Negative Information

Also called derogatory information.

Includes late payments, collection accounts, judgements, liens.

It will appear on your credit history for 7 years past the last activity date. Payment is considered activity.

If it stays on past the 7 years, notify the bureau(s), it should be removed.

Inquiries remain for 2 years and do affect your credit score.

Liens can remain for up to 10 years.

	Should I Pay A Collection Account Paid collection accounts definitely look better than unpaid collection accounts when it comes to generating a credit score. One factor to consider is how old the credit account is. If it is say 4 years old, paying on it will count as activity and it could remain for another 7 years. Waiting 3 more years will allow it to drop off your credit report anyway.
	Which Items Should I Dispute Anything you know is not yours should be disputed. Up to 70% of credit report(s) contain errors. Anything you feel you are not responsible for should also be disputed. Examples are : Late Payments when you were not late. Collection accounts where you have proof that you paid on time. Inquiry(s) when you know you did not apply for credit.
	I Disputed It But They Won't Take It Off If the credit bureau has verified it, and it won't come off your credit report, you will need to take it up with the creditor and/or collection agency. If that doesn't work, you have one other option. You may attach a written statement to that account in your credit report. There are varying opinions as to this rdoes anything to help you. If a creditor gets a hard copy print out of what is on your report, they will see it. However if they use an automated decisioning system, I don't think that any of these looks at this info. It certainly cannot hurt.
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Should I Pay A Collection Account