How long do closed accounts stay on credit reports?

[Contrariety]

I have two accounts that are closed and have been for years, but they are still on my report... shouldn't they be gone by now?

How long does it take for them to be gone? They were always paid and closed while in good standing, but it's just irritating to see them there... stupid CC's I opened as a college student and never even used...

[Denvergirlie]

I don't believe they will ever fall off. They are a part of your credit history.

I have stuff on my credit reports that are from 15+ years ago that have been closed for 13 years.

[kirstenb]

I believe it's seven years from the last time there was activity.

[Contrariety]

Argh. The internets give me opposing information. Some say indefinitely, some say seven years. Boo. Guess I'll have to wait and see?

[kasey08]

I was just looking at my report - A card I closed last year says "This account will continue to appear on your report until 2017".. So 10 years, for that one atleast. I'm so glad they eventually go away.

[kirstenb]

Here's some info I found online:

Generally, all your credit history information, good or bad, remains on your report for seven years. If you file for personal bankruptcy, that fact remains on your credit report for 10 years.

http://www.frbsf.org/publications/co...t.html#howlong

[IncaMama]

it depends on the creditor i think...but generally 7-10 years. the annoying thing about closed accounts is that if there are any delinquent payments on it even 9 years ago, it'll stay on there right up front. if it had been open, they typically only report the last 2 years of delinquent payments and the other ones fall away from the snapshot view. kwim?

so if anybody has any late payments on any accounts, keep them open!!