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I had a telephone bill that was given to a collections company. The original amount was just under $600.
I have been given a payoff offer from the collections company for the amount of $272.
I'd be just happy to pay the lower amount of course. My question is: Would my credit score ultimately benefit by paying the original amount, or would that increase my 'sucker-score'?
Never heard of a sucker score before. I would imagine it would be better to pay off the lower amount. It would have to help your credit in some way especially since it would no longer be an unpaid debt. Not only that if you go for any type of credit in the near future it doesn't look good to have a household bill in collections. Makes them think "If they can't pay their phone bill why would they pay this bill".
The best thing for your credit would be to ask the CRA if they would remove there listing from your CR. A listing that says "paid collection" isnt any good for your credit either. If they wont agree to that try to get them to just list the debt as 'paid'