[bryans]

That's actually not true. If you pay the collection agency, the derogatory mark gets removed within weeks. You also typically only need to pay half the amount. If they try to get you to pay the whole thing, just tell them you're using your tax refund to pay off debts, but you only have $X left, where X is half the amount owed.

[alostpuppy]

That’s not my experience. The only derogatory items on my credit report are medical debts I have long since paid off.

[bryans]

You have the legal right and ability to remove any mark if you've paid it off. Both of the agencies have online options for removal requests.

https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-cred...