NBC News: Life in the 300s

[NBCNewsBill]

Hi there, 

For an upcoming story at NBC News.com, we're seeking to interview someone with a FICO score in or near the 300s. The tone of the web story is this: Millions of Americans survive just fine, thank you, with a FICO score below 400. Sure, they're probably working to address it. But what they're not doing is losing sleep over their number or letting it ruin their days. In short, we're looking to interview someone with a low-low number who embodies the sentiment: "I am not my credit score!"

If you are interested in commenting for this article, I am hoping to do the phone interview this week about both your steadfast philosophy as well as about how you navigate life with that number. 

Thanks!

[Mike_C]

For those curious, Bill has indeed gotten into contact with the PR at myFICO and we understand the potential of him trying to interview someone from these forums. I recommend you PM him if you do not want to discuss a 300-range score openly in the forums.

[Shogun]

Thanks for coming by the forums Bill, hopefully you will find what you're looking for.  I'm also hoping that anyone that does qualify for your story will get busy with us and no longer fit into this category.

Coming from the 500s myself, I found difficulty with my finances.  I was mostly living on a cash basis.  I was able to get a couple of car loans at a ridiculous rate, but otherwise, no credit for several years.  With the help of the myFICO family, those days are behind me.  Now I realize it's not about just "Credit", it's about financial education and security.  

[NBCNewsBill]

Thank you. I'm so glad to read you've increased that score. 

So far, my reporting (not via this forum) has turned up two people who have substantially elevated their scores, one from the 300s, another from the 500s following bankruptcy. For the article, I'd like to speak to someone who is beginning that journey. Still looking.

Appreciate the comment. 

- Bill 

[Shogun]

I'm going to move this post to one of our other boards.  I feel that it will get buried in here, so I'll give it an opportunity and a bump in our Rebuilding Your Credit threads.  Best of luck to you!

[NBCNewsBill]

Thanks for being so helpful in my quest to speak to someone for this article. -- Bill 

[Duncanrr]

In late May/early June of 2012 I began my credit rebuild from scores below 540.  I often thought that I was more than my credit score but its amazing how many things are influenced by it once you know where to look.  Scores that low mean you typically dont have credit cards (which I did not at the time).  This creates problems with travel and securing hotel/car rentals.  Not to mention the problems that you have with higher insurance rates, job expense reimbursement issues, difficulty renting apartments (probably the biggest pain people have with really low scores), inability to get car/home loans, etc.

I do wish you the best with your story but I hope it doesnt end up conveying the message that credit scores dont matter.  I thought they didnt when I was sub 540's....I was wrong.  Its not a measure of a person but it does have lasting impacts on your future if you continue to ignore it.

[NBCNewsBill]

Thank you for the input.

No, the story won't carry the tone that scores don't matter. Quite the contrary - as one credit counselor told me - they matter more post-recession: beyond purchasing and rental ability to auto insurance rates and, in some cases, employment. I will hit that point yet also allow a consumer or two to talk about the purposeful psychology of not allowing their numbers to define them or to drastically sway their overall mood or optimism - quite a challenge when scores do mean a great deal. 

For now, I'm seeking someone who is currently working with a low-low number and who is willing to share that viewpoint (if they have it) with our readers. 

Bill 

[Duncanrr]

Not sure of your deadline, but if you monitor this site for any period of time you will find someone in that boat.  Many of us here were at that point in our credit journey.

[NBCNewsBill]

Good idea.

Don't want to overstep solicitation rules here. Is it acceptable to reach out to someone who is in that camp to ask if they would want to speak to me, a journalist?