Advice on bumping credit score

[susanto2826]

HI

  Just need some quick advice on bumping my score from 686 and beyond.

I have one collection I did not know about by checking my credit score when I was in NC for a while

I am going to call them today to pay it off (first I am going to ask what it is) because I don't even know

what happened there.

Second I have a collection from a dispute that I had with Tmobile and have it payed off removed.

Will this help my score?

I don't have any CC's only an AAFES account with the military star card.

What else can I do to increase my score or some things that I can do to help out my score.

Much thanks guys

[llecs]

Welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest reading the following:

Common Abbreviations

Credit Scoring 101 - great for knowing what is in your credit score and to see how your score is impacted.

What Steps Do I Take - great for learning the repair process.

and Example letters - PFDs, GWs, DVs, etc.

Before paying the collection, negotiate a PFD. Paying a collection will never improve your FICO score. Per FICO, it doesn't matter if the balance is $0, or $10,000, the damage is equal. I personally would send a DV prior to the PFD.

If T-Mobile was reporting as a CO and was removed, then it could possibly help.

If you only have one revolving account, you might benefit from a 2nd. 

[Jaxavier]

If you have family members or trusted friends that would add you as an authorized user to one or more of their accounts that have a long solid payment history, that too can help bump up your scores. 

[myjourney]

Follow llec advice and work on getting the collection taken care of while your doing that your scores will probably increase anyway if you have not applied for any new credit and any INQ's you have are aging.

Good luck and welcome to the forum 

[Shogun]

Agreed.  For your scores to go up your CR will have to grow.  Think of it like breathing, in with the good, out with the bad.  Try and get the bad removed and replace that with good positive accounts.

Let us know any particular situations we can help with.

[09Lexie]

I agree with the others regarding the CA and COs. I notice you have an AAFES account; have you thought about joining NFCU?

[susanto2826]

all sounds like great advice I'll get to work.

One more thing I have an 87.oo collection from allied interstate I'm sure you guys know who thety are

I can't get a hold of the columbus Oh location to pay this off...it's the first time I hear of this collection Iguess

it's from when I was down in the valley from Direct energy should I dispute it?  I don't mind paying it off but I can't because

direct energy said it has been gtiven to allied?  If I dispute it do I need to buy in to one of the 3 credit bureaus?

[Shogun]

No need to buy anything from the CRAs.  Have you done a search of the company for maybe some other contact addresses?  A PFD with them would be your best route.