This from the Score Basics link gets at my question:

DON'T:

1. Close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score. NEVER close an open account unless it is costing you money!

According to a Fair Issac Corp rep, and my step-daughter' s account of something she heard Suze O say, the above means that, all other factors being equal...

Person A:

- One credit card with a limit of $5,000 with a $500 balance, spotless payment history over 18 months.

- A credit report showing five other PAID OFF AND CLOSED accounts, all with a spotless payment hisotry over 36-48 months.

Person B exactly the same, except the five paid off accounts remain open and have a credit limit totaling $7,500 - that is Person B has access to potential debt of $7,500.

Person A will have a lower Credit Score!  Given that Person A has a substantial and spotless credit history and no ready access to additional debt I would think Person A would have a higher socre, but apparently I am wrong.

I'm no rocket surgeon, but can someone explain this counter-intuitive reasoning to me?

PF Flyer