Hi Nell, I had similar negative item in my credite file. I forgot to pay one bill ($40) and moved my residence. It was reported to collection agency which I was not aware of. In last March, I accessed my credit file through a car dealer who informed me of this negative term. My FICO score was down to 630. I immediately paid that amount,and also paid some balance. By the end of May my FICO score increased to above 700. However, the collection items will remain in my file for several years.