Will it affect my credit score if I've...

[Slim S]

...been through a collection agency but paid right away? That's what my questions is. I went to an ER a few months ago and eversince then had like 4 bills pending (why can't they put it all together into 1 to make it simple???) since then. I finally got some money saved up so 3 weeks ago I called the hospital and asked them if I can pay them over the phone so we processed payments and I thought I was through with them till I got a letter from a collection agency today saying that there was 1 more bill pending for freaking 73 dollars (and I already paid off almost 700 so that's really nothing). I called them the same minute I opened the envelope and asked them if they could send me a letter after I make a payment stating that I paid off the balance and it will not appear on my credit that I was ever affiliated with them. They said yeah and promised that I will receive it by the end of the week. Well, if they lied and I won't receive ish what happens to my credit score and how bad is it to have something like this on your credit report?

[Layla..i Rican Pecan!]

If you go into collections it will effect your credit score and rating. it will always be there for about 6 months then your credit should be ok since you did pay it off. But going to collections is always a bad thing. Thats when it goes and effects your credit negatively.

[patchygrly420]

Some agencies do give a grace period to give you the chance to pay it before reporting it to your CBR, however if there is no grace period or if the grace period has expired then it will report and negatively affect your score. Once it hits your CBR it will remain on there for 7 years from the date of service, since you paid it it will show paid, which helps and with time will affect your CBR little if at all.. If the coll agcy told you that it would not report to your CBR then it probably won't. I would definately make sure if you don't recieve that letter within the week that you call and make sure it was sent, proof is always good to have.. They do make mistakes and this will make it alot easier to get removed or corrected.. hope this helps