Collection Agencies?

[Deelow]

I've had to move a couple times over the past few months and thus have mail heading to multiple addresses. Anyway, some how a bill has slipped under my radar and I got a letter today from a collection agency. My question is how will something like this affect my credit rating? The bill is under $200. The company I owe doesn't have my SIN or even a Credit Card number...I feel like if a pay this bill with a VISA card (like they are asking) they will use the card # to put a blemish on my credit rating.
Can they get to my credit rating with only my name and address?

[Frank the Tank]

As long as you pay it, I don't see how it could affect your credit rating.

[Flamescupbound!]

Originally Posted by Deelow

I've had to move a couple times over the past few months and thus have mail heading to multiple addresses. Anyway, some how a bill has slipped under my radar and I got a letter today from a collection agency. My question is how will something like this affect my credit rating? The bill is under $200. The company I owe doesn't have my SIN or even a Credit Card number...I feel like if a pay this bill with a VISA card (like they are asking) they will use the card # to put a blemish on my credit rating.
Can they get to my credit rating with only my name and address?

From what i've heard, you should call them to negotiate before paying the bill. Make sure they take you off the "blacklist" or whatever the list is that gives you bad credit. If you just pay the bill, you might end up losing you cash, AND having bad credit for 7 years. Explain the situation, and i'm sure it only being $200 won't be a big deal.

[ken0042]

It's been years since I was in the situation, but whenever I had stuff go to collections I always just paid the company that I owed. I think what would happen is the company I owed would then contact the CA and tell them to disregard my file.

I always in some form of cash though.

[SaskaBushFire]

As long as you pay nothing should come of it. Pay the bill oweing and just keep making payments on the rest of your debts/loans and your credit will be fine.

It takes something more than a $200 bill to ruin your credit unless left un paid.

[Agamemnon]

My thoughts are it would affect your rating. When I didn't pay my Rogers $50 bill for a year and a half, and then paid it, I believe the fact that it was outstanding for a long time still appeared on my credit report, though the report also said that they had been paid in full.

I've missed a student loan payment or two and every one I've missed is right there on my credit report. The loan has been paid in full, but the fact that I've missed payments is still on there, and I'm sure it counts against me (I think).