topic Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss in Credit Cards

Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 09:18:35 GMT

This is my very first post here. I've been a lurker since the beginning of the year and decided maybe my story could give some credit repairers some hope and maybe some credit experts could help guide me through a recent situation.

Background: I only had one credit since 2008 a Capital One plat MasterCard. Could never get an increase and the acct was scattered with 30 day and 60 days lates. I knew nothing about EO offices and what not. Nor did I really care about gaining new credit or maintaining a decent FICO. In Jan '13 I became aware of my credit situation because in that month I suffered 6 90 day late payments on student loans. It's here nor there now, but I was late and unaware. Didn't pay attention to the units I was taking and never realized I went into repayment. My credit score took a dive to mid 500's. My $750 Cap1 card wasn't cutting it for me anymore.

I had a couple collections on my reports from unpaid medical and unpaid tickets, even a tax lien. I didn't know what to do so I enlisted Lexington Law to help. They got several things removed for me and I kept my balances low. The lates from Sallie Mae stayed but the tickets became paid and removed. The tax lien turned out not to be mine and was removed. I now know I could have done all this myself but with fulltime work and school I figured Lex Law would be an easy way out.

Fast forward to Nov '13. I cancelled Lex Law because I felt they did all they could do. Cap1 would not give me an increase whatsoever. I'd been asking for one every month for 7 months. At this point all that was on my reports were late payments. I applied for Barclays Rewards card and was denied. Right after I applied for a CreditOne visa and was approved for $300(wich increased to $500 after first PIF bill).

A couple weeks after the CreditOne, all of the sudden Cap1 switched me to a no AF Quicksilver and upped my CL to $2250

Needed a new laptop since my old one took a dump and decided I should finally give Apple a shot and applied for the Barclay Apple finance Visa in Feb' 14 was instantly approved for $2000. I was ecstatic. First ever instant approval and it allowed me to finance my MacBook for 12mos (Only needed 3mos to pay off the $1900 balance) the safety net felt great though.

End of March '14 I applied for Discover It and was another instant approval for $4500. Flying high. At this point my Equifax FICO was 698.

Now to this past Sunday 7/6, I saw through Discover and Barclay that I had finally broken the 700 mark on Transunion at 702. I have been really wanting an Amex and Chase card. I applied for the BCE and the Freedom. Both Instant approval, BCE $2000 and Freedom $3500.

I was elated. Couldn't have been happier. But it's never enough, is it? On Monday 7/7 I apped for the Citi Dividend. This is where you myFico experts chime in, please. At the end of my application it said "Thank you for choosing Citi, and welcome to your new Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa Card!" I then checked my email and had gotten an email from Citi stating that they needed to review my app and it would be 1-7 days before they contact me. I called in and the CSR I spoke with basically said it's some address verification stuff I need to send in. Citi doesn't let you use a PO Box. I never use my physical address as I get no mail here. So I'm supposed to wait until I get a letter or email requesting certain documents.

So here I am 7/8 around 10pm. I get an alert email from freecreditscore.com. I've had a collection acct added to my Experian report. $209 from ATT via a CA. I've only ever in my 29yrs had 1 acct with ATT which I currently have, and have had for the past 2 years. I instantly disputed it with Experian. I do not know what it is at all. I tried calling but it was too late for ATT and Enhanced Recovery Company to get a live person. I'll call in the monring to verify.

So here is my question to you myFico experts. Will Amex see this brand new collection and take an AA against me? Should I wait to send in the Citi documents when they ask? Amex pulled me on 7/6 and Citi on 7/7. The collection showed up on 7/8. Amex sent my BCE out already and Im so excited yet worried that this fraudulent ATT BS can bring me back down. My score on freecreditreport dropped 70pts just from that collection. I know it's not FICO, but a drop is a drop.

I've done so much work to be collection free and be in the clear (other than late payments on Cap1 and SallieMae) that it's so upsetting to see this collection pop up.

I know this is a novel but hey, maybe it will help someone. Thank you in advance for your replies.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Kenny — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:45:11 GMT

You've done well! And I'm sure you'll continue to do well! I'm sure it's not needed to say, but I would definitely garden 6 months to 1 year before you app for anything else.

The Citi card -- definitely send the documents in.

Amex -- don't worry.. treat them well and they will treat you well!

The collection sounds like it's not your's from your recollection so that should be removed shortly!

Again, CONGRATS!

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

BUN — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 13:07:01 GMT

Congrats on all of your hard work! Try to GW those lates, and rehab those student loans while you garden!

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

alvon123 — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:14:50 GMT

congrats

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Focused10 — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:16:34 GMT

If AMEX is approved, then you're ok. I would still dispute the ATT charge and get it removed and be done for now. You've done well...now garden for a while!

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:10:18 GMT

Thanks Kenny, BUN, alvon, and Focused! I'm definitely not going to apply for anything else till at least the end of the year. I can't think of any cards that I want anyways. As of now I've got 4 INQs on Exp, 2 on Equifax, and 3 on Transunion. Enough for now.

I'm just about to call and find out whats up with this collection, so we'll see.....

Just finished talking with a woman over at ERC Collections and it looks like it is not mine. Wrong address of service, wrong social. She's disputing it on her end and I already did on mine so we shall see. I'll keep you guys posted.

I also recieved an email from Citi rquesting a home telephone bill, utility bill, and most recent pay stub. I have to call them as well, no telephone bill. Ok, just finished on the phone with Citi as well.......Dun, dun, duuun....... Approved for $2000. Wish it was higher but oh well. All she needed to do was add my PO Box to the application and it took away all the need for verification.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

elim — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:32:17 GMT

A year and a half... Great work! This looks like my goals and gives me a nice time frame of when to expect the good cards/limits. Thank you for sharing

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

kbailey1734 — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 00:10:27 GMT

Thank you for sharing your story.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:43:00 GMT

elim wrote:

A year and a half... Great work! This looks like my goals and gives me a nice time frame of when to expect the good cards/limits. Thank you for sharing

Thanks elim! Yea, you can get em. Only thing that sucks is waiting and being patient but you'll get there.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:45:16 GMT

@kbailey1734 wrote:
Thank you for sharing your story.

Thanks for taking the time to read it.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

mossmanb5 — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 07:39:00 GMT

Congrats on your journey. I can't wait to hit the 700 club one day

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 08:48:32 GMT

@mossmanb5 wrote:
Congrats on your journey. I can't wait to hit the 700 club one day

Thanks mossman, you'll get it!

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

coldnmn — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:05:22 GMT

Congrats! Thanks for sharing your credit journey.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:04:05 GMT

@coldnmn wrote:
Congrats! Thanks for sharing your credit journey.

No problem coldnmn, glad to do so. Thanks.

Re: Sharing my story...a few wins, recent loss

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 10:54:58 GMT

Great story. Congrats on your success