Date of First Delinquency (DOFD)
The date of first delinquency is the date an account first became late and never recovered. It starts the clock on how long a negative item may report — generally seven years under the FCRA.
Why it matters in credit repair
DOFD accuracy is critical: improper re-aging of this date can keep a negative item on a report longer than the law allows, making it a high-value dispute target.
How it appears on a credit report
It is a Metro 2 reporting field associated with delinquent accounts, charge-offs, and collections, though it is not always displayed prominently to consumers.
Example
A collection agency reports a date of first delinquency two years later than the original creditor's, extending the seven-year reporting window — a potential FCRA violation.
Common misunderstanding
Consumers sometimes believe paying or transferring a debt resets the clock. The DOFD is tied to the original delinquency and should not restart when an account is sold.
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