It's common knowledge that debt collectors hurt credit scores. Your credit score might be negatively impacted for as long as a collection account or other overdue account is included on your credit report.
Creditors and lenders may doubt your reliability if they find collection accounts, especially recent ones, on your credit report. This could make applying for additional lines of credit or loans more challenging.
It's natural to wonder if you should pay for an old collection if you're trying to clean up your credit record or fix your credit. Consider these aspects when you make your choice.
The Limitation Period
A debt becomes time-barred once an account has been dormant for a lengthy period, and debt collectors lose the ability to prosecute you for it. If the statute of limits has expired, you do not have to pay the collection. Still, it is your responsibility to demonstrate the expiration of the statute of limitations in case of a lawsuit. 3 To help you decide whether or not to pay off old debt, research your state's statute of limitations on such matters.
Depending on the state and the specifics of the debt, the statute of limitations could be anywhere from three to fifteen years.
Remember that the statute of limitations on a debt can be reset if you make a partial payment, enter into a payment arrangement, or accept a settlement offer. The creditor or debt collector will have extra time to file a lawsuit against you if the statute of limitations is reset. 4 However, payment does not reset the seven-year time limit included in most loans' credit reports. On the other hand, there is a cap on how long a negative item like debt can remain on your credit report.
Having a Moral Duty to Recompense
If the debt is rightfully yours, you should pay it back. Because you've used the debt-financed products or services, you now owe money for them. To what extent would your employer be able to withhold one month's pay? Debts should be treated the same way.
If you have any worries about the legitimacy of an old debt collection, you can request that the debt collector validate the debt (i.e., send the documentation that the debt is yours). A written request for evidence is appropriate. 6
How Might This Affect My Credit Rating?
Your credit score takes less of a hit as old obligations age. It's difficult to say how your credit score will change once the old debt has been paid off. If the debt is several years old, paying it off may not boost your credit score. The good news is that according to FICO, paying off an old debt won't harm your credit score.
Any Potential Future Loan or Credit Applications As long as the unpaid debt is shown on your credit record, getting approval for fresh applications could be difficult. Even if you manage to get authorized, you might not be offered a favorable interest rate.
Paying off a debt that appears on a credit report can increase the borrower's chances of being approved for a credit card or loan. Of course, paying the debt still shows up on your credit report unless you negotiate a "pay for erasing," but it's better than the alternative. 8 However, if the debt disappears from your credit report within a few months, you may be better off waiting for it to disappear naturally.
It would help if you Started Working With Them Again.
If you want to reopen an account with a company, you may be required to pay off a past collection, regardless of your credit history or the possibility of legal action. It's possible, for instance, that a cable bill from a few years ago has disappeared from your credit record because the statute of limitations has expired. You'll likely have to settle your outstanding debt to the provider before service may be restored.
Some utility providers may also ask for a deposit in addition to the past-due amount before they would restore service. Profits from Resolving Old Debt It's possible that you'd prefer to utilize the money for something else than settle your previous debt. There are, however, advantages to swallowing your pride and paying off your debts.
The quality of your credit report is not affected by any collections that have not been paid. The payment history section of your credit score will increase by one point after a collection account is paid in full.
Your ratio of debt to income goes down. When you pay off a debt, it lowers your overall debt and debt-to-income ratio. It's beneficial to your long-term financial stability. After paying off your debts, you'll find that lenders and creditors are more eager to extend you fresh loans. Before they consider giving you a loan, many financial institutions, notably mortgage lenders, demand that you settle all your outstanding debts.
