Under FCRA, bankruptcy stays on a credit report for how long, and most derogatory items stay for how long?

• A. Bankruptcy - 10 years; Most derogatory items - 7 years
• B. Bankruptcy - 5 years; Most derogatory items - 3 years
• C. Bankruptcy - 15 years; Most derogatory items - 10 years
• D. Indefinite for both

Answer: (A)

FCRA sets time limits on how long adverse information can stay on a credit report. Bankruptcy is treated as especially persistent, so it can appear for a full decade. Most other derogatory items—like late payments, collections, and charge-offs—are limited to seven years from the date the delinquency began that led to the item. This combination—ten years for bankruptcy and seven years for most derogatories—best matches the standard rules, making the option that pairs ten years with bankruptcy and seven years with most derogatory items the correct one.