Paying in full AFTER an account has already been settled (Verizon)

[sandez]

I'm a dummy.

Credit Karma showed me that an old Verizon Wireless account I had was showing up as a charge off. My Experian score dropped 20 points.  It wasn't showing up at all on TransUnion yet.  I freaked out did research and saw a CO is almost impossible to remove.  So I called Verizon hoping to catch it before it was too late.  I mentioned that I'd received a letter from a CA a while ago offering $350 to pay off (the amount owed is $555), and asked if they would accept that to settle the account.  Verizon rep said they would, I paid the $350. 

I got an email with the subject "Your account is officially settled in full" and that "A request has been submitted to the major credit reporting agencies to update the above referenced account as paid for less than the full balance."  

Now, I am shooting myself. (1)  A settled account isn't much better than a charge off is it (in the eyes of future lenders)?

I understand if I paid it off in full, this would reflect better on my credit score.  I can do that - have you ever heard of (2) Anyone going back to pay a settled account off in full, (3) specifically VERIZON doing this?

I hear Verizon doesn't do PFD... (4) will paying the balance in full without deleting the debt improve anything - or should I just leave it as settled instead of PIF?

(5) Do you suggest waiting the 60 days before attempting to PIF (to see how Verizon reports it)? Or should I PIF as soon as possible?

[Anonymous]

Whether you pay in full or settle for less than full amount makes zero difference to your score. It may, possibly, look better if an underwriter is doing a manual review. But it won't change a thing about your score.
Paying in full is also advisable if trying to negotiate a PFD, but it sounds like you're past that point.

[Anonymous]

Since you have already settled and the account has been satisfied, you aren't going to be able to pay the rest off, since that company can no longer collect from you.

[RobertEG]

Once you paid, there legally was no longer any debt.

Thus, there is no debt to pay.  The creditor has no legitimate basis for accounting for payments that are not obligated.

As an alternative, you can send them a good-will request either to delete the account in its entirity or to remove the special comment that the debt was settled for less.

If the creditor removes the optional comment of settled for less, then the account will simply show paid, and appear the same as if you had paid in full.  That would appear better in any manual review......