re: Doctor bill paid. Still went into collections.

Once it goes to the collection agency and they send you the initial letter, you have 30 days to validate or dispute the debt. After that it shows up on your credit report.

At least that was the case when the electric company sent my $50 balance over to a collection agency after I moved back from Texas. They shut down my online account, didn't email me about my last bill, and it never got forwarded to the correct address.

Of course I paid it because it was my debt. They assured me it would not show up on credit report until after 30 days. I paid it immediately and it never showed up on my report. I told them I would raise 7 kinds of hell with them if it ever did.

Make sure to take care of this NOW. If you don't get it resolved within 30 days then it is possible it will show up on report. Then that is a whole lot of hassle to get it removed.