Accounts I didn't know I had, not fraud, should I keep them open? How many accounts are too many?

[Anonymous]

I have credit card accounts on my credit report that I had know idea I had. I believe they are from those college years when applying for credit meant getting a free t-shirt. Anyway, should I leave those accounts open. When I play with the simulator, it definitely lowers my credit score to close them, but do you think I am asking for identity theft issues or some other form of trouble I haven't thought about yet, by leaving the open?

I think I have 27 accounts on my credit report. I am so ashamed of that. I did the store credit card thing when I was young. I must have had every store, lol. Most of them are closed, or not being used. That number does not seem to be hurting me at all, but I don't think it looks good. I think there are about 5 I didn't know about. If someone used them I would never know. That is what really worries me.

On a side note, AMEX gave me a card with a $10,000 limit when I was 20. What were they thinking! Unfortunately, I closed that account when I found out about it years ago. It probably would have been a nice score booster. Fortunately, I closed it, because I would probably be $10,000 more in debt right now!!!

[Anonymous]

Lucky dog you. Those old accounts that you forgot about.... SCORE BOOSTERS! Keep em. You get points for age. Those accounts are probably the oldest thing you have. As that they bring your score UP.

Worried about theft. If you sign up for a credit monitoring service it should tell you when a dormant card or card with no activity has new activity. Or just pull your credit reports 1 time monthly. I do all. I did have to close some cc accounts just because I had to many to keep track of, but that was around 20.

As far as too many accounts. There might not be a limit but FICO says 29 total is the limit and 30 raises a red flag on some reports.

[Anonymous]

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4gotmyblackcard wrote:
I have credit card accounts on my credit report that I had know idea I had. I believe they are from those college years when applying for credit meant getting a free t-shirt. Anyway, should I leave those accounts open. When I play with the simulator, it definitely lowers my credit score to close them, but do you think I am asking for identity theft issues or some other form of trouble I haven't thought about yet, by leaving the open?

I think I have 27 accounts on my credit report. I am so ashamed of that. I did the store credit card thing when I was young. I must have had every store, lol. Most of them are closed, or not being used. That number does not seem to be hurting me at all, but I don't think it looks good. I think there are about 5 I didn't know about. If someone used them I would never know. That is what really worries me.

On a side note, AMEX gave me a card with a $10,000 limit when I was 20. What were they thinking! Unfortunately, I closed that account when I found out about it years ago. It probably would have been a nice score booster. Fortunately, I closed it, because I would probably be $10,000 more in debt right now!!!

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I would contact the CC companies and update your address and get new cards and begin getting statements.