Paying off a Collection Debt.?

I received a collection letter for something that I didn't pay because I moved and forgot to call the company and give them my new address, so I never received the bill. I was wondering how long do I have to pay this account before it is reported on my CR? Also if I do pay it before it is reported can the Collection Agency or Will the Collection Agency report it any way, as being paid? (which is what I don't want, I don't want this acct on my CR at all!) I spoke to the rep and he told me that it will not be reported if paid before it is actually reported on my CR. He also told me something about having 90 Days before they can report to the Credit Bureaus, is this true? I don't want it to appear on my CR even after I paid it off. How should I go about this when speaking to the Collection Agency? I asked if they can fax me a letter indicated that if I pay it, it will not appear on my credit report and he said he could not. I also asked him to fax me a letter indicating that a payment has been set up and he refused to do that as well so what should I do?? Should I believe him and just pay it or What??? Please Help, Only those who either worked for a collection agency or have been in the same situation, I need Facts not Opinions, Thanks.

Answers:
Even if it is placed in collections it might not be on your credit report. I work for an agency, and we only report when the client requests it. The 90 days is probably his agency's standard amount of time before it is sent to the credit bureau. If you don't want it on your credit report, you should make sure that your payment posts by the 90th day. Our agency automatically reports any claims that are open on the deadline day...so if it is closed, paid in full, we don't report. When you speak to the collection agency be honest. If you are nice to them, they are more likely to work with you. Make sure that you send them a check and put the account information on it. If they are refusing to send you any kind of payment letter, that will be your only receipt that it is paid.
Hope that helped.
Just start paying ANYTHING immediately. Even if you can't pay it all, show the collection company that you are acting in good faith by making payments as often as you can (weekly if possible).

Send them a letter explaining what happened and ask that they not report it. If you convince them you are going to be one of their "easy" cases (meaning you will pay in full within a reasonable amount of time), they will almost certainly cooperate.
I have been in the same situation. However usually when it goes to an collection agency it has ALREADY been reported to the 3 credit companies. Try getting a credit report to verify if indeed it is or isn't on there. If it isn't on there pay anything you can IMMEDIATELY and contact the company to let them know you're not ignoring your debt. I f a collection agency doesn't hear from you that is as good as saying I'm not going to pay for it. Also if it is not on your CR and you pay it off before any deadline that is set up between you and the company it will not appear on your report. However, if it is already on your report before you have made any payments. Keep paying it and unfortunately it will remain for a few years but shown as paid. Getting a collection agency to send anything to you other than a bill is a pain in the neck. regarding the 90 days if you don't pay it within 90 days of the collection agency notice it will then appear on your report. Hope this helps and good luck

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