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FCRA5 min read

How to spot re-aged debt (and remove it)

The reporting clock runs from the DOFD — not the date the account was sold. If a junk-debt buyer resets that field, they've violated §605.

Re-aged debt is the practice of resetting the date of first delinquency (DOFD) on a report so a debt appears newer than it is. It violates §605(c) and it's more common than the bureaus admit. Here's how to spot it.

The 7-year clock

§605(a) sets a 7-year absolute limit for negative account information (from the DOFD), plus 180 days grace.

The DOFD does not change when an account is sold, transferred, or written off. The clock keeps running from the original date of delinquency.

How to spot a re-age

Compare the DOFD across bureaus. Any variance is a red flag.

Compare the current DOFD to your bank or creditor records. If your last payment was 5 years ago but the DOFD is 2 years ago, that's a re-age.

Junk-debt buyers frequently report their acquisition date as if it were the DOFD. That's a §605 violation.

How to force removal

File a §611 dispute citing the specific DOFD and your evidence.

Simultaneously file a §623(a)(8) furnisher direct dispute so the furnisher has to correct or delete.

If they insist on the re-aged date, escalate via CFPB with the documentation package attached.

Statutes & sources cited

  • FCRA §605(a) — 7-year reporting limit
  • FCRA §605(c) — running of reporting period
  • FCRA §623(a)(5) — duty to correct and update information

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