Profile:
Collection agencies may try to collect a debt after it is deleted from your credit report
Dear Experian,
How long can a collection agency attempt to collect a debt? Is there a time limit or statute?
- CLI
Removing your son as an authorized user
Dear Experian,
If I remove my son as an authorized user on my credit card account will the previous activity still be listed on his credit report?
- TLE
Non-sufficient funds checks on a credit report
Dear Experian,
How long do non-sufficient funds checks (NSF’s) stay on your credit report?
- LLS
Credit monitoring service alert about a new inquiry
Dear Experian,
How do I find out who is checking my credit report? I have not applied for any recent credit, and a credit monitoring service has reported an Experian credit check.
- MWM
“Charged off” debt must still be repaid
Dear Experian,
What does it mean when Account Type/Status says “Charge Off”? Does this mean I no longer owe this amount?
- ERS
Credit reporting companies do not turn down or approve credit
Mother cannot report personal car payments
Dear Experian,
I’ve been making regular car payments to my mother for a loan in her name. How can she report these payments to help my credit?
- ZAB
Items deleted through dispute should be deleted from all credit reports
Dear Experian,
I disputed items on my credit report to Experian, and they were deleted. Will the items be deleted from my reports with the other two agencies as well?
- JSU
Spouse opening new credit card accounts
Dear Experian,
I’m pretty much sick of credit cards, and I’m paying off all my accounts. My wife agrees with me but opens new ones whenever she feels like it. Is there a way to keep her from doing that?
- NLI
Opting out of preapproved offers does not help credit scores
Dear Experian,
Does opting out of preapproved mail offers raise my credit score?
- RTU
Credit history no longer exists
Dear Experian,
I have been living debt free for over 10 years. I had credit at one time and have never had any problems with late or missed payments. I have always had a good job. It seems that my name and existence has been deleted from the credit reporting system. Is there a way for me to at least put the fact that I exist back into the system before making an application for credit?
- CRZ
Information is deleted automatically at the end of the seven year period
Dear Experian,
Do you have to request information be removed when it is time to be deleted, or will it just to fall off?
- MCC
How long it takes to thaw a frozen credit report
Dear Experian,
If I have thawed my credit, how long before I can apply for credit and it will be accessible?
- SME
Effect of multiple mortgage applications
Dear Experian,
Will it affect my credit score if get I get a mortgage pre-approval letter from more than one bank? If it does how much would it affect my score? Also, will it affect my score, if I check my credit score with you guys?
- UYI
Impact of missing one mortgage payment
Dear Experian,
I admit I was late on one mortgage payment in 30 years, and my credit dropped 52 points. Is that normal for the credit industry, and am I stuck with that for seven years on my credit? Is a dispute allowed on this or not?
- PWR
Is it better to pay off one credit card or reduce the balances on two?
Dear Experian,
If I am trying to raise my credit score, it is better to pay off one credit card entirely or pay down the balance of two cards without paying off either one?
- ECH
When are closed accounts deleted?
Dear Experian,
Will the closed account ever be removed from my credit report?
- OWE
Multiple name variations appearing on your credit report
Dear Experian,
Too many versions of my name come up on my credit report. How do I delete the wrong ones?
- AUL
April is Financial Literacy Month
Dear Readers,
April is Financial Literacy Month. Experian believes that knowledge is the key to unlocking financial success and is proud to be an active supporter of many financial literacy programs across the country.
Credit information from 1993 no longer in Experian’s credit files
Dear Experian,
Can I go back to 1992 or 1993 to get some information that was in my credit reports at that time?
- GTH
Not paying utility bills and insurance could hurt credit scores
Dear Experian,
Does paying a utility bill or car or home insurance late affect your credit scores?
- FXR
Date opened nor date closed affect when account is deleted
Dear Experian,
My credit report shows delinquencies on very old accounts from when I was laid off and unemployed for 18 months. All repayments were arranged between myself and the lender and repaid as agreed. How long before these come off my credit report? Is it from the date closed or opened?
- WTR
About Ask Experian
Welcome to Ask Experian, hosted by Maxine Sweet, Experian's Vice President of Public Education. The blog responses draw on the knowledge of Experian's experts in credit reporting, credit scoring, direct marketing, automotive history, identity theft and other areas from across the company to answer readers' questions about these and other important topics.