you're right dx in that they can and do mark as settled but Lowell (and poss other dca's) are not forced to as they are at liberty to report factual information. In this case, in view of the balance size, pushing down the complaint route, marking fao head of compliance (i'd insist on a personalised response but that's just my opinion to make life harder !) the balance will more than likely be written off. There's no harm in reiterating the need to have the cred file satisfied but it can lead to them digging their heels in and stating that agreeing to partial settlement is sufficient. I'm all for having your cake and eating it as well (who wouldn't) but at least allows food for thought.

will be sb in Nov this year and they will not look at any court action if a debt will be sb within 6 months (nice to know for future ref). If not on cred file, I'd simply mark as complaint and they'll close account (include fact sb in 2 months)

HI, if you contact the DCA relating to the current account and mark it as a complaint they will have 8 weeks in total to provide a satisfactory outcome for you, at which point you can escalate matters to the FOS. Also, for such a small outstanding debt you are likely to have the whole balance cleared. With a full and final, they are not forced to mark as satisfied, only partial, which will remain on your cred report for 6 years. Entirely up to you but, from my experience, simply disputing the debt can take months to resolve, even for such a small balance.