Thanks! 
Well, I guess this question is going to have to be moot for a little while. A few days ago I logged on to PIF my Milestone card (50 bucks) and discovered a fraudulent charge. It was an online charge made to the University of Mexico. When I called to report it, they told me they'd seen that fraudulent charge before (which sounds like a data breach or company being targeted). Anyway, their procedure is to close the card and issue a new one. That process takes about 3 weeks and in the meantime I have no access to my new acct. The CSR told me I would be able to make it by phone, but he was wrong--their automated line doesn't allow you to get anywhere without an account number. So I haven't been able to make the payment. I faxed them the problem and got no response. In the meantime, though, they went ahead and did their monthly report to the CRAs. Didn't report me late, and it didn't affect my util very much, but they did report "lost or stolen card," and TU and EQ both decided to hit me for it anyway. 13 and 10 pts respectively.
Oddly enough, Experian raised me a point, same reason.
Doesn't seem quite right. I didn't lose the card or have it stolen, and I caught and reported it before I even got my statement. Seems responsible enough to me. Is there anything I can do about it?
Why is it that improved balances and payments get you 2-3 points, but someone stealing your number can drop you 10-15? That 13 pts at TU dropped me down below the magic 640. 
Decided y'all were right, went for it, got it with $3k CL. Thanks for all the help!
Now back to the garden, for a few months anyway.