How long after paying off collections will it take to improve my credit score?

Question

I wish someone would have told me when I was younger all the things that would affect my credit score, and how important that is!!! So here's my story...I moved out of an apartment before my lease expired, and I was charged aproximately $5k, which was rent for the remainder of my lease. I didn't pay it, so it went to collections and was reported to all 3 bureau's. In addition to that, I had about $2k more debt (medical) that also went to collections. I recently took out an auto loan (against a truck I already own) to pay off this debt, plus some other expenses that came up without warning. So, how long will it take for my credit score to improve now that my debts are settled? I have 3 credit cards that are paid on time (in full) every month, and my auto loan will be paid on time every month. The only other credit history I have is an auto loan that is paid in full (all payments were made on time). Currently my credit score is 545, I would like to see it in the 600's ASAP!

Answer 1

It normally can take about 6 months for your credit score to start improving, many credit reporting agencies take at least 30-90 days to get it reporting on your report as paid, also you want to make sure you get proof of the debt being paid after you paid it and you also want to make sure they report it to experian, transunion and equifax as a paid collection. Honestly collections can stay on your report for 7 years, however if they are paid it will increase your score in time. You can also pull a credit report for free once a year from all three agencies to keep tabs on your credit report and to make sure it's all showing paid and it won't ding your credit because YOU are who is pulling it.

Answer 2

It should start climbing up slowly, but don't expect a miracle overnight. Your credit score will only jump up if you get a collection removed from your credit report. It's good that you took care of it before it became a charge-off.

Just work on the other aspects of your credit, such as outstanding debt. Pay down debts, and continue to pay on time. Try to raise credit limits on your active credit cards to increase your total available percentage of credit.

In time you'll be in the 600s, and eventually the 700s if you avoid such mistakes in the future.

Learn more at http://www.thetruthaboutcreditcards.com

Answer 3

That collection will remain on your record for 5 years. Just because you got your self organized and paid off the debt, doesn't mean that another bank would take that risk on you.

Unf, credit stays with you for a long time. Once you clear those negative factors from your report, make sure to pay your bills on time and keep your score up.

Answer 4

I disagree with Emjay's answer. First, she says that making a price on your debt "restarts" the clock on reporting. I have reported that in accordance to the honest credit Reportin Act, it obviously states that the reporting date starts on the day of default, and there's no longer something that announces the date might want to correctly be restarted, till the unique default quantity became paid and a clean debt has occured (FTC Opinion papers). So till she will provide me with a source for this ideas, please ignore that advice. Paying off a debt gained't help your credit status till that adverse record has been bumped off out of your heritage. If the creditor tells you they could't get rid of it, they are mendacity! credit reporting agencies in common words record what's shipped to them by technique of lenders. The creditor can in basic terms tell the corporate that they invoice is paid, without adverse comments, or they could get rid of it thoroughly. yet till you get them to vow IN WRITING, earlier you pay them something, they gained't do it! do no longer pay them a dime till they comply with restoration your credit histor. in the different case, what's the point of paying them? you'll now be broke, PLUS you may have a nasty heritage.

Answer 5

If you are back on track, you should see improvement (and credit card offers) very soon--about a year.