If it indeed has been 9 years since the account was put in collections, then you might be protected by the statute of limitations. The Statute of Limitations (SOL) is the date from which a collector can no longer collect through legal recourse (i.e. sue you to collect), and it is based on a running clock from the date of your last payment. The statute of limitations, and collection laws, vary by state. I'd recommend reviewing the Bills.com Collection Laws page.
The date from which an account 'drops off of your credit report' is a credit reporting issue. Keep in mind that the seven years starts running from the date the account was charged off by the creditor, which generally means seven and a half years from the date of last payment. I encourage you to review your credit report carefully to make sure that the dates of last payment being reported on these accounts are correct.
Some creditors, especially debt purchasing firms, will report inaccurate charge-off dates to extend the amount of time an old account appears on your credit report. If you find any inaccurate information, you should dispute the credit report listing with the bureau in question. The Federal Trade Commission offers advice regarding the dispute of inaccurate credit report listings.
You should always consult an attorney locally if you have questions or legal concerns. I hope that the information I have provided helps you Find. Learn. Save.
Best,
Bill
www.bills.com/
