topic Re: I Just Started My Journey in Credit Cards

I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:16:03 GMT

Hello!
I'm on the road to stellar credit. I have no recent credit history. I had some major financial disasters about 10 years ago, and now I'm at square one. I did find out that I have a couple of negative items on my credit report that aren't mine - different social security and different residence. I found that out accidentally, by talking to a loan officer at my credit union today.

I just got two Mastercards - a Capital One ($200 limit with $49 deposit) and an unsecured Orchard Bank Platinum ($300 limit). I called my credit union to get info as to why I hadn't received my quarterly credit report, and I was asked what I was looking to do with the info. It was suggested that I apply for a Visa and I was transferred to a loan officer, who pulled a report and found the three negatives (not huge amounts), with a different SS#, that don't belong to me. She's sending the dispute letters to me, and I'll forward them to Experian. She asked for my W-2, last two paystubs and verification of my SS#. I think I might have a serious chance of getting approved. She was interested in pursuing it, when I suggested that I not even bother. I got a $500 quick loan from them a few years ago, and it was paid back on time, in full. But they wouldn't give me a Visa, so I wasn't thinking about trying to get a credit card from them. I'm happy to get the two Mastercards, so I'm good either way.

However, I went in with a very humble attitude. I didn't act like they owed my anything, nor did I show any irritation with having to submit additional information. I'm going to garden the two (or three, if I get the credit union Visa) Mastercards for about a year and a half, with no new credit apps, and I hope to graduate to a prime card. I want a Chase...something.

Well, that's it. I just wanted to check in, and I didn't see an intro thread.

Thanks for reading!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

jamesdwi — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:24:44 GMT

@CreditCardDiva wrote:
Hello!
I'm on the road to stellar credit. I have no recent credit history. I had some major financial disasters about 10 years ago, and now I'm at square one. I did find out that I have a couple of negative items on my credit report that aren't mine - different social security and different residence. I found that out accidentally, by talking to a loan officer at my credit union today.

I just got two Mastercards - a Capital One ($200 limit with $49 deposit) and an unsecured Orchard Bank Platinum ($300 limit). I called my credit union to get info as to why I hadn't received my quarterly credit report, and I was asked what I was looking to do with the info. It was suggested that I apply for a Visa and I was transferred to a loan officer, who pulled a report and found the three negatives (not huge amounts), with a different SS#, that don't belong to me. She's sending the dispute letters to me, and I'll forward them to Experian. She asked for my W-2, last two paystubs and verification of my SS#. I think I might have a serious chance of getting approved. She was interested in pursuing it, when I suggested that I not even bother. I got a $500 quick loan from them a few years ago, and it was paid back on time, in full. But they wouldn't give me a Visa, so I wasn't thinking about trying to get a credit card from them. I'm happy to get the two Mastercards, so I'm good either way.

However, I went in with a very humble attitude. I didn't act like they owed my anything, nor did I show any irritation with having to submit additional information. I'm going to garden the two (or three, if I get the credit union Visa) Mastercards for about a year and a half, with no new credit apps, and I hope to graduate to a prime card. I want a Chase...something.

Well, that's it. I just wanted to check in, and I didn't see an intro thread.
Thanks for reading!

Welcome to the forums

play your cards right (pun intended ), and you will have prime cards in a year or so.

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:30:56 GMT

Welcome! This forum is great to help to get you to your first prime, I started with a cap one secured and one year later (right now) I have a discover and Amex! Because of this forum helping me! Remember to pay on time and keep watch of your score and utilization good luck on your way to building credit!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:43:36 GMT

Thanks for the welcome, and the encouragement!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

halos24 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:45:33 GMT

Welcome and these forums have helped me like you would not believe! It is so helpful to have this forum, and you will see be patient and great things will happen .

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:14:14 GMT

Hello, and welcome to the forums!

There are many of us here who have been where you are. You've come to a place where you'll find yourself among friends. In additon, you'll also be able to find tons and tons of informative and helpful information. If you have any questions, you can search the forums to see if anyone has already asked something similar. If not, then you are always welcome to post a new thread with your question. And, you'll find lots of support and encouragement as you continue on your journey. Best wishes, and I look forward to seeing you around here again in the future!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:39:17 GMT

welcome I started my journey in jan 2012.. you can somewhat track my progress in my sig.... hoping to join you at the top of the credit mountain as well

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:52:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
welcome I started my journey in jan 2012.. you can somewhat track my progress in my sig.... hoping to join you at the top of the credit mountain as well :)

Let's press towards the mark!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

stevehbold — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:26:35 GMT

I came here last July or so with the same goals as yourself. I was totally irresponsible with my credit when I was younger. I started with a Capitol one unsecured 300cl and a orchard 320cl. Recently I was just approved for a discover more card 1700cl and a Barclays apple 2000cl. Just wanted to let you know it is possible probably quicker then you think. Just pay your bills on time and keep your utilization low , youll be headed to primeville in no time. Welcome to the forum!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:03:54 GMT

Well, My credit union decided to be very kind. They approved me for a Visa, with a $500 limit. I'm truly appreciative...I wasn't expecting to get it. I have a judgement on Experian, that doesn't belong to me...it's for someone in NY, and there's a MA address that isn't mine. I also have another SS# showing up on my credit report. My Experian report is just real crunchy, and I'm not sure how that happened. I don't usually monitor my reports, but from now on it'll be a different story.

My credit union only required that I submit my W-2, my two most recent paystubs and a copy of my SS card. They've sent out completed dispute letters for me to forward to Experian. I didn't have to jump thru any hoops. They've pretty much guaranteed that I'll be with them, till the end of time. I'm a sucker for good customer service. I doubt I would have gotten treated the same by one of the big banks.

Credit Union Visa - $500
Capital One Secured MC - $200
Orchard Bank Platinum MC - $300

So, I'm good for the next year and a half.

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:22:05 GMT

Hi and welcome! Sounds like you are off to a great start and you have a kind loan officer to assist you. Everyone on this forum is incredibly kind, respectful and knowledgeable. Before you know it, you will be at your goal, so good luck!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Repo-ed — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:24:59 GMT

I'm reluctant to go to my CU and ask for a Visa.

They offered me an unsecured personal loan the day I walked into their branch a year ago, using copies of my CR that I brought in myself. I just put the money into a savings acct I opened there with $5 and they just auto-drafted the monlty pmt until it was paid-off. Seeing how much my FICO for EQ went down just app'ing my 2 recent cards, I don't want to app for a CU visa and take another hit.

But I hope to be in better shape this time next year, much like you. Best of luck

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:35:38 GMT

@Repo-ed wrote:
I'm reluctant to go to my CU and ask for a Visa.

They offered me an unsecured personal loan the day I walked into their branch a year ago, using copies of my CR that I brought in myself. I just put the money into a savings acct I opened there with $5 and they just auto-drafted the monlty pmt until it was paid-off. Seeing how much my FICO for EQ went down just app'ing my 2 recent cards, I don't want to app for a CU visa and take another hit.

But I hope to be in better shape this time next year, much like you. Best of luck

You will be...same to you!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

LS2982 — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:30:14 GMT

@CreditCardDiva wrote:
Well, My credit union decided to be very kind. They approved me for a Visa, with a $500 limit. I'm truly appreciative...I wasn't expecting to get it. I have a judgement on Experian, that doesn't belong to me...it's for someone in NY, and there's a MA address that isn't mine. I also have another SS# showing up on my credit report. My Experian report is just real crunchy, and I'm not sure how that happened. I don't usually monitor my reports, but from now on it'll be a different story.

My credit union only required that I submit my W-2, my two most recent paystubs and a copy of my SS card. They've sent out completed dispute letters for me to forward to Experian. I didn't have to jump thru any hoops. They've pretty much guaranteed that I'll be with them, till the end of time. I'm a sucker for good customer service. I doubt I would have gotten treated the same by one of the big banks.

Credit Union Visa - $500
Capital One Secured MC - $200
Orchard Bank Platinum MC - $300

So, I'm good for the next year and a half.

Congrats!!!!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:34:32 GMT

Thanks everyone!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:11:44 GMT

Just got off the phone with Experian...disputed all 4 negatives. 2 were removed immediately, along with address and name cleanup, and SS#/Phone # verification. There's this judgement from "Midland" that I don't know anything about, filed in Queens, NY with an erroneous NY address for me (I've never lived in NY). Experian couldn't remove it , because there's no SS#/address attached. There's something from 'AFNI", for a Verizon debt. I haven't had Verizon in over 15 years. It's showing on my report as a 2009 collection. Those two are disputed.

The guy from Experian was very nice, and hopefully I can get this taken care of in a timely manner. My TU is clean. Next is Equifax - which I haven't seen yet.

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:03:17 GMT

Equifax FINALLY completed my dispute investigation (TU and Experian were the fastest): The results for all? The judgement is gone, the wrong addresses are gone, the accounts that didn't belong to me are gone, and there's only one baddie - a 120 day late, from 2009. No charge offs. All disputing was done online.

Now, I just need to chill for about 18 months, and then I'll try for a few new cards, and close my two builders.

Thanks for encouragement!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

webhopper — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:13:32 GMT

@CreditCardDiva wrote:
Equifax FINALLY completed my dispute investigation (TU and Experian were the fastest): The results for all? The judgement is gone, the wrong addresses are gone, the accounts that didn't belong to me are gone, and there's only one baddie - a 120 day late, from 2009. No charge offs. All disputing was done online.

Now, I just need to chill for about 18 months, and then I'll try for a few new cards, and close my two builders.
Thanks for encouragement!

That is awesome!! congrats on getting the inaccurate stuff removed!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

CreditCardDiva — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:25:27 GMT

@webhopper wrote:
@CreditCardDiva wrote:
Equifax FINALLY completed my dispute investigation (TU and Experian were the fastest): The results for all? The judgement is gone, the wrong addresses are gone, the accounts that didn't belong to me are gone, and there's only one baddie - a 120 day late, from 2009. No charge offs. All disputing was done online.

Now, I just need to chill for about 18 months, and then I'll try for a few new cards, and close my two builders.
Thanks for encouragement!

That is awesome!! congrats on getting the inaccurate stuff removed!

Yes it is...thanks a bunch!

Re: I Just Started My Journey

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:37:25 GMT

I know the feeling of starting over. If I were you start doing disputes on everything that you know is incorrect with all three CRA's and continue to do it until your credit report looks like it is supposed to look then go on to Equifax and put an initial 90 fraud alert on your credit report and make sure you have correct phone numbers on there for home, work and your cell phone so that way they have to contact you for any credit concerns. Congrats on getting the starter cards they helped me a lot now I have some nice prime cards and wont be apping for anything else except for my first house when I get back from Afghanistan in a few short weeks.