unpaid bill and credit rating

if its already been referred to a debt collector does that mean my credit rating is already screwed? And how do i get it removed.

we had installment payments owing for something but i hadnt recieved the letters/notices becuase htey were going to the wrong address. the creditor says they never recieved our change of address, when I know i posted it at least 3 times, in addition to verbally informing them more than once, which they will not accept.

Anyway Ithought i had an agreement in place with the creditor but apparently not. I rang today and they seem willing to work something out but had no record of our previous discussion - well not an accurate one anyway

If we do make an agreement is it up to me to let the debt collection people know or will the creditor do this?
When the debt is repaid does it come off my credit rating or do i have to petition to tave this done?

Im really ****ed off about this becuase i thought I had a handle on thinigs and then this happens, and to make it worse dh gets the letter while MIL is at our place so now she knows all about it as well.

No, its okay. They send it to a debt collector to collect the money for them, so they don't have to spend time chasing you. It takes ages to get on to your record, and if you have an arrangement in place (as long as you haven't defaulted with the original provider usually) it won't show up. Even then, you usually have to default on your payment plan with the collector a few times before its listed.
If it does get onto your record, once it is paid off you can apply to have it removed.

It shouldn't be. I think it will only appear on your credit rating if the demands from the debt collector are ignored and it goes to court. Going to the debt collector is like the last chance. If it goes to the sherrif and you get served then it will be AFAIK.

I've BTDT a couple of times unfortunately.

If you can work out an agreement with who the bill/installment plan is originally from. Cut out the middle man, the company will be happy because then they don't have to pay the debt collectors. And they lose for being so dumb.

thanks. i went in and saw them - the original creditor - this afternoon and worked out a payment plan. I thought I had already done this but the person who organised it apparently wasnt authorised to, so another person did it today. At least now its in writing and they will ring the collection agency and canel that side of things.

Hey Pandora - it should be fine. I'm not sure how much you had owing, but I've had outstanding video store overdue fees referred to a debt collector before - its just something companies pay other people to do if its been too hard for them to get into contact with you - I'm not sure the process but I takes a long time before it screws your credit history