Credit Agencies Stop Reporting Unpaid Tickets

Local governments and counties will no longer be able to use credit reports as a tool to collect tickets and fines. Cities and counties normally refer traffic tickets and government fines to collection agencies, which in turn report the debt to credit reporting agencies. Beginning in September 2016, credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Trans Union and Experian will no longer report debt that “did not arise from any contract or agreement to pay,” such as traffic tickets and government fines. As of September of 2016, credit reporting agencies will no longer report medical debt unless the medical debt is delinquent by at least 180 days. This will allow time for processing of insurance claims.  Also, credit reporting agencies have to remove medical debt if a creditor, collection agency or debt buyer reports it as paid in full, or if an insurance company is paying the debt. Source:  National Consumer Assistance Plan Highlights (Xerox, 3/1/2016)