Is there any way to find out all the credit cards one has open...?

[Asparagus]

Score is about 760, but I'd like to get it even better... I suspect one of the things that's hurting me is all the open credit...

Over the years I've racked up a lot of cards and I'd liek to pare things down... Is there a way to get a list of all my open cards?

 

[Baked]

Call the 3 major credit companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and have them send you your credit report. All the CC you've ever owned/used are listed on the reports.

 

[Metron]

The FTC gives you one free credit report from all 3 agencies here...AnnualCreditReport.com... other sites are scams.

*edit* fixed link

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Baked
Call the 3 major credit companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and have them send you your credit report. All the CC you've ever owned/used are listed on the reports.

Are you sure about that? I thought that old, derelict cards fell off your report?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: Baked
Call the 3 major credit companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and have them send you your credit report. All the CC you've ever owned/used are listed on the reports.

Are you sure about that? I thought that old, derelict cards fell off your report?

7 Years after the account is closed. He may have open cards that he is not using, but the account is not closed.

 

[wfn]

don't close your credit cards if you have 0 balance on them

Just take them out of your wallet and keep them in your desk or something. if you cancel them it'll actually lower your score by a few points. just dont use them at all or keep your use under 50% credit line and you'll be golden. Available unused credit lines look very good to creditors.

If you're applying for a mortgage or a carloan, the creditor does not go by your score alone. The length of your credit history as well as what your largest credit lines have been so far and how well you were able to perform goes into consideration along with your income/debt ratios.

Bottom line for handling CCs:

1) try not to open/apply for too many (you'll have a lot of enquiries on your report)
2) use the ones with the lowest interest but try your best to keep under 50% of credit line
3) don't close any 0 balance cards

 

[zephyrprime]

My credit report said I should get more credit to improve my score! Too many and too few cards can hurt you.

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: wfn
don't close your credit cards if you have 0 balance on them

Just take them out of your wallet and keep them in your desk or something. if you cancel them it'll actually lower your score by a few points. just dont use them at all or keep your use under 50% credit line and you'll be golden. Available unused credit lines look very good to creditors.

If you're applying for a mortgage or a carloan, the creditor does not go by your score alone. The length of your credit history as well as what your largest credit lines have been so far and how well you were able to perform goes into consideration along with your income/debt ratios.

Bottom line for handling CCs:

1) try not to open/apply for too many (you'll have a lot of enquiries on your report)
2) use the ones with the lowest interest but try your best to keep under 50% of credit line
3) don't close any 0 balance cards

what? close a credit card with balance on it? that doesn't make sense.

 

[wfn]

i said 0 balance on them. 0 as in no balance.

but beleive it or not you can also close a card with balance. you just cant put any new charges on it, everything else stays the same.

 

[spacejamz]

The lack of credit knowledge in this country (and even here in this forum) is frightening...it is no wonder that many people are in the shape they are in because they don't understand the credit scoring system (outside of the fact that paying your bills late = bad/lower score)....

It is especially saddenning given the role that this score plays in your everyday life and how many extra thousands of dollars you will pay interest on your home and car loans.

It would seem that the OP has never seen a copy of their credit report before.

/steps off soapbox....

 

[wfn]

spacejamz,

well, he's trying to learn isn't he? instead or in addition to a social commentary you could've offered a bit of much needed advice.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: Asparagus
Score is about 760, but I'd like to get it even better... I suspect one of the things that's hurting me is all the open credit...

Over the years I've racked up a lot of cards and I'd liek to pare things down... Is there a way to get a list of all my open cards?

With a score of 760, nothing is "hurting" you. And especially not having open credit.
If you want to close some accounts, go ahead, but don't expect it to increase your score.

 

[SoulAssassin]

don't do anything...probably the only thing that will increase your score is time.