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Late payment history will remain for a time after debt is paid

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Topics addressed on April 29, 2009:

Late payment history will remain for a time after debt is paid

Dear Max,

After I pay off the negative items on my credit are lenders able to see that I once had negative items?

- IDE

Dear IDE,

Lenders will see that the accounts are paid, but the credit report will also show that the payments had been late in the past. Remember, your credit report is really your credit history.

The accounts in your credit report will show that they are now current but that they were late, and will indicate how many days late (30, 60, 90, etc.). Because risk is assessed by looking at payment behavior over time, you need to develop a history of on-time payments. Eventually, the negative information will be deleted.

Paying off a debt is a great step toward taking control of your personal finances. Keep making those payments on time and you will soon be able to qualify for the credit you want with no problem at all.

Thanks for asking.

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