Paying Off Collections listed as Account Open Balances

[destiny36912]

Hello everyone this is my first post. I've been lurking for some time. I have a question about collections listed as "account balances". If I pay them off, will my credit score improve because they are listed as credit balances as oppossed to collectiion balances?  Also will my credit score show a drop in available credit.. My credit/debt utilization is around 20%.. I'm not interested in PFD because I just don't want to go through the hassle with Portfolio Recovery and I'm going to be applying for an apartment very soon and don't have time to send 20 letters every month..The fact is these are my debts and I rather pay them.

Also, since I would like to pay the CA, how should I go about doing this? Should I get a letter in writing that states that my balance will now be showed as paid in 21 days on all three credit report with a letter sent to me as well. Or should I just send a letter with payment stating the above.

If someone has a better way of going about this please share. I would love to DV, PFD but I just don't have the time and according to the rental place they are not concerned with credit score only that everything is showing paid on the CR.

[Anonymous]

i understand the predicament, but the credit score will NOT improve.

the manual review, as you stated, will obviously be at the discretion of the reviewer - some will appreciate seeing them as paid.

still, attempting PFD is advisable - specially when PIF. IT's free money coming in without any work. Since you are set on pying this debt, you could even consider talking to them on the phone, escalating from supervisor to supervisor until one agrees.

Mentioning ANY dates will reduce your lever, mention ONLY money - you have them, you have them ready, you are just looking for a little compromise from them, something they will eventually do sooner or later.