Applying for a Previously Used CC

[Anonymous]

I'm kind of curious if in this day and age of data overdrive, do credit issuers hold onto data from previous collections past the 7 year mark.  In college, I had an AMEX card that went into collection (for a $42 balance if I remember correctly....)  I paid it off and it's been over 10 years.  The blemish no longer appears on my credit report but will AMEX still have a record of it if I apply for a card today?

[Uborrow-Upay]

AMEX never forgets. They will most definitely still have that record internally.

However, since you did, in fact, pay it off eventually, IMO it shouldn't hurt you with your chances for new credit with them. They even offer secured credit (which later converts to unsecured credit) to folks who didn't pay them off in the past, but are willing to do so now. Search these boards for the AMEX Oasis program.

Good luck, BarnabysMom!

Edited:  not sure I'm phrasing this right... 

"They even offer secured credit (which later converts to unsecured credit)" 

Perhaps someone else here can do better with this... 

Message Edited by Uborrow-Upay on 03-21-2009 08:54 AM