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The Daily Insight Hub

How long before a debt is charged off?

Author

Daniel Santos

Updated on January 22, 2026

The standard time for creditors to perform a charge-off is after 180 days of nonpayment, but installment loans may be charged off after 120 days of delinquency. If you were making payments that were less than the monthly minimum amount due, your account can still be charged off as a bad debt.

What are some of the consequences of not paying your debts off in time?

What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Debts?

  • Your debt will go to a collection agency.
  • Debt collectors will contact you.
  • Your credit history and score will be affected.
  • Your debt will probably haunt you for years.
  • You’ll pay off the debt or not, but life will go on.

How long can you legally be chased for a debt?

How Long Can a Debt Collector Pursue an Old Debt? Each state has a law referred to as a statute of limitations that spells out the time period during which a creditor or collector may sue borrowers to collect debts. In most states, they run between four and six years after the last payment was made on the debt.

When does a creditor charge off a debt?

A charge-off usually occurs when the creditor has deemed an outstanding debt is uncollectible; this typically follows 180 days or six months of non-payment. In addition, debt payments that fall below the required minimum payment for the period will also be charged off if the debtor does not make up for the shortfall.

Can a credit card be charged off as bad debt?

The creditor closes your account, which could be a personal loan, credit card, revolving charge account or another debt you’ve failed to pay as promised, and it’s charged off as a bad debt. If you make payments that are less than the monthly minimum amount due, your account can still be charged off as bad debt.

Can a charge off be forgiven by a creditor?

A charge-off is a debt that is deemed unlikely to be collected by the creditor but the debt is not necessarily forgiven or written off entirely.

What happens to your credit if you dispute a debt?

Creditors, if they report your credit history inaccurately. Extent of damages incurred by the wronged party as deemed by the courts. Creditors, if you dispute a debt, and they fail to report it as disputed to the credit bureaus. Creditors, if they pull your credit file without permissible purpose.