if something is in collections on your credit report how many years does it stay there before coming off?

Answer 1

Depending on the type of account, things can remain for 7 to 10 years.

As for what purdles posted that making a payment will re-age the reporting time - that is inaccurate.
It is illegal to re-age the reporting period to make an account report for a longer period than it normally would report.

And I KNOW that kind of inaccurate info was not found on creditboards (also as for the "work" for that discussion board comment, the site is a totally free site and the members & mods on that site do not, and would not, receive pay for their "donated" time)

Answer 2

Actually, they DO come off in 7-10 years. Legally, they have to remove items that are over 7 years old, with the exception of bankruptcies, judgements, and possibly student loans. They will usually drop them off automatically but if they don't, a simple inquiry with the credit bureau will get it removed quickly.

That's only IF it has indeed expired and you have not reactivated it by making payments on it. Say for instance, it is a bill that is 6 years old, you have never paid on it, but suddenly in year 6, you decide to send them half of it - well, you just restarted the clock as it is now a "current account".

Check out creditboards.com, by far the BEST source of credit advice on the 'net! (I don't work for them, but they have helped me and others out of SO much over the years)

Answer 3

7 years unless you do something before then. On your credit report it will tell you how long it will be on there. like until which year.

Answer 4

Things never come off of your credit report, but the status of the claim/collection should change once you clear it up - it will show that it was paid.