 TITLE: How Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report? CONTENT: Improving Your Credit When You Have Accounts in Collections\n-----------------------------------------------------------\nIn addition to paying off collection accounts, you can take a variety of actions to improve your credit scores while there are collections in your credit history.\nFor example, if you have open credit cards or loans, make all payments on time going forward. Payment history has the biggest effect on your credit scores, so making at least your minimum payments on time every month will help. If you don't have any open accounts, you may want to take out a secured card or credit-builder loan to start building a positive credit history.\nYou can also work to lower your utilization rate—an important scoring factor—by paying down credit card balances or consolidating credit card debt with a personal loan.\nHaving a long history of on-time payments and low debt relative to your available credit limits can help improve your credit over time. END