A furnisher resets the date of first delinquency so an old charge-off looks newer than it really is.
Statute: FCRA §1681s-2(a)(5) and §1681c(a)(4)
Reviewed by David Hemminger, Consumer Protection Attorney · Hemminger Law Firm.
Federal law gives most negative items a strict 7-year reporting window measured from the original date of first delinquency. Re-aging happens when a creditor, debt buyer, or collector reports a later date so the account stays on your file past that 7-year window.
Re-aged accounts inflate your negative payment history, depress your score, and can keep you out of mortgage, auto, and rental approvals years after the debt should have aged off entirely.
We compare the date of first delinquency reported by each of the three bureaus against the original creditor's records and against any prior credit reports you supply. Mismatches across bureaus, sudden date jumps after a transfer to a debt buyer, or a date that conflicts with statute-of-limitations math are typical signals.
We dispute the date of first delinquency under FCRA §1681i and demand the furnisher correct or delete the tradeline. Where the furnisher refuses or re-verifies an obviously inaccurate date, our attorney network may pursue claims for actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney fees.
Reported FCRA actual + statutory recoveries on re-aging cases commonly fall in the $1,000 - $3,500 per-furnisher range; class actions and willful-violation cases have produced higher awards. Award ranges are illustrative of historical FCRA / FDCPA recoveries reported in public consent orders and reported settlements; they are not a guarantee of any particular outcome.
Under FCRA §1681c, most negative items must come off 7 years after the original date of first delinquency — not from the date of charge-off, sale, or last payment.
No. Federal law measures the 7 years from the original delinquency, not from any later payment, settlement, or transfer between collectors.
Order all three credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), then compare the same account across bureaus. Mismatched dates, balances, statuses, or duplicate entries are the most common signal. Credit1Solutions offers a free 3-bureau review to flag candidate items for dispute.
No. Initial credit report review and dispute strategy are included in our service plans, and partnered consumer-protection attorneys take qualified FCRA/FDCPA matters on a contingency basis — fees are paid by the defendant under the statutes' fee-shifting provisions, not by you.
Pull a free 3-bureau credit report review and we will flag suspected re-aged debts items for attorney-supervised dispute. Start your free consultation or take the eligibility quiz. Explore all violation types we monitor.
Reviewed by Hemminger Law Firm, Consumer Rights Attorneys | Last reviewed: January 1, 2026
Consumers are protected by several federal laws when dealing with credit reporting issues related to credit education:
You may file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Reviewed by Hemminger Law Firm, Consumer Rights Attorneys | Last reviewed: January 1, 2026
The credit education company with attorneys who pursue collectors and bureaus when they violate FCRA / FDCPA. Typical client recovery: $3,500+ per successful case. Free TransUnion FICO® 4 mortgage score included — no credit card required.