DEAR SUN SPOTS: How can one get things more than seven years old removed off their credit record? And if they do, will it increase their credit score? Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Have you tried contacting the credit agencies and asking why those items still appear on your report? While most debts drop off after seven years, there may be some exceptions dependent on the type of debt.

Here are the addresses and phone numbers for the agencies:

* Experian, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, 888-397-3742, www.experian.com

* Equifax Credit Information Services Inc., P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374, 800-685-1111, www.equifax.com

* TransUnion, LLC, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022, 800-888-4213, www.transunion.com

There are two different numbers to consider when dealing with debt. One is the statute of limitations (time limit) on how long you can be pursued for a debt (seven years in many states, but six in Maine, according to several websites). The second number is how long that information appears on your credit report, and they are not necessarily the same, depending on where you live.

The following information appears on creditinfocenter.com:

“Your state’s statute of limitations for debt collection dictates how long a collection agency or credit card company has to file a lawsuit against you for your delinquent credit card debt. Creditors lose their legal right to take you to court for the debt, but will still try to persuade you to pay off your defaulted credit card balance voluntarily. …

“A credit report does not list current valid debts for consumers, it reports on payment history. The Fair Credit Reporting Act says a delinquent account stays on your credit report for for seven years from the first time you missed a payment on of the debt. So even if a debt is expired, the payment history stays on your credit report for seven years.”

Sun Spots cannot answer the second part of your question. The formulas the credit reporting agencies use are complicated. Having the old debt drop off may help, but it may not. It takes time and patience and years of borrowing money and paying it back promptly and in full to build or restore good credit.

Do not pay someone to “repair” your credit. Those offers are not legitimate and will only move some more money from your pocket to someone else’s.

However, if you find something in error on your credit report, you can do something about that, and it may help your credit, too.

You begin by notifying both the debt holder and all three credit reporting agencies of the incorrect information. The agencies are then required to show that the debt is in dispute, but it is up to you to straighten out the issue with the company reporting the bad debt.

You can receive a free credit report by going online to annualcreditreport.com. There are many copycat sites; only this site is the legitimate free one. You do have to pay to get your credit score number, but when Sun Spots did so in 2010, it was only $7.95.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I now have a phone number that once belonged to a woman who was placed in collection for bad debts. I’ve had this number for about two-and-a-half years. I tell all who call that I’m not her, I don’t know her nor do I know where she is, but they still keep calling.

Needless to say I’m tired of it and getting very angry. I really don’t want to change my phone number as I’ve just gotten new checks for myself and my trailer park, plus all people who know me have this number now. Is there anything that can be done? — Sharon, sassycat42@live.com

ANSWER: The next time someone calls, ask them what collection agency they are calling from and get its phone number and address. Then write to the agency and tell them to cease and desist with the calls, explaining why.

Then, at the bottom of the page, note that you have sent a copy of your letter to the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates collection agencies.

If those who call refuse to give you the information and you don’t have caller ID, after they hang up dial *69, and you will get their phone number (unless it’s unlisted, of course). Then you can report that number to the Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20580, 202-326-2222, 877-382-4357, www.ftc.gov.

You can file complaints online about the collection agencies (as well as those who violate the Do Not Call registry) at ftc.gov.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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