How long are collection and judgments to stay on your credit?

Question

How long are collection items allowed to stay on your credit report. Also how long are judgements to stay on your credit report? Thanks for your help.

Thanks for all of the great answers however I'm a little confused. So is it 7 years from when it was first put on my credit OR 7 years from when they called me last about it or updated the information on the credit report?

Answer 1

Credit agencies stores information from credit grantors and public records, including bankruptcies, judgments and liens. Missed payments and most public record items remain on the credit report for seven years, with the exception of Chapter 7, 11 and 12 bankruptcies, which remain for 10 years, and unpaid tax liens, which remain for up to 15 years.

Active positive information may remain on the report indefinitely.

Requests for your credit history remain on the credit report for up to two years.

Answer 2

Per the 2007 edition of the Consumer Action Handbook, 7-years for collections and 7-years or until the statute of limitations run out, whichever is longer for judgments.

Answer 3

the correct answer is 7 years from the last reported date on you credit report, even then you most likely will need to contact the credit reporting agency to have them removed.

remember 7years from when they "LAST REPORTED" it as a bad debt.

most companies will call you or have a third party call you, causing an inquiry on the item and then they can report it again, and keep it on for a long er time. don't respond unless you are going to try and settle your debt. if all else fails the reporting will stop after 10 years permanently.

Answer 4

You've got 7 years. Some will never leave, like student loans and I believe IRS and DMV debt. But most credit cards and lines of credit will linger for about 7 years.

Answer 5

up to 7 years after u have paid in full

Answer 6

7-10 years if they're paid or settled. Forever if they're not. (Collection agencies just keep selling the accounts to keep them on your credit report.)