Help on next steps in rebuilding credit

[kimbia]

Hello everyone,

I have learned a lot here over the past few weeks, and I think this website is fantastic.

I've been working to rebuild my credit for a little over a year now. My EQ score is 709 and TU is 643. I want to apply for a credit card with benefits, such as Chase Freedom or AmEx Blue Cash Rewards, but I'm not sure if I'd be approved based on history of missed payments. I would appreciate your thoughts, as well as any other advice on increasing my score. FYI, my utilization is usually 10-30%, and I don't have any charge-offs, collections, bankruptcies, or tax liens. My AAoA is only 3 years. Inquiries are minimal and past 1 yr mark.

Here is my history of deliquencies and late payments:

GE Care Credit - closed:

Both EQ and TU - 1 x 30-day (Sept 2010)

BoA Credit Card - closed:

EQ - 5 x 30 days (October 2010, Jul 2008, other three not listed in report); 4 x 90 days (Jan 2008, other three not listed in report);

TU - 1 x 30 days (Oct 2010), 1 x 90 days (Nov 2007)

Capital One Credit Card - closed:

EQ - 1 x 30 days (Aug 2009);

TU - 3 x 30 days (Oct 2010, Jul 2010, Aug 2009), 1 x 60 days (Nov 2010). TU also says account closed in Jan 2010, but last activity reported in Aug 2011?

Two student loans (since closed and refinanced):

Both EQ and TU report 1 x 60 days (Feb 2011), 6 x 90 days+ (Aug 2011, Jul 2011, Jun 2011, May 2011, April 2011, March 2011)

I am disputing the Current Account Status on both EQ and TU, as the account was closed due to refinance but is still reporting 120+ days past due (last activity Sept 2011)

Two more student loans (since closed and refinanced):

Both EQ and TU report 1 x 60 days (May 2011), 2 x 90+ days (Jul 2011, Jun 2011)

Now, here is my current credit:

Revolving:

Capital One Platinum: Credit Steps opened in Nov 2011, no late payments, current CL $750. However, there is no recent payment history listed on my EQ credit report. Should I be concerned? Recent payment history shows up on TU though.

Wells Fargo Platinum: $300 secured opened Oct 2011, graduated to unsecured and $500 CL in Dec 2012. No late payments, but same issue with recent payment history not showing up on EQ credit report.

Macy's: $100CL, opened Mar 2009 but not used since Sept 2009. CL was $300 at one point, but decreased due to inactivity. Same issue as above with recent payment history not showing up on EQ credit report.

Installment:

CarMax Finance: Financed $18.5K in April 2011 at 10.95%. All payments on time, and balance is now down around $13K.

Student Loans: In deferment since consolidating in Sept 2011. You don't want to know what the balance is...

[kimbia]

Does anyone have any input?

[MovingForward_2012]

You can try for the Chase Freedom as I think you will have a better chance than with AMEX. But it is likely you may get denied or require further review. What is your credit score?

If you are not initially approved, before you hang up with the CSR, you need to ask for the number to the loan department. They will tell you if you were denied or approved if initially they said your request requires further review. If you are denied, ask the loan officer for a recon. If denied again, you are most likely denied. A few have had success by calling a second time for a second recon.

You might want to post this also on the credit card thread to get more responses.

[MovingForward_2012]

Never mind. Just saw your scores. Try for the Freedom and let us know how it goes.