What does the letter say?
@QueenJ - Whether you pay them or not, they can still legally put the collection on your credit reports. You can call & ask if paying them, using one of the four payment options listed in the letter, would keep it off your credit reports. Who's the specific collection agency?
From a creditor standpoint, since the account was not deliquent for a full seven years, they can report it. By making payment toward the debt, you effectively restarted the clock to be 7 years from your last deliqency.
You kind of got lucky the account fell off the report while you were paying on it.
Another thing with collections agencies, always communicate in writting. It will help you in the long term!.
Collections are removed seven years from the date of your first missed payment from your credit report. Your first post makes it sound like you were paying, switched banks and stopped paying. Then four months later you got the letter. Exactly how long ago did you have this account? Depending on your state, there's a statue of limitations (SOL) to how many years they can sue you in court to collect on the debt. After that point, the debt will fall off your credit report seven years from the date of the first missed payment. Collection agencies can send you letters to get money out of you for the debt, but you're technically not obligated to pay it BUT they can put it on your credit report. Please clarify your credit time line, thanks!