose Option 3 — the monthly plan — here is exactly what happens, from the day you set it up to the day it ends.

You set your amount using the slider

You choose any monthly amount above the floor — the minimum we can accept and still cover our costs. The portal shows you exactly how many months that amount takes and the total you’ll pay. No surprises. Then you choose how you want to pay: automatic (ACH) or manual.

You receive the Alden Pledge — immediately

The moment you confirm, the Alden Pledge is generated and sent by email. It shows your plan details, both sides' commitments, and is signed and dated. A physical copy is also mailed within 3 days. This is a two-way document — not just your agreement to pay, but Alden's commitment to you.

Payments happen on your chosen date, every month

If you chose auto-pay, we pull on the same date each month — you don’t have to do anything. If you chose manual, you’ll receive a brief reminder email and pay through the portal. Either way, you receive a confirmation when each payment is received: “Payment received. X months remaining.” Nothing more.

You can change your amount anytime

Life changes. Log into the portal anytime to raise or lower your monthly amount — as long as it stays above the floor. Changes take effect on your next payment date. You can adjust once every 30 days. You can also switch between auto-pay and manual at any time. No calls, no approval needed.

Final payment — the ExhAle Letter is waiting

When your last payment clears, the account closes permanently. The ExhAle Letter and Certificate of Resolution are sent immediately by email and mailed within 3 days. We submit your credit bureau deletion request within 30 days and send a follow-up email confirming it. Then we never contact you again.

Choosing how you pay

Automatic (ACH)

We pull the payment from your bank account on your due date each month. You don’t need to log in or remember. Payments never miss as long as your account has funds.

Best if: you want set-it-and-forget-it.

Manual

You pay each month through the portal when you’re ready. You receive a reminder email a few days before your due date. Nothing is pulled from your account without you initiating it.

Best if: you prefer full control over when money leaves your account.

You can switch between auto and manual at any time from your account page. No fee, no paperwork, no call.

What happens if a payment fails or you need to pause

If a payment fails

We’ll notify you by email and give you a 7-day grace period to make the payment manually. We won’t call you. We won’t add fees. One failed payment doesn’t end your plan.

If you need to pause or stop

Contact us through the portal. We’d rather work out a lower amount than lose the plan entirely. If the plan ends without completion, the remaining balance remains owed — but we’ll always try to find a path forward first.

Common questions