If I am making installments on debts that are already in collection, does that help my credit score any?

I have medical, phone, and satellite bills that are in collection (about $2000 in all). If I start a payment plan for all of them and keep paying on time, will my credit score start to improve? Also, will it look better on any background checks that employers do on me? Should I just pay them off all at once?

Public Comments

1. I want your answers, sorry i don't have an answer for u. I have the same question.
2. No, once accounts go to collections the damage has been done and paying them doe's nothing for your score unless you get a pay for delete agreement where in return for your payment they agree to remove the account from your report.
3. These are the type of collections that you can usually get to delete for payment. You can probably even settle for less than the full balance and get the item deleted. Get any settlement agreement in writing and don't give them access to your bank account. Lump sum will get the best deal. Any payment plan has to be short term. Paying won't improve your score. But creditors look at your whole credit report, not just your score. Paid old debt looks better than unpaid. Of course, if the items are deleted, your score will improve and your report will look clean.
4. Credit checks and background checks are not the same thing.