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25 Ways to Get Out of Debt Fast

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Also, if you pay your credit card bill regularly, your balance/utilization ratio may decrease. An individual’s credit utilization ratio indicates what percentage of their total available credit they are currently using. Round up your loan payments. Bankruptcy counseling. Damaged credit score.

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How Long Do Late Payments Stay on Your Credit Report?

CreditStrong for Business

Most negative information such as late credit card payments, collection agency activity, and other missed payments toward debts remain on your credit report for seven years. Bankruptcy is an exception that may remain on your credit bureau report for up to 10 years.

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How Long Do Hard Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?

CreditStrong for Business

The three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, must record hard credit inquiries or “hard pulls” on consumer credit files for two years. A credit reporting company must maintain the inquiry (entry) as part of the credit history unless it was fraudulently conducted.