Answer: -I'm not really sure, but perhaps this website could help. I've looked up articles here that give advice on credit and debt.Look at the finance category. -Teel them you are thinking of declaring bankruptcy and want one last try to fix your debt and that you have a lawyer and almost ready to file but want to see what kind of settlement they can offer you. -The best thing you can do is call them and tell them you want to work with them to pay this bill. As long as you show that you want to work with them, they will usually work with you. I believe that as long as you pay them something (the original person you owe) that they can't sent it to collections.But I don't understand. You say it has been charged off. That sounds to me that they are taking the loss and your credit is already affected. If that is the case, justcalling them and paying it off isn't enough. You need to start by calling them, getmore info. For example, can you still work with them or do you have to work through a collection agency? Then you need to find out, no matter who you are working with, if they will remove the bad mark on your credit if you comply with the agreement you make.I did work with a collection agency and paid it off and they offered, without me asking, to take it off of my credit. Worked out great. Shows you what a phone call and cooperation will do. -It depends how long your card has been in rears, they likely could have passed it on to a collection agency in which case you will have to deal with them. Call the 1-800 number on the back of the card and find out the status of the account. You have no room to negotiate, after all if someone owed you money would they have any? i think no