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Obsolete & Outdated Information on Your Consumer Report 

Old, inaccurate, or obsolete records can unfairly damage your credit, affect job opportunities, or block housing approvals. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets clear limits on how long negative information can appear on your consumer reports. If outdated information is still showing up, you may have the right to dispute it — and take legal action if it isn’t removed.

How Long Can Information Stay on Your Consumer Report --
When is Information Outdated Information? 

Good information or information that doesn’t adversely affect your score: Indefinitely

Criminal convictions: Indefinitely

Credit transaction exceeding $150,000: Indefinitely

Employment with annual salary exceeding $75,000: Indefinitely

Bankruptcies: 10 years after date of Entry of Relief

Lawsuits, Judgments & Records Relating to Arrest: 7 years after longer of Date of Entry or expiration of SOL

Paid tax liens: 7 years after paid

Student loans: Varies

Accounts placed for Collection or Charged Off: 7.5 years from date of first delinquency

Everything else: 7 years

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Note: as of 2023, major credit bureaus (the "Big 3") no longer include civil judgments and tax liens on consumer credit reports; bankruptcy is the only public record that appears. This information will still be a part of the public record, so many affect your ability to obtain credit, and may also still appear on some specialty consumer reports. 

Accuracy Matters Even Within the Time Limit

The FCRA requires that all information be current and accurate. Even if negative information is still within the reporting window, it cannot be:

  • Reported under the wrong status (e.g., “open” when the account is closed)

  • Reported with the wrong balance or date

  • Reported multiple times by different furnishers (duplicate tradelines)

Creditors and data furnishers must update their records regularly. Stale or outdated information can be a violation of federal law.

Steps to Take If You Find
Outdated Information on Your Consumer Report

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  1. Dispute the information with each consumer reporting agency that reported it and demand correction. They must investigate within 30–45 days.

  2. Demand corrections from the furnisher (e.g., bank, collector).

  3. Seek legal help if the inaccurate or obsolete data remains. The FCRA gives you the right to recover damages for violations.​

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Take control of your reports. Outdated or inaccurate information should not hold you back. At Wells Law – Chicago, we help consumers nationwide fight credit reporting abuses, challenge obsolete data, and hold reporting companies accountable.

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Be informed. Be empowered. Be protected. Contact us today. 

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