My credits are on it's way back up, have had some blemishes in the past, but would like to know how to get rid of all of them.
What's the best way to clean up your credits?
- Thread starter sillymofo
- Start date
StageLeft
No Lifer
- Sep 29, 2000
- 70,150
- 5
- 0
Credit score or credits? I no speaka your language, esse'.
If you have legitimate blemishes on your credit reports (there are three credit companies and each have similar, but not always identical records for each social security number), there is only one way to clear these up: time.
If you have legitimate blemishes on your credit reports (there are three credit companies and each have similar, but not always identical records for each social security number), there is only one way to clear these up: time.
odale hombre, whassapening? (in azn accent)
Of course credit score. But how do you go about to get a report without having to apply for something, get denied and then get the free credit report after that? That's what I've been doing in the past (years ago). I don't know what blemishes would remain, but would like to find out.
Yep as he said......Time.
It won't be a overnight process. It will take anywhere from 2-7 years depending on the sevierity of the blemishes.
You can got to equifax.com and get their 3-1 or if you are cheap then just equifax Credit report for as little as $10.00. You can start off by getting a CC with annual fee or security deposit. You should see imporvement if you are smart in managing those new CC accounts.
StageLeft
No Lifer
- Sep 29, 2000
- 70,150
- 5
- 0
Well, you can go to equifax or transunion, or experian and AFAIK they all have free credit monitoring services for 30 days. Sign up with a credit card and if you cancel within 30 days they don't bill you. Then get your credit that way.
Or go to one of those three bureaus and for about $35-40 you can get a copy of all three credit reports.
Or, something most don't know about - call up equifax and request to have a fraud alert put on your account (it's a note that says possible fraud, and anybody checking your history should call the number provided [your home number] before extending credit - I have this on all three agencies for my SSN), and whenever you get a fraud alert put on that bureau will send you a free credit report. In the case of equifax I believe they will send that fraud alert on to both of the other agencies, and thusly you'll have a credit report from all three at a cost of $0.
Sorry, I mis- read the post.
Time is the only way. You can challenge or add comments to anything listed in your reports. If they are not corroborated, they can be removed.
THEN>>>>>Get a secured card. Don't screw up anymore. Pay the CC bill in full for a year or more. Turn down all other CC offers when they start showing up. Avoid Dept. store Cards like the plague. If you own a home, get a Home Depot or Lowes card for home improvements. Pay the bill of in a timely manner, so the resultant interest doesn't wash the gain in Home value. Then get an Equity line of credit and throw your credit cards into the freezer in big block of ice. That way, you have to work to get the thing out and that will deter impulse purchases.
Time is the only way. You can challenge or add comments to anything listed in your reports. If they are not corroborated, they can be removed.
THEN>>>>>Get a secured card. Don't screw up anymore. Pay the CC bill in full for a year or more. Turn down all other CC offers when they start showing up. Avoid Dept. store Cards like the plague. If you own a home, get a Home Depot or Lowes card for home improvements. Pay the bill of in a timely manner, so the resultant interest doesn't wash the gain in Home value. Then get an Equity line of credit and throw your credit cards into the freezer in big block of ice. That way, you have to work to get the thing out and that will deter impulse purchases.
Go to myfico.com You can get your score there and order copies of any or all of your credit reports. There is a fee but it's worth it IMO.
You say that you've used applying for credit cards and being denied as a way to get free reports. Don't you realize that that just harms your credit rating further? Talk about counterproductive. Bite the bullet and pay the twelve bucks.
Actually, the late bills I think should be erased by now, they were about 6 years ago. Since then I've been good. There were some other collections that should have never been. I.E.
I was involved in a car accident in Cali in 97 (not at fault). I had some neck injuries and went to chiro for treatment, under the premises that I would not pay them if the case is not settled (same was with lawyer fees). I had to go to South Carolina before treatment was over, and I seek help with chiro in SC, under the same premises (lawyers forwarded the case). The guy that hit us turned out didn't have insurance, and my friend's insurance wasn't sufficient, and they won't pay for me. The case was dismissed and neither lawyers or chiros get the money. Or so I thought, the chiro and lawyers in Cali never did anything after, but the chiro in SC did. I never received a bill from them, or any collection notice or anything of the sort after. I found out that they sent me to collection when I apply for credit, and subsequently cleared it up. That took me about 6 months. I know I could have two similar cases on my credit report.
Get a report online, you can have it in minutes. Then you'll know for sure. Then you can send a letter to the credit bureau disputing the errors. Fairly simple process really. Then you just need to keep your nose clean and use what credit you do have carefully.
Vic
Elite Member
- Jun 12, 2001
- 50,422
- 14,337
- 136
http://www.myfico.com
You can order your credit report there, plus learn a great deal about how credit scoring works. Time, timely payments, and proper credit management are the only way to excellent credit.
And contrary to popular belief, inquiries count as only 10% of your score (and it would take a lot of inquiries to harm your score, up to 6 a year won't hurt at all and unlimited inquiries from the same industry in a month's time count as one), while owing more than 50% of your high credit limit on a credit card could reduce your score by as much as 30%.
You can order your credit report there, plus learn a great deal about how credit scoring works. Time, timely payments, and proper credit management are the only way to excellent credit.
And contrary to popular belief, inquiries count as only 10% of your score (and it would take a lot of inquiries to harm your score, up to 6 a year won't hurt at all and unlimited inquiries from the same industry in a month's time count as one), while owing more than 50% of your high credit limit on a credit card could reduce your score by as much as 30%.
alkemyst
No Lifer
- Feb 13, 2001
- 83,769
- 19
- 81
yeah....fuqing collection agencies.
Had a joint apartment, my fiancee took off one day with everything that'd fit in a truck and my dog. Stoopid bish left her ring with a note that I may have fooled everyone else but her dad knows it's a FAKE. sold it quick for $2k it was a EGA certified stone....anyway I am babbling so rather than delete I will move forward.
Anyways the water bill was in her name....I figured that last three months she'd cover it ($15-30 a month or so usually I can't remember exactly other than at the high figure it was over double and the low five times)...
So I move out and 2-3 months later get a letter that $250 in water was not paid and I need to submit a check to the apartment complex.
I call and the lady is pissed about the whole thing...I try to be rational as explain their has to be a mistake....I was mostly not staying there for anything more than a shower and clothes change (my whoring months where'd I wake up and figure out where I was and who I was with and head into work
) plus only my ex-fiancee was on the bill. I get told I am responsible for any bills that effect the apartment. (it was in my lease so I agreed).
Try to call the water company and told that since I am not on the bill they cannot talk to me.
Call back to the manager and explain I have a problem paying a bill that is at least double what it should be and more like 5 times the normal). They told me they just recieve an apartment number and amount they owe the utility.
I offer to work out an even payment....saying they send me the bill they got and I'd pay that....I needed something in writing showing that high amount with the utility name on it.
they said they'd get back with me soon.
nothing....3 months later I get a flaming call (which I picked up on speakerphone in my office with 3 others in it) that started something like 'so you don't paid your DEBTS, your BILLS, are you as casual with your ENTERTAINMENT money, your drinking and partying...'
at first we all laughed, but it got serious and I didn't know where it was going.
So everyone leaves and I talk to the collection lady and explain I never got a bill, only phone calls....I need something in writing. Stupid bish goes on a tangent about if I were dying would I pay or wait for something in writing.
She explains my ex will not answer any calls and therefore I am responsible. I give back an equally absurd scenario that if I didn't answer would she go to the next name in the white pages and tell them since they answered they are responsible.
Finally we agree that if I paid 1/2 it should take care of the debt....she said she'd work it out with the complex and send me an invoice if needed.
Nothing came....about a year later it showed up on my Credit Report.
I am going to contest it and after october I have a few lawsuits being made, mostly due to a former employer of my wife from Japan telling her 10 hour days without a break are normal and if she took a day off two days have to be made up for it
Had a joint apartment, my fiancee took off one day with everything that'd fit in a truck and my dog. Stoopid bish left her ring with a note that I may have fooled everyone else but her dad knows it's a FAKE. sold it quick for $2k it was a EGA certified stone....anyway I am babbling so rather than delete I will move forward.
Anyways the water bill was in her name....I figured that last three months she'd cover it ($15-30 a month or so usually I can't remember exactly other than at the high figure it was over double and the low five times)...
So I move out and 2-3 months later get a letter that $250 in water was not paid and I need to submit a check to the apartment complex.
I call and the lady is pissed about the whole thing...I try to be rational as explain their has to be a mistake....I was mostly not staying there for anything more than a shower and clothes change (my whoring months where'd I wake up and figure out where I was and who I was with and head into work
) plus only my ex-fiancee was on the bill. I get told I am responsible for any bills that effect the apartment. (it was in my lease so I agreed).Try to call the water company and told that since I am not on the bill they cannot talk to me.
Call back to the manager and explain I have a problem paying a bill that is at least double what it should be and more like 5 times the normal). They told me they just recieve an apartment number and amount they owe the utility.
I offer to work out an even payment....saying they send me the bill they got and I'd pay that....I needed something in writing showing that high amount with the utility name on it.
they said they'd get back with me soon.
nothing....3 months later I get a flaming call (which I picked up on speakerphone in my office with 3 others in it) that started something like 'so you don't paid your DEBTS, your BILLS, are you as casual with your ENTERTAINMENT money, your drinking and partying...'
at first we all laughed, but it got serious and I didn't know where it was going.
So everyone leaves and I talk to the collection lady and explain I never got a bill, only phone calls....I need something in writing. Stupid bish goes on a tangent about if I were dying would I pay or wait for something in writing.
She explains my ex will not answer any calls and therefore I am responsible. I give back an equally absurd scenario that if I didn't answer would she go to the next name in the white pages and tell them since they answered they are responsible.
Finally we agree that if I paid 1/2 it should take care of the debt....she said she'd work it out with the complex and send me an invoice if needed.
Nothing came....about a year later it showed up on my Credit Report.
I am going to contest it and after october I have a few lawsuits being made, mostly due to a former employer of my wife from Japan telling her 10 hour days without a break are normal and if she took a day off two days have to be made up for it
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