“I generally encourage people to make good on debts when they have enough money to repay them. But once a delinquency has been reported to a collection agency, paying it off won't help your FICO score. The damage has already been done, and the blemish will remain on your credit report for seven years.”

American financial advisor, author, and podcast host

Suze Orman is an American financial advisor, author, and podcast host. She is known for founding the Suze Orman Financial Group in 1987 and for bringing her financial advice to a wide audience through television and later podcasting. Her work became widely known through The Suze Orman Show, which aired on CNBC from 2002 to 2015. She is associated with practical guidance on money management and personal finance, delivered in a direct and accessible style.