When can you get collections removed from your credit reports? What you need to know

But even if you’ve got pristine credit habits, it’s possible to find an erroneous collection on your credit report from time to time.

So, when can you get collections removed from your credit reports? Here’s what to know about those financial scars—and how to promptly deal with them.

How collections end up on your credit report

Collections end up on your credit report as a result of missing payments on a debt for an extended period of time.

After failing to receive payment for around 120 to 180 days, the creditor will generally turn over the account to collections. The collector may be in-house or third-party, depending on the specific bill. Your creditor may even sell the account to a debt buyer.

Once your debt has exchanged hands, the collector will try to get you to repay your debts. It may be via phone calls, letters, electronic communications, even in-person visits. If you still don’t pay, it can report the collection to one or more credit bureaus—but typically only after it’s sent the required notice and given you ample time to respond.

How long does a collection stay on your credit report?

A collection stays on your credit report for up to seven years from the date it first became delinquent (in other words, the first missed payment that you never caught up on). That’s a long time, and it can seriously hamper your credit. A collection account is a massive red flag for other would-be lenders.

If you’ve failed to repay a previous debt, lenders will often view you as a riskier borrower than someone without this negative mark. Even creditors that decide to give you a chance will likely offer comparatively lower credit limits and higher interest rates.

Of course, you should work to repay your debt as quickly as possible—your credit score will likely continue to suffer until it’s resolved. Missing payments can potentially drop your score 100+ points depending on your score before the delinquency. But repaying the debt will not affect the time that the collection stays on your report. Once it’s there, it can stay for seven years.

That said, there are instances where you may be able to wipe that blemish earlier.

When you can get a collection removed early

There are a handful of perfectly legal ways to get a collection removed from your credit report before seven years. Some (but not all) require a bit of kindheartedness by your creditor. Take a look and see if any of the following fit the circumstances you find yourself in.

The collection contains errors or isn’t yours

The only guaranteed way to get a collection removed early is if it was added in error. If you believe the collection has been wrongly attributed to you, dispute the item. The collection agency and the credit bureau will then have 30 days to verify that the collection is legitimate, or it must be immediately removed. 

Receiving an error like this is more common than you might think and can occur as a result of identity theft, incorrect data, or outdated information. 

Violation of the FCRA or FDCPA

Debt collectors sometimes break the rules. This gives you leverage to get a collection deleted (or at least fixed).

Examples of a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) include:

• Not thoroughly investigating your collection dispute.
• Not updating your collection status after it’s been paid.
• Reporting mistakes (e.g. a delinquency that belongs to someone with your same name).

Examples of a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) include:

• Calling you outside reasonable hours.
• Making legal threats they can’t take. 
• Misrepresenting who they are.

Goodwill deletion

There’s no harm in asking if a creditor (or, more rarely, a collection agency) will remove a collection from your credit report before the seven-year mark. Many have had success by writing a formal letter requesting the courtesy.

You’ll likely have the best chance at a collection removal if your debt has since been paid. If a creditor thinks your situation was a one-off, it may be more amenable to an adjustment.

Collector stops reporting

Nothing is forcing a creditor or collection agency to keep your collection on your credit report for seven years; that’s just the legal maximum. You may find that a collection drops off your account simply because the agency closes or sells the debt to a company that doesn’t report.

Don’t count on this.

How to dispute a collection on your credit report

If you find a collection on your credit that doesn’t belong, or if you receive an unexpected notice in the mail, you should dispute it as quickly as possible. The process of disputing isn’t difficult. Here’s how to do it:

1. Examine your credit reports: Take a look at your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit reports to find everywhere the collection appears. Take note of the date reported, the balance, and the lender name.
2. Gather your supporting documentation: Grab all relevant statements, payment confirmations, and anything else to prove your case. Whether a debt is too old to report, it’s paid but still displays as outstanding, or nonexistent, you should have paperwork that makes your argument for you.
3. File a dispute within 30 days: Sending a dispute to the credit bureaus reporting the error within 30 days of receiving a notice will pause collection until your delinquency is verified.
4. Keep an eye out for investigation results: Once you’ve filed a dispute, you should hear back within 30 days. You’ll receive written notice of what’s changed. If there’s been no change, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Eventually, you may consider involving a lawyer.

You can reach credit reporting companies online, by phone, or by mail.

What happens to your credit score after a collection is removed

Even if your account has been repaid, your credit score may still feel the weight of that collection until it falls off under certain scoring models.

After seven years (or sooner, with a benevolent creditor), your score typically rises. The amount that it rises will depend on the remainder of your credit profile. For example, if you otherwise have squeaky clean payment history, low credit utilization, and a lengthy average age of accounts, it may jump sharply. If you have maxed-out credit cards and a few other late payments, the change may be minimal.

The takeaway

A collection will stay on your credit report for up to seven years. The only guaranteed way to remove them before then is to dispute a collection that was slapped on your credit profile in error.

Aside from that you may try reaching out to the creditor or collection agency and asking that they remove it as a goodwill gesture. If they perceive that missing payments is not your typical modus operandi, they may consider it. Just know that you don’t have a legal right to expect this and you’re relying on the creditor showing grace.

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