I've heard that, in the state of California, after 7 years a debt on your credit report will automatically be removed. Is this true? If so, what conditions must be met? When I was younger, I used my first bank account to overdraw by about $400. It's been 6 years since then and with interest and all that good stuff it's now over $1,000. The bank has passed it off to a collection agency. Do I have to pay this debt or can I wait out the remaining time and have it removed automatically?