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The Daily Insight Hub

Is there a time limit on debt collection?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on February 19, 2026

Fortunately, the law limits the amount of time a negative account such as a debt collection can be listed on your credit report. The credit bureau can only list a past due balance on your credit report for seven years, starting from the date of the delinquency. After that, the account should fall off your credit report, even if you haven’t paid it.

Is there Statute of limitations on unpaid credit card debt?

Anyone with unpaid credit card debt should know their state’s statute. “In most states, the statute of limitations period on debts is between three and 10 years; in some states, the period is longer,” according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

How long does a charge off stay on your credit report?

A charge-off—an entry in your credit report that indicates a lender has given up trying to collect a debt you owe them—is a serious negative event in your credit history that remains on your credit report for seven years.

How long do collections accounts stay on your credit report?

However, there is a time limit for how long the collection account will stay on your credit report. Collection accounts are deleted from your credit history seven years from the original delinquency date of the original account that you failed to pay as agreed.

How old is the Statute of limitations on credit card debt?

Here is where things can be confusing: Say the statute of limitations is 3 years in your state, and your debt is 4 years old, with no account activity in the last 4 years. This means that the statute of limitations has passed, even though the debt is still listed on your credit report.

Is there a time limit to challenge a credit card debt?

Once this time limit has passed, you can use the expired statute of limitations to challenge the credit card issuer who takes you to court over the debt. 4