A few questions - Feel free to chime in on any

[sge760]

1. Do student loans count towards the factoring of debt utilization vs credit availability?  I don't know if I worded that right.  What I mean is, once I get all my credit cards under 10% of their limits, will my school loans still be factored in my debt ratio?

2. I am interested in starting a shared secured loan with my credit union, and have been trying to find material about amounts and lengths of time to set it up for.  Does the amount matter?  If I set up a shared secured loan for 500, will that do the same good as if I set up one with $1000, $2500, or $5000?  Also, does the length of time matter?  If I paid it off within 6 months, will it do the same amount of good if I paid it off within 18-24 months?

3. I have 2 collections reported by 2 different companies on my credit report for the same account.  I have called both numbers, and they both lead to the same company (the first of the 2 listed in my report).  I have also contacted the original creditor and they are still willing to accept payment.  My question is if I pay the original creditor, will I be able to dispute  the collection agency and send them a debt validation because they no longer have the account placed with their company? I have removed collections in the past due to collection agencies no longer having the account placed with them.  Or should I try to create a "pay for deletion" deal with the collection agency?  My own hesitation with it is that they are currently reporting it under 2 names, so even if they delete it with one company, they may keep the other company.

[llecs]

1) Installment utilization (e.g. SLs, mortgages, personal loans, car loans, etc.) are scored separate and differently than revolving utilization (e.g. CCs, HELOCs, and LOCs). FICO views revolving utilization at a much higher standard and level than installment loans. With many in here, you can pay off your revolving balances from 90% to 1%, as an example, and see a return of 100 points or more. You can pay down your loans from 90% of the org. balance down to 1% and probably not see any gain.

2) I wouldn't recommend a secured loan. You are paying for the priveledge to use your own money. Plus installment is a tiny part of FICO scoring. You can easily hit 800+++ without a loan (BTW, you already have loans so it won't help at all).

3) You can dispute the extra CA, but I'd start by sending DV letter to both with a mention to both that they are reporting (don't say what they are reporting). One should fall off. The other should verify. Then send a PFD to the correct one.