I assume "they" are anonymous strangers on the internet -- just as I am -- so I guess you can decide which anonymous strangers to believe. However, I submit that the notion that paying a debt won't improve your credit score is logically absurd.
It's comments like this that indicate you have a very poor grasp of how the credit reporting system works. Verizon reported the debt. That was a singular act that occurred at a particular time in the past. Verizon will do nothing else in terms of reporting unless you pay the debt (in which case, Verizon will report it as paid). The seven year period refers to how long the entry will remain on your credit reports.
You can think whatever you like, but I think any rational person would view this as not a big deal and understand that an $80 debt isn't going to cause a big or lasting impact. By the way, I find it telling that you ignored my questions about when your credit score was 800 (which, by the way, is not a "perfect" score) and what it is now.
You obviously came here with a particular mindset and weren't going to be receptive to anything anyone told you to the contrary. That's unfortunate. Also, no one "shredded" you.

