jmills625

Unfortunately, with the Fair Credit Reporting Act 7 years is the max amount of time for a charge off even if a State says otherwise such as 3 years, etc. The FCRA was the biggest rip off for consumers. In your case (seek legal advice if needed) whenever you pay after the typical 180 days delinquency date you would add 7 years from that date but if you settle or negotiate a payment etc. it will create a refresh on your credit report because it wouldn't become delinquent at that point. Always, always get it in writing from the collector as part of the contract to not report delinquent or derogatory material to the credit bureaus. And you want to keep negotiations with the original creditor because of multiple reporting in most cases. In your case of a Federal Tax Lien (not State) you really don't have much recourse. If it was a State or Local county lien you would have more probable use of your rights.

I have ALLSTATE and they are very good. Steady when others raise rates (i.e. Esurance.com) or are not tolerable if you get in an accident (i.e. Geiko).