<prompt> Human: I just got a call from a debt collector for an unpaid utility bill back from 2013. My landlord never paid the last months bill using my security deposit, but thats besides the point. They said I owe 480.33 and that I have until Nov 20 until it hits my credit score. I googled and read through the wiki here, but is there a way to check or find out if this is true? Id like to have more time so i can request a debt verification letter and potentially try to track down my old landlord, but Nov 20 is in like a week and a half and 400.00 isnt worth me ruining my credit score. Should I just pay it to be safe?Assistant: Call the Utility company and ask them to verify the bill. They should be able to track down if it was paid or not.If the bill was in your land lords name, and not yours, then its not your bill to pay. Even if it hits your credit report, it wont ruin your score. We just recently had a mix up with a medical bill that temporarily hit our report. Didnt even nudge my number.In that case, it turned out that we did actually owe the money, and wouldnt have known if it wasnt for the debt collector.Human: The bill was in my name and I called the utility company just now and verified the amount with them. I moved out in feb and the bill probably came in in march. Im currently living in South east asia so tracking my landlord down is going to be really difficult. thats interesting about it not really hurting your score though, ive read some horror stories online, but didnt know what to believe. 400 isnt a big deal for me, but its just so annoying because i even have a really old text from me to my roommate saying the landlord is keeping our security deposit until the final bill comes in because hes going to pay it for us using our deposit.  <response>: the landlord is keeping our security deposit until the final bill comes in because hes going to pay it for us using our depositWhy on earth would your landlord pay a bill in your name?Sounds like he or your roommate scammed you. LPT: If the bill is in your name, you make sure its paid. Dont trust anyone else to do it for you. If youve verified the amount, check with the utility company to verify if you pay them, or the collection agency. Make sure to get the Collection agency to send you a bill, and make sure you get a receipt for your records.A collection on your record can be devastating; if you dont pay it. It shows up as an unpaid bill thats due monthly. So every month you dont pay a collection, theres a mark. 