Negative items kept on your file past the 7-year (or 10-year for bankruptcies) statutory window.
Statute: FCRA §1681c(a)
Reviewed by David Hemminger, Consumer Protection Attorney · Hemminger Law Firm.
FCRA §1681c generally limits most adverse reporting to seven years and bankruptcy reporting to ten years. For collections and charge-offs, §1681c(c) measures the period from 180 days after the delinquency that immediately preceded collection or charge-off. Item categories and statutory exceptions must be reviewed before asserting obsolescence.
Adverse information may affect credit decisions. Whether an older entry is prohibited depends on its category, supported dates, reporting window and applicable exceptions.
We review the item category, supported delinquency dates, applicable reporting period and exceptions before raising an obsolescence dispute.
Dispute supported obsolescence concerns under FCRA §1681i. Re-verification is a reason to review the evidence; it does not by itself establish willfulness or liability.
Under 15 U.S.C. §1681n, individual statutory damages for willful noncompliance are $100–$1,000 instead of actual damages; punitive damages, costs and attorney fees may also be available. Negligent noncompliance under §1681o requires actual damages. Settlement figures are not a statutory range. 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.
Yes. Chapter 7 may report for 10 years from filing; Chapter 13 commonly reports for 7 years from filing under furnisher policy.
No. The 7-year reporting window runs from the original date of first delinquency with the original creditor and survives every transfer.
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 time-barred reporting 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
Before you dispute, see the score mortgage lenders actually use: your real TransUnion FICO 4. Then target the items dragging it down.
Soft inquiry only — checking never hurts your credit. No credit card required.
Credit repair starts with knowing what is actually being reported. Credit1Solutions combines your credit information, educational tools, document organization and self-service technology in one connected experience.