2 quick Fico questions

[Mark Beekman]

Does checking your own Fico score (like on myfico.com) count as an inquiry on your report? I checked it today and I want to check it once more this summer or Fall.

I have 1 unpaid collection that I was unaware of until today (only on my experian report). From what I've read, even if I pay it off it will remain on the report. Will it help me at all if I pay it off?