What would u have done?

I kept having these debt collectors contacting me. Leaving me messages about an important court document. about some debt from 2002-2008. Supposedly I had a Verizon account. Maybe cable and home phone back at my parents house. It was so long ago. For months I dodged this call cause I had no idea what it was and didn’t want to know. Well it was from when I lived w my parent. I moved out In 2002 to live on my own. Th debt collectors offered me a deal from $1,346 down to $753. Or 5 payments of $202. I did the math. And I hesitated so much but me and the collector was on the phone for over an hour. And he said they’d take it out of my check or my bank. Or Car lean or house. I own my car and apt. So he said they’re contacting the credit bureau and the irs.

Well long story short. I’m working super hard on my credit currently. So I paid the one sum of $753. Called my dad to tell him. He said I shouldn’t have paid. And even laughed a bit and asked if he was supposed to give me money for it. He claims he doesn’t remember and I believe him. But was I stupid for paying something that was going to ruin my hard working credit score??? Doesn’t bad credit erase after 7 years?? Tonight I go to bed uneasy. Did I get scammed??? Thanks for reading