Charge-offs can stay on your report for up to 7.5 years….paid or unpaid… You might be able to negotiate a Pay for Delete agreement…where the creditor/collection agency agrees to remove the charge-off after you paid the agreed to amount…You have to pay very close to the full amount to be able to do this….Be sure to get all terms in writing first prior to giving them money….Never,ever accept verbal promises over the phone that can’t be proven.

Also you can find some advice here…

All the best to you.

Your only option is to wait out the 7 year reporting period.

When you co-signed you became equally liable for the debt. The finance company didn’t have to send you any notices. This is why you should NEVER co-sign for anyone you are not legally married to.

You cannot.Once you co-sign for somebody you are equally responsible for the debt.What were you thinking when you signed on the dotted line !!!!!………..

I wish I had better news: Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a charge-off, whether paid or not, can remain on a consumer’s credit reports for up to seven years… When an account charges-off, the damage is already done. Paying it back will not remove the notation from your credit report…sorry.

This is why one should NEVER, EVER co-sign a loan…It’s an express train to bad credit.