How Do Public Records Impact Your Credit Score?

You may already know that your credit score fluctuates based on various types of financial information. If you have different types of credit accounts, make payments on time and in full, and otherwise manage your credit responsibly, then you are likely to have a good credit score. Certain public records, credit card debt, unpaid accounts, and similar financial issues can lower your credit score. Unfortunately, adverse actions taken against you will remain on your credit reports for a set period of time. However, this does not mean that you do not have any means of improving your credit score. Credit reporting rights for residents of Fairfax include the right to contact a credit lawyer to file a credit report dispute. Advise your credit lawyer if you identify erroneous information on your reports.

Tax Liens

If you owe federal or state taxes, these debts will not appear on your credit report and will not affect your credit score. By deciding to pay off these debts-such as with an installment payment plan-you can avoid further problems. However, if you do not make arrangements to pay the taxes you owe, the IRS may issue a tax lien against you. Tax liens are a matter of public record and they will appear on credit reports. Some credit reporting agencies will remove unpaid tax liens from your credit report after 15 years from the filing date. Even if you pay the debt and the tax lien is released, it will remain in your records for seven years.

Civil Judgments

If your credit reports wrongfully reflect a civil judgment, it is time to visit a law firm specializing in inaccurate credit reports in Fairfax. Civil judgments include judgments from small claims court. For example, if you have unpaid rent and your landlord sues you, the court may issue a judgment against you for the amount you owe. A civil judgment will remain on your credit reports for seven years from the date of entry. You cannot remove it sooner by paying it off sooner unless of course, the information is inaccurate, and you dispute it successfully.

Bankruptcies

Bankruptcy will significantly affect credit scores. Although you can begin restoring your credit score after your bankruptcy discharge, it will remain on your credit history for years. Bankruptcy information is removed 10 years from the date of entry of the order of relief.