Not that it needs to be repeated, but don't pay it. As stated, a paid collection is still a collection, so a short term goal to pay it off is of little benefit in terms of credit reporting. Although if you're trying to buy a house I understand why you need to eliminate any open collections. But look at it this way. If you pay it, it will not update to the bureaus for several weeks at best, maybe months. I have paid collections that are 6 months old that still don't report properly! You can get faster and more favorable results by disputing. To engage a utility company for services, you have to sign something. You didn't. They can't verify or validate, thus it should come off.
