How can you remove charge offs yourself?

Valid charge offs and/or other negative information cannot be removed from a credit report until the required time limit has expired. Do not be mislead by companies claiming to "fix" consumer credit reports for a fee. All negative entries remain on the report for 7 years with the exception of a discharged or dismissed chapter 7 banruptcy which is 10 years and a discharged chapter 13 which is also 10 years.

Actually, charge-offs can be removed prior to the tolling of the 7 year period, but only if the creditor agrees to do so. With most companies, you need a good reason - such as fraud.