How Long Negative Items Stay on Your Credit Report

Negative items on your credit report can hurt your credit score. But they don’t last forever.

Most negative marks fall off after seven years. Their impact fades over time, especially as you build positive credit habits.

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You have the right to dispute incorrect information and have it removed. Accurate information usually can’t be erased early.

What Are Negative Items on a Credit Report?

Your credit report is a history of all your credit accounts.

A negative item is any record that suggests you didn’t pay a debt as agreed.

The most common negative credit report items are:

Missed payments
Late payments
Accounts in default or collections
Repossessions
Foreclosures
Bankruptcy
Hard credit inquiries (also called hard credit checks or pulls)

Why Do Negative Credit Report Items Matter?

Negative items on your credit report drag down your credit score. They signal to future lenders that you might be a risky borrower.

If you have many negative items on your report, you may be denied for certain credit cards or loans.

If you are approved, you’re more likely to face high interest rates. You may also face additional requirements like annual fees or larger down payments.

How Long Do Negative Items Stay on Your Credit Report?

Most negative information stays on your credit report for seven years.

Some things, like a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, can remain for up to 10 years. Hard credit checks have a much shorter life of two years.

Here’s a quick breakdown of common negative items:

Type of Negative Item	How Long It Stays
Late or missed payments	7 years from first missed payment
Collections or charge-offs	7 years from delinquency date
Repossession	7 years
Foreclosure	7 years
Chapter 13 bankruptcy	7 years
Chapter 7 bankruptcy	10 years
Hard inquiries	2 years

Here’s some good news: As negative items get older, they have less impact on your credit score.

Most credit scoring models give more weight to your recent payment history. Your current and future financial choices can still help shape your score positively.

Where Do These Time Limits Come From?

These time limits come from the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The FCRA is a federal law that controls what credit bureaus can report about you. It also controls for how long they can report it.

Credit reporting agencies must remove most negative items once they reach their time limit. But they’re also required to report accurate information.

If a negative item is true, like a missed payment or collection account, it usually stays on your report until the time limit expires. Some creditors make exceptions for one-off missed or late payments.

The FCRA gives you the right to access your credit report for free. You can also dispute any errors you find.

How Bankruptcy Can Actually Help You Improve Your Credit Score

Under the FCRA, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically stays on for seven years.

That might sound discouraging, but here’s the good news: Your credit is not ruined forever.

As time passes, the bankruptcy affects your score less and less. You can start building strong credit habits with our partner Kikoff after your case closes.

In fact, many people find that their credit improves faster after filing bankruptcy. You’re no longer juggling debts you can’t afford and dealing with late payments.

Once you’ve cleared those debts through bankruptcy, staying current on new bills becomes much easier. You can rebuild your credit over time.

Even with a bankruptcy on your report, you may still qualify for credit cards or car loans. You may even qualify for a mortgage down the line, often much sooner than you think.

The key is to focus on small, steady wins: Pay all your bills on time. Keep balances low. Check your credit reports regularly for errors.

You may not be able to erase the bankruptcy early. But you can absolutely move forward and rebuild a strong credit profile.

Can Negative Items Be Removed Sooner?

Sometimes!

Here’s how it works: If there’s inaccurate information on your credit report, you can dispute the error. The credit bureau has to investigate and remove the item if they confirm it’s inaccurate.

If the information is accurate, it’s harder to get it removed because of the FCRA. Some people have success by writing a goodwill letter or pay-for-delete letter. You’re more likely to be successful if the negative item was a one-time thing.

How To Dispute Inaccurate Information

Mistakes on credit reports are more common than you might think. If an account is listed as late when it wasn’t, you can file a dispute.

Many people send a written dispute letter by certified mail. They have proof the credit bureau received it.

The credit bureau then has 30 days to investigate. If you provide more information during the process, they may have up to 45 days.

Include copies of documents that support your case. Payment confirmations or account statements help.

Goodwill Letters

If the negative mark is accurate, like a missed payment you’ve since paid, some people try writing a goodwill letter to the lender.

You’re basically making a polite request asking them to remove the item from your credit report.

In your letter, you can briefly explain the situation that led to the missed payment. Highlight your recent positive payment history.

There’s no guarantee it’ll work. But some lenders are willing to help if the account is now in good standing.

Pay-for-Delete Agreements

In some cases, people try to negotiate with a collection agency. They offer payment in exchange for removing a negative item.

Credit bureaus discourage this practice. Many collection agencies won’t agree to it.

That said, some people have had success with this approach. It works especially with smaller or less formal collectors.

If you’re considering this, get any agreement in writing before you pay.

How To Dispute a Negative Item on Your Credit Report

If you see something on your credit report that doesn’t look right, you have the right to dispute it. The credit bureau is required by law to investigate your claim.

You can file a dispute in three ways:

By phone

By mail

Online with the credit bureau reporting the error

Filing a dispute online might be most convenient. But sending your dispute by mail gives you a clear paper trail.

If you use certified mail with a return receipt, you’ll have proof. You can track the 30-day deadline they have to complete their investigation.

Here’s a basic outline of how the dispute process works:

Write a Dispute Letter

In your letter, explain what’s wrong and why you believe the information is incorrect. Include your name, address, and any account numbers related to the error.

Include Supporting Documents

If you have proof or supporting evidence, include copies of it with your letter. Bank statements, payment confirmations, or letters from the creditor help.

Don’t send the originals. Keep those for your records.

Send It to the Right Credit Bureau

You only need to contact the bureau that’s reporting the error. If more than one bureau shows the same mistake, send separate letters to each one.

There are three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each compiles information and creates a unique credit report.

Use Certified Mail

Many people send their dispute letter by certified mail with a return receipt. You get proof that the bureau received your letter and can track your timeline.

Once the credit bureau receives your dispute, they generally have 30 days to investigate. If you send additional documents during that time, the investigation may take up to 45 days.

If the bureau agrees the item is incorrect, they’ll remove or correct it. If they don’t, they must explain why.

Mailing Addresses for the Major Credit Bureaus

Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000

Equifax
Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

How and Why To Monitor Your Credit Reports

Once you’ve taken steps to fix your credit report, keep an eye on it. Monitoring your credit helps you catch mistakes early and track your progress.

You can also spot signs of identity theft before they spiral into bigger problems.

You can check your credit reports for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com. You get full access to reports from all three major credit bureaus.

If you spot something suspicious, like a new account you didn’t open, it could be identity theft. Report the error immediately.

Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports. Report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.

Keeping tabs on your credit helps you protect your progress. You catch errors before they cause damage and build a stronger financial future.

Tip: If you’re looking for extra protection, especially against identity theft, consider a credit freeze. Freezing your credit is completely free. It blocks new lenders from accessing your credit report. You can unfreeze your credit anytime if you need to apply for something.

Will Your Credit Score Go Up When Negative Items Fall Off?

Often, yes, especially if the item had a big impact. Collections or bankruptcy have large effects on your score.

But credit scores are based on your whole report. Your score might only improve a little unless you’re also building positive credit.

Making on-time payments and keeping balances low helps. Our partner Kikoff can help you build credit safely while rebuilding your financial profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered a negative item on a credit report?

A negative item is any record showing you didn't pay a debt as agreed. Common examples include missed or late payments, accounts in collections, charge-offs, repossessions, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and hard credit inquiries. These items can lower your credit score and make future borrowing more difficult or expensive.

How do I remove inaccurate negative items from my credit report?

You can dispute inaccurate information by contacting the credit bureau reporting the error. Send a dispute letter by certified mail with supporting documents like payment confirmations or account statements. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must remove or correct the item if they confirm it's inaccurate.

Can I remove accurate negative items from my credit report early?

Accurate negative items typically can't be removed early because credit bureaus are required to report truthful information. Some people try writing a goodwill letter to the creditor or negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement with collection agencies, but success is not guaranteed. The best approach is building positive credit habits while waiting for items to age off naturally.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for up to 10 years from the filing date. Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically remains for 7 years. Despite these timeframes, many people find their credit improves faster after bankruptcy because they're no longer juggling unaffordable debts and can focus on building positive payment history.

Will my credit score improve when negative items fall off?

Your credit score will often improve when negative items fall off, especially if they had a significant impact like collections or bankruptcy. However, your score is based on your entire credit report. You'll see the best improvement by actively building positive credit through on-time payments, keeping balances low, and maintaining diverse credit accounts.