How long can negative information hurt your credit score?
Editor's Note
When negative information shows up on your credit report, there's a good chance it may hurt your credit score. From late payments and collection accounts to charge-offs and bankruptcies, derogatory credit information can have varying degrees of impact on your credit score.
Negative credit items also have the potential to hang around for a while and could make it harder to qualify for new financing (like credit cards and loans) as long as they're present. But those credit blemishes can't stay on your credit report forever. Here's when you can expect to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Related: How do credit scores work?
Negative information and your credit score
It can be difficult to understand how credit scores work as a consumer. One of the main sources of this difficulty is the fact that specific items on your credit report (aka credit score factors) aren't worth a preset number of points.
For example, when a new 30-day late payment shows up on your credit report, you won't automatically lose 20 points — or any set number, for that matter. Technically, you won't lose any points at all. But you might earn fewer points, which could result in a lower number the next time your credit score is calculated.
Instead, credit scoring models like FICO and VantageScore consider all of the information on your credit report at once. A new collection account might cause a bigger credit score decline for someone with an otherwise clean credit report than for someone with credit blemishes.
Nonetheless, the person with the overall cleaner credit report would likely wind up with the higher credit score.
How long does negative information hurt your credit score?
Two other details impact how negative information impacts your credit score: recency (or age) and severity. Here's a look at how these two factors can come into play.
- Recency: A more recent late payment would probably hurt your credit score more than a late payment that is several years old.
- Severity: A 90-day late payment tends to be more damaging than one that is 30 days late.
As you can see, negative credit information typically does the most damage to your credit score when it first appears on your credit report.
Although derogatory information might hurt your credit score as long as it shows up on your credit report, the impact should become less pronounced over time — especially if you can avoid additional derogatory credit items.
Credit reporting time limits
Any item on your credit report can potentially affect your credit score — for good or ill. So, if you make a mistake and end up with damaging information on your credit report, it's a good idea to learn how long those issues might be a problem.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the three major credit bureaus (and others). According to the FCRA, most types of derogatory credit information have a maximum shelf life of seven or 10 years. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Here's a helpful chart to help you figure out how long the information on your credit report might stick around.
| Types of credit information | Credit reporting time limit |
|---|---|
| 7 years |
| 10 years |
| 2 years |
| Indefinite |
Read more: Does applying for a new credit card hurt your credit?
What to do about incorrect or outdated items on your credit report
There's not much you can do to get an accurate but negative item removed from your credit report early. Unless you can talk a creditor into a goodwill removal (which is a long shot), most derogatory items will stay on your credit report for as long as the law allows.
But if an item on your credit report is inaccurate or it's been there for longer than the FCRA permits, there are a few actions you can take:
- Dispute: Per the FCRA, you have the right to dispute any incorrect or outdated information on your credit report. You can send disputes online or via mail, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends using certified mail (return receipt request) for dispute letters. This free FTC guide can help you navigate the dispute process.
- Complain: In addition to disputing the incorrect information on your credit report, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
- Escalate: If disputes and complaints don't fix your problem, you might consider talking to an attorney who specializes in the FCRA. An attorney can help you discover if your rights have been violated and may be able to offer additional avenues to try to correct credit reporting errors.
Related: How to avoid late and overdraft fees
Bottom line
Negative items on your credit report have the potential to damage your credit score. It can also be harder to qualify for financing when blemishes appear in your credit history.
Your best bet is to try to avoid issues like late payments, charge-offs and collection accounts in the first place. But if you do make a mistake (or have an error show up on your credit report), all hope isn't lost. You can work to improve your credit and try to put yourself back in a better position for the future.
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$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.