Getting some "collections" removed

[Anonymous]

I had a bankruptcy discharged in 2009.  Since then I haven't paid much attention to my credit and haven't opened any new accounts.  I'm getting ready to buy a new car now that I'm back on solid financial footing.  I pulled my credit last night and found that I have three things marked as in "collections", all pretty small.

The first was a T-Mobile bill for $350 that I apparently never received after moving a few times and changing phone numbers.  I'm planning to reach out to them ASAP and pay it.  Since I'm looking to lease a car in the next few weeks, how quickly will this get reflected in my credit score?  Is there anything I can do when I speak to the collection agency to expedite the reporting?

There's another mystery charge of $50 to AT&T which I have no idea what it could be since I'm current with my AT&T wireless bill.  Ultimately, same questions as above.

The last item looks like a doctor's bill for $160.  The account description says "Chapter 7 bankruptcy", so it's a mystery to me why it is even showing (assuming it was discharged as part of the bankruptcy).  Any advice on dealing with this one?

Ultimately, I'm mostly wondering how quickly fixing these issues will positively effect my score.  If it will be a long while, there's probably no sense in waiting on getting the lease.  If it can happen in 30 days, that's a different story.

[Shogun]

Pretty much not going to happen all too quickly.  You should send a PFD to T-Mobile and ATT.  See if they are willing to work with you, they're pretty tough nuts to crack though, just to let you know.   The medical that was IIB, it seems to be reporting correctly.  Maybe you could send them a GW for that one.

[Jutz]

I may be able to help shine some light on the AT&T one...

When you moved did you ever change your phone number?  Or have you every transfered a number to or from someone else?  Often a small balance like that is left on an old account.  It eventually goes to collections.  Don't pay it without first understanding why it happened.  Being a current customer you may be able to have them pull it back first.

TMobile may be the same issue, but I'm very familar with AT&T.  Feel free to PM me if those situations sound like they may have happened, I may have some further info for you.  I'm VERY familar with the company.

[Shogun]

Sounds like Jutz is your go to guy on this one.  Thanks Jutz and if you don't mind, I'll send any others I come across like this your way.

[Jutz]

Yep, it's a niche, but they seem to come up a lot. It's super important to make sure you pay attention for residual prorated balances in several different scenarios. That's why it's best to make sure you pay early on an account with advanced billing. If you pay early you'll be ahead in real time. Pay behind and it could bite you.