Will collection accounts be taken off your credit report seven years after they appeared?

Derogatory information, like collection accounts, can legally appear on a consumer's credit report for seven years from the date of last activity according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This has nothing to do with when the account was first reported, or last paid. However, some collection agencies do not properly report the correct DLA, using a date of service, or date placed (with their agency). This can provide a consumer with grounds to dispute an account that had "activity" prior to seven years ago. They will not be taken off automatically, you must write to the CRA and request that the information be removed. * FDCPA and federal consumer laws require the debt to be expunged from the credit report when the time limit for such debt expires. As noted, credit bureaus are lax in their record keeping and a consumer will often need to send a written request and documentation to have the debt removed. Be advised judgments can be renewed and therefore can be replaced on a credit report indefinitely. Chapter 13 dismissed BK's remain for 7 years, a discharged chaper 7 or 13 will remain for 10 years.