You can also check your state’s statute of limitations here: Statute of Limitations On Debt Collection by State. If it is outside the statute of limitations and off your credit reports then you shouldn’t be too worried. They can try to collect but you can tell them not to contact you again and they must stop.
http://blog.credit.com/2012/12/does-your-old-debt-have-an-expiration-date-63536/
If they aren’t they will no longer be reported. If they are confirmed, they can legally they can be reported for 7 years from the date you were late. You have two choices. One is to seek help from a consumer law attorney with expertise in debt collection and credit reporting matters.
http://blog.credit.com/2012/12/does-your-old-debt-have-an-expiration-date-63536/
You can get your free annual credit reports to see if you’re facing a judgment. You can also see the impact that judgment is having on your credit scores for free on Credit.com. In the case of our reader’s friend, she should first find out the statute of limitations for credit card debt in her state.
http://blog.credit.com/2012/12/does-your-old-debt-have-an-expiration-date-63536/
1 Bankruptcies: 7 years for completed Chapter 13 bankruptcies and 10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcies. 2  Foreclosures: 7 years. 3  Collections: Generally, about 7 years, depending on the age of the debt being collected. 4  Public Record: Generally 7 years, although unpaid tax liens can remain indefinitely.
http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/Negative-Items-On-Credit-Report-Chapter-7-13.aspx
(2) seek validation within 30 days of the date of the collection agency letter, and (3) seek their reply within 30 days of your letter seeking validation. If the “original documentation”, does not exisits, the credit or oan company would NOT be able to file a suite (claims) in the court.
http://blog.credit.com/2012/12/does-your-old-debt-have-an-expiration-date-63536/
It depends on the type of negative information. Here's the basic breakdown of how long different types of negative information will remain on your credit report: 1  Late payments: 7 years. 2  Bankruptcies: 7 years for completed Chapter 13 bankruptcies and 10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcies. 3  Foreclosures: 7 years.
http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/Negative-Items-On-Credit-Report-Chapter-7-13.aspx
But if these are collection accounts they should not be on your credit report after 8 years. Collection accounts may only be reported for seven years plus 180 days from the date you first fell behind with the original creditor, paid or unpaid. I went through a divorce 12 years ago and she assumed some of the debt.
http://blog.credit.com/2012/12/does-your-old-debt-have-an-expiration-date-63536/
Keep in mind: For all of these negative items, the older they are the less impact they are going to have on your FICO® score. For example, a collection that is 5 years old will hurt much less than a collection that is 5 months old.
http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/Negative-Items-On-Credit-Report-Chapter-7-13.aspx
The rules for the reporting of debts can be found in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA. The act states that most negative items must be removed from your credit report seven years from the first date of delinquency. Some exceptions to the seven-year rule include: 1  Share this story. 2  LinkedIn. 3  Delicious. 4  Reddit. 5  Stumbleupon. 6  Email story. 7  Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings (10 years).
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/old-debt-fall-credit-report.aspx
You can dispute an item on your credit reports that you believe to be inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. Obviously you would dispute anything that is just flat-out not yours, like a collection account tied to an account you have never had, all the way to an address you have never lived at.
http://blog.credit.com/2014/07/can-you-get-a-debt-collection-account-off-your-credit-report-88370/
how long does it take for collections to come off credit report
It takes about 7 years for collections to come off credit report. Collections takes about 7 years to come off credit report, depending on the age of the debt being collected.