Your credit report is the raw data behind your credit score. It shows every account, payment, inquiry, and public record for up to 10 years.
How Long Negative Items Stay on Your Credit Report
| Item | Time on Report | When Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Late payment (30-120 days) | 7 years | Date of first delinquency |
| Collection account | 7 years | Date of original delinquency |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | 10 years | Filing date |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 7 years | Filing date |
| Hard inquiry | 2 years | Date of inquiry |
| Foreclosure | 7 years | Date of first missed payment |
Key rule: Negative items cannot be reset by selling the debt to a new collector. The 7-year clock always runs from the original date of delinquency.
All Credit Report Guides
How to Read Your Credit Report
Every section of your credit report explained — accounts, inquiries, public records.
How Long Items Stay on Your Report
Complete timeline: late payments, collections, bankruptcy, hard inquiries.
How Long Do Late Payments Stay?
Late payments stay 7 years — but their impact fades much sooner.
How Long Do Collections Stay?
Collections timeline and how to dispute or settle them before they fall off.
How Long Do Hard Inquiries Stay?
Hard pulls disappear after 2 years — their score impact fades after 12 months.
Credit Bureau Phone Numbers
Direct contact numbers for Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Equifax Phone Number
How to reach Equifax customer service for disputes and freezes.
Experian Phone Number
How to reach Experian customer service for disputes and freezes.
New Credit Report and Credit-Building Guides (May 2026)
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