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What happens to unpaid credit cards after 6 years?

Author

Daniel Santos

Updated on January 24, 2026

Unpaid credit card debt will drop off an individual’s credit report after 7 years, meaning late payments associated with the unpaid debt will no longer affect the person’s credit score. Unpaid credit card debt is not forgiven after 7 years, however.

Can you still be chased for debt after 6 years?

For most debts, the time limit is 6 years since you last wrote to them or made a payment. The time limit is longer for mortgage debts. Your debt could be statute barred if, during the time limit: you (or if it’s a joint debt, anyone you owe the money with), haven’t made any payments towards the debt.

Can a credit card company come after you after 7 years?

Can a Bill Collector Collect After Seven Years? Most debts have a statute of limitations that runs between four to six years. However, it’s still possible for a debt to be within the statute of limitations at seven years, depending on the debt, when the last payment was made and where you live.

What happens if a CCJ is not paid after 6 years?

After 6 years, the CCJ will be removed from the Register and your credit file even if it’s not yet been fully satisfied. If a CCJ goes unpaid, it will remain on your credit file for 6 years, and if it does get paid but after the one-month deadline, it will still appear on your file but will appear as ‘satisfied’.

What happens to unpaid credit card debt after seven years?

Credit Reporting Confusion. A common misconception exists that credit card debt you owe disappears after seven years when it disappears off of your credit report. In reality, credit card debt you left unpaid does not go away. However, a creditor has a limited time in which to sue you for the debt, called the statute of limitations.

Can you get a mortgage if you have credit card debt?

Credit card bills, collections and charge-offs – you can have some or all of these and still make a mortgage work. Of course, it’s never quite that simple. It’s often a question of what kind of debt, how much you have and what type of lenders and loan types you’re considering.

What happens when you default on a credit card?

If you default on a credit card debt, the late pays and charge off from the default will stay on your credit reports for 7 years. What about the debt? Once it comes off your credit report, do you still owe it? Get the facts, as how you manage old debt is a critical part of the credit repair process.

What happens to my credit if I don’t pay my credit cards?

When you constantly defer or fail to make payment of your credit card debt then the Bank will put a black mark on your credit report. A credit report is basically a memo on how well the bank can trust you.