I have a small bill in collections, it's only $100, if I paid it off, how much would it help my credit score?

I have a small bill in collections, it's only $100, if I paid it off, how much would it help my credit score?

The Answer : Don't pay it!!!!!!If the only reason you are paying this debt is to improve your score, you need to understand a couple things.1) When you pay off a debt, all they are required to do is show "paid" on your account. But all of the information about late payments, charge offs and collections will still be there. It will still be a negative item, and it will still hurt your score.2) If this is an old debt (over 4 years) then paying it will turn it into an active recent debt on your credit report. Your score gives more importance to recent debts then older ones, so reaging this will actually HURT your credit score, not help it.Therefore, if you want to really improve your score, you need to get this item DELETED from your credit report.Negotiate with the creditor/collection agent, and tell him that exchange for payment, they must DELETE this item. Get this agreement IN WRITING before you pay them a dime.It makes no sense to pay off this debt if it's not going to help you out also.