What to do next?

[trc1962]

Been working on my credit for a year and a half. Credit scores exp 615, equifax 558, trans 539. The bad - 1 paid judgement from 2011 for $300 and I can't get it removed in our state. 2 charge offs from 2011 and early 2012 JC Penney $650 and US bank for $1150. 22 collections all but one company paid and reading as paid. The unpaid company has 9 accounts and has refused PFD of any kind. I am afraid to contact them as they are hard to deal with and will sue. I have 2 student loans for $5300 that are current and my son'r car is on my CR for $2800. I have one secured card for $200 that I use judiciously each month. How can I raise my score and what next. I am discouraged.

[Mayn]

Maybe another secured or 2.  Ive read on here that 3 is optimal and of course ive seen ppl say to make sure your CC dont report any more than 9%.  Also are the charged off CC payed off.  That could make your utilization real bad.

[trc1962]

charge offs are not paid off. Would it help me greatly if I did? The concern is they have added horrible fees to the balance, way above what was owed. If it would help I would consider paying, but whenever I pay an account off it kills my credit score, not helps it. Thanks!

[Whitneyy]

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@trc1962 wrote:

charge offs are not paid off. Would it help me greatly if I did? The concern is they have added horrible fees to the balance, way above what was owed. If it would help I would consider paying, but whenever I pay an account off it kills my credit score, not helps it. Thanks!

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It would help because they are still reporting a balance which is counting toward your ulitization. But it would also help MORE if they were deleted after being paid.