I just saw that my equifax is 633...any ideas on who might approve me? I do have an open collect that I am payng this week. A creditor that pulls equifax ...
Starting Score: 520
I would recommend that you pay off the collection and make sure it is off from your CR, then apply for some new cards. Your scores should also jump as well, but with your current scores I would recommend Cap1 Quicksilver. You can also try using the pre-qualifier site and see if you can get any offers there. Best of luck.
Is your EQ a FICO or FAKO score? If it is a real FICO score, I would go for a Capital One Platinum (regular Platinum, not the "Platinum Prestige" as it is for good to excellent credit). Back when I applied for mine, I had several medical collections (all of which I had paid) but around 4 were incorrectly reporting past due and they approved me with a 1K limit. Although CapOne is far from my favorite, they're most likely to give you a chance when others won't. Further, they should auto enroll you in their credit steps program where, after 5 consecutive, on time payments, they give you a small auto CLI (mine went to 1.5K automatically). They also just upgraded that starter card to a QuicksilverOne which gives you 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Obviously, there are no guarantees but I think that would be your best shot if you have established any kind of revolving credit at all (I had an HSBC Orchard bank card for 2 years before applying) and my FICO was 630ish. If this is your very first CC, you might want to consider a CapOne secured card for 9 months to a year before applying for the Platinum. US Bank is touted to be one of the best secured cards (less fees) if you qualify but they're a bit more picky on scores, history, etc. and it helps to have a checking account with them.
FYI- perfect payment and usage of my CapOne Platinum allowed me to upgrade that card and ultimately get a Discover IT card a year ago. Time and perfect payment history will be your friend.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Edited to add: CapOne, in my case and plenty of others is notorious for pulling all three bureaus. Not sure if that's a deal breaker. I'm in KY and Discover and Chase always hit both TU and EQ for me (they have never touched EX).
