how long does a collection account stay on credit report?

Submitted by sdk66502 on Fri, 12/29/2006 - 19:20
Forums

I objected to a Dr's bill as too high and he turned it over to collection agency. How long does an unpaid collection account stay on the crdit report? Forever or seven years?

lim (not verified)

It will remain on your Credit Report for seven years. But if possible do try to get it removed as these unpaid entires negatively affect your score.

Tue, 01/02/2007 - 18:08 Permalink
lrg (not verified)

can a car loan from 1997 be sold to a collection agency & both be showing on my credit report?

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 18:07 Permalink
Furgee (not verified)

I have a collection unpaid for the past 2 years. I live in Iowa. How long is it going to stay on my report? The CA has ceased calling. Should I dispute the debt? Will that affect my credit score?

Wed, 03/19/2008 - 09:59 Permalink
shalboa (not verified)

Furgee, yes the unpaid collection will greatly affect your credit score. It will stay on your credit for at least 7 years. Even if they stopped calling, it will still scar your credit. The only way to "dispute" is to pay it off.

Wed, 05/07/2008 - 15:25 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Hi Furgee

I too agree with shalboa on this issue.

Thu, 05/08/2008 - 12:20 Permalink

If you have a 'negative' account and you pay it off before the SOL, will it stay on your CR for the 'remaining' time? Can you have it removed BEFORE the SOL?

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 02:58 Permalink

Hi sdchargers_63

I think even if you pay off before SOL, negative information will not get removed from your credit reports. Since negative items remain in the credit report for 7 years, beginning from the date of the delinquency, even if you pay off an old debt it does not necessary increase your score.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 06:52 Permalink

It's almost like a 'Catch 22'. All of the Creditors you have want 'you' to "pay debts off ASAP". Ok...you FINALLY pay it off. But..WHY???? If the debt remains on your credit? Paying it off DOESN'T raise your score. I'm not saying I don't have obligations to pay my debts, but, i think 'you' can see my point...just frustrating.

Fri, 05/09/2008 - 14:16 Permalink

Hi sdchargers_63

I too agree with you on this point. But after paying off the debt we can always bargain with the CA to mention the debt as paid in our credit report. Although paying off the debt does not necessarily raise our score, it does not also put us in a more adverse situation.

Sat, 05/10/2008 - 06:51 Permalink

sdchargers_63

Always remember when you are dealing with CAs to list PFD requirements in your written contract. I know I have said this many times but, I have had many listings removed from both my husbands credit and my own. It is no skin off the CAs nose to remove the listing and if you make it clear that no PFD means No $$ for them 9 times out of 10 you get it.

Mon, 05/19/2008 - 06:53 Permalink

I seen you have this reply before and I hope you continue to make them CMB. It is a very good point and people need to be aware that they can do this. Also along with that I would make sure I gotr this in writing before sending an dough. Once they get the money they may not be as eager to help you.

Mon, 05/19/2008 - 11:41 Permalink

YES! everything should be in writing. If you can, do all of your talking through the mail. That way you have proof of everything.

Mon, 05/19/2008 - 17:51 Permalink

I see what you mean. If you have something in writing, you have a bit more 'leverage' when you are dealing with a CA. Makes sense. Now....what about writing a PFD letter, including in it making payments to pay the debt off. Is a PFD still a 'binding contract' THAT way, too?

Thu, 05/22/2008 - 02:37 Permalink

seven years from that date, so it should fall off 11/2008 or shortly after.

Sat, 09/06/2008 - 02:11 Permalink

This is such a mind boggler. If you ask Anthiny or some others they would say May of 2008 mdue to the six months thing.

Sat, 09/06/2008 - 02:14 Permalink

well what has been your experience with this fireyone, has it fallen off after seven years or seven years and six months.

Sat, 09/06/2008 - 02:44 Permalink

& years and 6 onths. I just checked. My capitol one was 30 days as of Nov. 2001 but wasn't actually removed until the end of last month (July). So it was actually over 7/6 months.

Sat, 09/06/2008 - 02:50 Permalink

Hi Mave
This "Adverse" listing will stay in your credit report for seven years. This seven years starts after six months from the date you first missed your payments and so this listing will come out of your credit report on 05/2008 as Fireyone said.

Tue, 09/09/2008 - 10:13 Permalink

Thats what I find to be true by looiking at my credit report. I just think its a crock 7 and a half years when the debt was charged off with in 30 days.

Tue, 09/09/2008 - 23:30 Permalink
Opie (not verified)

Does the 7 yrs start soon as the collection agency receives you unpaid bill or when??

Tue, 08/03/2010 - 16:29 Permalink

Hi Opie,

Can you be more clear on what exactly you want to know? Which seven years are you talking about? Is it the 7 years the items can get reported on your credit report?

Thanks,

Aaron

Wed, 08/04/2010 - 10:53 Permalink
JL (not verified)

After the 7 years will it come off on it's own or do you have to request for it to come off? Thanks Guys!!!!

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 05:55 Permalink
banker (not verified)

If you are paying off collections that are more than 1 year old, get them to agree to remove the item completely off of your report instead of just reporting it paid. Get the agreement in writing so you can dispute it if they do not.

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 18:00 Permalink
Kaydom (not verified)

After 7 years of not paying a debit, when you try to remove it from the credit bureau how do you go about it?

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 16:58 Permalink