Do Charge Offs STAY on a Credit Report?

The best way to represent yourself in regards to your credit reports and scores is by paying off balances in full. This is what lenders want to see. If you have had delinquencies in the past in regards to your credit and you have been paying items off, this will reflect very well on you when you need the assistance of a creditor or lender for items such as a mortgage.
In regards to charge offs, it will usually reflect more negatively on a credit report, of course. There are ways it can be improved on your credit report through either waiting it out…at least 7 years…or you can work out a deal with a creditor where you will pay off amounts that have been charged off in order to help restore your credit rating. Situations such as these can get complicated and it is a better idea to actually contact a creditor for such information as to what they are willing to do for you and your unique situation. You may be very surprised at how willing some creditors are willing to work with you and help you out in regards to your credit.