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It all depends on how long it has been since you last paid on those accounts. If it has only been a few months, you might be able to deal directly with the creditor. However, if it has been too long then the accounts will have gone to collections, and dealing with those folks can be trying, to say the least. The most important thing you must know is that you should NEVER give any creditor access to your checking account(s). If they have been in collections for a while, you might be able to settle for pennies on the dollar.
Besides the issue above, if you want to clean up your credit, the first thing you must do is list all your credit accounts. Then, before paying any money, cut up the cards. You might want to keep one or two, no more than that, for emergencies. That is just until you have established some sort of savings that can be used for anything, whether it be an emergency or not. This account should have at least 6 months Net pay. Then take that list of creditors you made, and start with the smallest. Pay that one off as fast as possible with all available funds, making minimum payments on the rest. Once you get the first paid off, use that money and start on the second smallest account....and just keep on rolling up those accounts until you have paid them all off. There should be no more restaurants, vacations, or any sort of extras; all of that must be kept to a mimimum until you have completely paid off all your creditors.
If you have to travel for work, get your employer to advance you the funds necessary for the trip so you do not have to use credit, unless of course they have given you a company travel card. But, while traveling, no extras, no room service, no $7.50 Lattes, shine your own shoes, etc.
Once you have paid off all your bills, and established your savings account with at least 6 months pay, you are set to begin living again. Some advice, do not buy anything unless you pay in cash. No more credit or you will be back in the neverending loop that most creditors create for you (and love having you in too).
If you can do this you will be on the way to true wealth, and everything you buy from now on will be yours from the day you buy it, until you get rid of it. No longer will a portion of everything you own be shared with the creditor who provided you the funds to make your purchase. That is freedom, and a freedom you can buy, by paying off your creditors and by not playing their little financial games anymore.
