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Well, I have a long history of bad credit, beginning with the first credit card I was issued in college (20 years ago). That was actually the first and only credit card I've ever had (besides Visa debit cards). I know some folks have credit problems due to living beyond their means, but my situation was more due to lack of money management skills and desperation. Not trying to make excuses, I accept full responsibility for my credit history, but I wasn't taking trips to the Bahamas, I was buying groceries and diapers. Anyhow, a few years back, I went completely 'off the grid' financially. I turned in my car (making it a voluntary repo), my bank accounts were closed due to my mismanagement. For the last 4-5 years I have lived without credit cards, bank accounts, auto loans, etc. All of our bills have been in my boyfriend's name. In a way this has been a blessing, because I have learned to live without relying on credit. I have pretty much never really cared about my credit, because I thought it was impossible for *me* to ever have good credit. Seven years seemed like an eternity and I just never imagined life without horrible credit.
Well, last year I was able to qualify for a T Mobile cell phone, which I had never been able to do before. I figured maybe my credit was starting to improve, but didn't necessarily try to apply for anything else. In January, I randomly applied online for an auto loan, and never heard from the dealership so I assumed my credit was still bad and didn't pursue it. Then a few weeks ago we were thinking about switching from Comcast to Uverse. I was tod that I qualify, but that I needed a credit card. Since I don't have one, we applied in my boyfriend's name (he has a prepaid Visa), and were told he would require a $450 deposit. I figured maybe my credit really was improving. Last week I was researching hotels to take the kids on a weekend trip and use some of my hotel points, and an offer for a hotel credit card popped up. I figured what the hell, apply. Well I immediately got a message that my application would require 'further analysis' or something like that, so I naturally assumed I was denied.
The very next day after I applied for that card, I found myself with no functioning car. Over the last week, I've been car shopping at a few different dealers. They seemed to all say that I have 'no credit', but I was still approved, but with a horrendous interest rate and about $2000 down. This is actually still better than what I expected. So looks like I'll ending having to take one of these auto loans, though not ideal I need a car. But I would like to refinance as soon as I can (assuming I've made my payments on time, and that my credit has improved).
Forgot to mention that I stupidly disputed everything on my CR back in 01/2010. It caused a couple of items to drop off, but the others have a more recent verification date.
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Credit Items
For your protection, the last few digits of your account numbers do not display.
GRANT MERCANTILE AGENCY
Address:
49099 ROAD 426
OAKHURST, CA 93644
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Original Creditor:
EYE-Q VISION CARE
Address Identification Number:
0188621141
Status: Collection account.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jun 2013.
This item was verified and updated on Jan 2010.
Date Opened:
05/2007
Reported Since:
05/2010
Date of Status:
05/2010
Last Reported:
05/2010
Type:
Collection
Terms:
1 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$148
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
$148 as of 05/2010
Recent Payment:
$0
Account History:
Collection as of May 2010
GRANT MERCANTILE AGENCY
Address:
49099 ROAD 426
OAKHURST, CA 93644
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Original Creditor:
EYE-Q VISION CARE
Address Identification Number:
0188621141
Status: Collection account.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jun 2013.
Date Opened:
06/2007
Reported Since:
05/2010
Date of Status:
05/2010
Last Reported:
05/2010
Type:
Collection
Terms:
1 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$135
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
$135 as of 05/2010
Recent Payment:
$0
Account History:
Collection as of May 2010
GRANT MERCANTILE AGENCY
Address:
49099 ROAD 426
OAKHURST, CA 93644
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Original Creditor:
EYE-Q VISION CARE
Address Identification Number:
0188621141
Status: Collection account.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jun 2013.
This item was verified and updated on Jan 2010.
Date Opened:
04/2007
Reported Since:
06/2010
Date of Status:
06/2010
Last Reported:
06/2010
Type:
Collection
Terms:
1 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$110
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
$110 as of 06/2010
Recent Payment:
$0
Your Statement:
Account information disputed by consumer (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act).
Account History:
Collection as of Jun 2010
RJM ACQ LLC
Address:
575 UNDERHILL BLVD STE 224
SYOSSET, NY 11791
(800) 650-8784
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Original Creditor:
WASHINGTON MUTUAL CHECKING ACC
Address Identification Number:
0188627261
Status: Collection account. $692 past due as of Jul 2010.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Nov 2011.
This item was verified and updated on Jan 2010.
Date Opened:
09/2007
Reported Since:
10/2007
Date of Status:
10/2007
Last Reported:
07/2010
Type:
Installment
Terms:
1 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$692
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
$692 as of 07/2010
Recent Payment:
$0
Your Statement:
Account information disputed by consumer (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act).
Account History:
Collection as of Jul 2010, May 2010, Mar 2010, Jan 2008 to Feb 2010, Oct 2007
Balance History:
05/2010 $692
05/2010 $692
03/2010 $692
02/2010 $692
01/2010 $692
12/2009 $692
10/2009 $692
09/2009 $692
08/2009 $692
07/2009 $692
05/2009 $692
05/2009 $692
04/2009 $692
02/2009 $692
02/2009 $692
01/2009 $692
11/2008 $692
11/2008 $692
10/2008 $692
08/2008 $692
08/2008 $692
The original amount of this account was $692
Accounts in Good Standing back to top
These items may stay on your credit report for as long as they are open. Once an account is closed or paid off it may continue to appear on your report for up to ten year.
BALLY TOTAL FITNESS
Address:
12440 E IMPERIAL HWY # 300
NORWALK, CA 90650
(566) 402-2559
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Address Identification Number:
0188627261
Status: Paid,Closed/Never late.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until May 2016.
Date Opened:
06/2003
Reported Since:
07/2003
Date of Status:
05/2006
Last Reported:
05/2006
Type:
Installment
Terms:
36 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$1,082
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
NA
Recent Payment:
NA
Creditor's Statement: Account closed at credit grantor's request.
CMPPTNRS/UC SANTA CRUZ
Address:
PO BOX 3176
WINSTON SALEM, NC 27102
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address Identification Number:
0188690726
Status: Paid,Closed/Never late.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Nov 2014.
Date Opened:
04/1992
Reported Since:
11/2004
Date of Status:
11/2004
Last Reported:
11/2004
Type:
Installment
Terms:
120 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$1,833
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
NA
Recent Payment:
NA
CMPPTNRS/UC SANTA CRUZ
Address:
PO BOX 3176
WINSTON SALEM, NC 27102
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address Identification Number:
0188690726
Status: Transferred,closed.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jul 2014.
Date Opened:
07/1990
Reported Since:
02/2003
Date of Status:
07/2004
Last Reported:
07/2004
Type:
Installment
Terms:
72 Months
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$1,833
High Balance:
NA
Recent Balance:
NA
Recent Payment:
NA
Creditor's Statement: Account closed due to transfer.
THE GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNIO
Address:
PO BOX 279740
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
No phone number available
Account Number:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address Identification Number:
0188484839
Status: Paid,Closed/Never late.
Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Apr 2015.
Date Opened:
01/2002
Reported Since:
02/2002
Date of Status:
04/2005
Last Reported:
04/2005
Type:
Revolving
Terms:
NA
Monthly Payment:
$0
Responsibility:
Individual
Credit Limit/Original Amount:
$250
High Balance:
$329
Recent Balance:
NA
Recent Payment:
NA
Your Statement:
Account closed at consumer's request.
All of the potentially negative items are definitely mine, I could potentially PIF 3 of them (the eye doctor one). It would be difficult to PIF the WaMu, however I don't think the date of this one is correct. The removal date (11/2011) looks about right, as I think this account was from 2004 or 2005, so not sure why it shows acct. starting in 2007.
A couple of the accounts in good standing look wrong as well, so I'm not sure what to do since these appear to be helping! I don't think I've ever had an account at Bally's, nor at Golden 1 Credit Union. The UC Santa Cruz items would be from a student loan from 1990-1991, so I have no idea why these are still on there. I also have a few inquiries, mainly from the car dealers but a few others.
So, my question to the experts is, what should I do? If I can come up with the cash I will take one of the cars ASAP, otherwise I'll be wasting money on a rental, but if I can't come up with the cash I'll have to wait 2 weeks until I get paid again. I'm guessing I shouldn't mess with my CR until I'm in possession of a car, but I'm not sure.
I really, really want to take care of my credit from here on out. I have a great job (been here 14 years) with a good income, and I feel like I am financially in a position that I can actually do it. In the past I've had credit, but less income. For the last few years, I've had good income, but no credit. I'd love to know what it's like to have both a good income and decent credit. Because I've been living paycheck to paycheck for so long, I think I can actually do it this time.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all of the info. you guys provide.
Are those three items the same thing? I.E., is there a reason to believe you had 3 separate items with Eye Q Vision care?
Also, good news: it seems that RJM Acquisitions is a pretty friendly CA. Search this board for info, I don't have it handy.
Repair first, then rebuild. And opt out - optoutprescreen.com
Check out the stickies at the top of the board.
If you haven't already, pull your free annual reports directly from the CRAs at www.annualcreditreport.com, they will have the most info.
You can try a PFD with that CA for the Eye Q Vision Care items - if you do, I'd DV first to clear up if all of those accounts are real. You can also opt for the HIPAA process, which you would have to google, and would involve NOT talking to the CA.
Thank you, Mauve, I will look into that. I think those truly are 3 separate items, bounced checks probably (my glasses, my son's glasses, and a contact lens exam, IIRC).
It's worth a try to call the OC and ask them if you can pay them and have them recall the debt from the CA. That's the fastest way to get this deleted if it works.
Hmmm, another dealer told me I have no score, but 4 negative items. I also got a letter from RJM Acquisitions offering to pay it off for $207. If I were to take the offer, how much would it help, and how long would it take to update my CR?
Thanks again for all your help.
@Anonymous wrote:Hmmm, another dealer told me I have no score, but 4 negative items. I also got a letter from RJM Acquisitions offering to pay it off for $207. If I were to take the offer, how much would it help, and how long would it take to update my CR?
Thanks again for all your help.
Taking a settlement will not help your score. It also looks bad to other creditors.
To improve your score it really needs to be removed. You could offer a bit more and ask them to delete the account. If they say no, keep after them.
Is this debt out of SOL?