How long does it take for a negative mark on your credit report to drop off?
CW asked:
I had a great credit score until there was a mix up with a cable service that I cancelled but still billed for. I now have (2) derogatory items on my report. I am in the process of disputing this issue with the billing company and the (3) credit bureaus. I am just curious as to the “worst case” scenario. If the dispute does not go my way and I do indeed need to pay this bill, then the negative marks on my report will stay. How long before they would fall off the report?
Francisco
I had a great credit score until there was a mix up with a cable service that I cancelled but still billed for. I now have (2) derogatory items on my report. I am in the process of disputing this issue with the billing company and the (3) credit bureaus. I am just curious as to the “worst case” scenario. If the dispute does not go my way and I do indeed need to pay this bill, then the negative marks on my report will stay. How long before they would fall off the report?
Francisco
July 8th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Alexander
i think its 7 years, God I hope im wrong. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Esther
Collections show on your credit for 7-years weather you pay them on not.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Bernard
Probably seven years. Note that recent activity is weighted more that ancient activity, so a problem years age won’t affect your score much, even if the information is still on the report.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Allen
? Its good that you are disputing this because it needs to come off your report if its not correct. However if they find that you do need to pay & that it stays on your report then it stays there for a total of 7 years… Good Luck!
July 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Frank
It is 7 years but 10 if its is bankrupcy.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Willie
hey there it is seven (7) years.
however, that is from the date when payyments are started to be made regularily. if your good for a few months and then skip for a few your 7 starts over again
try and consolidate your debts and get rid of as many credit cards and store cards as possible
good luck
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:58 am
Wilma
You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major reporting agencies each year. They will show the drop-off date (7-year decay) for all items.
Here’s a link to get one of them online (all 3 will basically show the same things):
July 25th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Oscar
Negative information will remain on there for 7 years from the date of the item.
Since this is a Cable bill the chances are that it is just the collection account that is on your report. So if your dispute does not go through you may have to pay it. But before you pay it you need to have an agreement from them in writing that they will remove the item from your report once you pay it in full.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Laura
7 long years…maybe you can negotiate a deletion if you do get it in writting.
July 25th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Andrew
This question gets asked at lease every 3-4 days…..at least most of the people answered this right for a change.
serendipity, of course, has to ruin a good record! Another responder who doesn’t have a clue and won’t research their answers first.
Negative items stay on your credit report for 7 years, beginning from the date of the delinquency. They do not restart after you make a payment.
What you can do is negotiate with the collection agency….in exchange for paying this debt make them delete this entry from your credit reports.