Monday, September 15, 2008

Information on Charge-Offs on a Credit Report

Information on Charge-Offs on a Credit Report

If ignored, credit card and medical debt result in a charge-off. Charge-offs have serious consequences for your credit score. In addition, the IRS will require you to pay taxes on the charged-off amount.

The Facts

    Charge-offs are the result of nonpayment. The higher your credit score is prior to the charge-off, the more points you will lose after the charge-off occurs.

Time Frame

    Charge-offs typically occur after 180 days pass without a payment's being made. A charge-off will remain on your credit report for seven years.

Function

    A debt must be charged off by the creditor so that the creditor is able to claim the debt as a tax loss.

Prevention

    A charge-off can be avoided by working out a payment plan or settlement with your creditor.

Effects

    Charged-off debts are often sold to collection agencies, which report their ownership of the debt to credit bureaus, further damaging your credit score.

Warning

    A collection agency may sue you to recover the balance of a charged-off debt.

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