do inquiries re-age negative items?

[Anonymous]

My score is 754, and I notice that I have 4 30 day lates that are about 4 years old. I am not sure they are all correct, but I worry about asking about them because I do not want them to suddenly show as 'active' when the accounts have long gone--thereby having to wait 7 years for them to fall off (when now they have just a few to go). Should I let them drop off or should I ask about them--and how do I do it without causing myself more grief? Tracy

[Anonymous]

Considering that you have a real good rating, I would let them lie.  Should you decide to make a big purchase, i.e., real estate, and those late payments come into play, then worry about it.  Having 30 day lates, IMO, wouldn't be a red flag. 

Don't worry about them, and leave it be.

[yoreljm]

yeah, I dont think a few late payments a few years ago is a big deal (as reflected by your high score). It is funny, however, how the credit bureaus make us feel like we are walking on eggshells, afraid to do anything because it may throw off the equilibrium.