Should I pay off a debt in collections or just leave it?

It depends on the debt's age, accuracy, and your goals. Paying a legitimate collection can stop calls and, under newer credit-scoring models (like FICO 9 and VantageScore 3.0+), a paid collection is ignored – though older models still count it. First, verify the debt is yours and not time-barred. If you decide to pay, try negotiating a lower lump sum and, ideally, get the collector to agree in writing to delete the entry ("pay for delete"), since a paid-but-present collection may not boost older scores much. Don't make a small payment that restarts the statute of limitations on otherwise time-barred debt. If you're planning a mortgage soon, lenders often require collections to be resolved, so paying may be necessary. Weigh the cost against the credit and peace-of-mind benefit, and always get terms in writing first.