Hello! I am new!

[Anonymous]

I have been reading the boards here for a month or more, but just joined today!

I have been trying to build my credit for several months.  My first credit check (about 2 months ago) was freecreditreport.com  I think my plus score was around 620

I am now using:

mycreditkeeper which gives me scores of Exp 578, EQ 627 and TU 642

truecredit.com which gives me scores of Exp 615, EQ 613 and TU 624

my Vantage score is 643 (Letter Grade D)

My EQ Fico is 604, EXP Fico 615 and TU Fico 641

One of my problems is that I have 2 year old hospital bills.  Equifax is also letting them re-report in 2007 and 2008, so that's not helping.

Until this past month, I had no other credit, no credit cards.  I now have Macy's, Total Visa, Platinum Visa (with Credit One) Secured CC with HSBC, $1500 Crown Jewelers charge acct (not reporting yet, just made purchase), and a $500 unsecured personal loan from a local finance company (My husband uses this company, and the gentleman was very nice about helping me build my credit.)

I was declined in mid February for the Premier Gold Card, then I noticed in on my credit report.  I called the number to complain, but received an automated service.  It had check application status, so I did that, and it said I was approved.

I had received a decline letter from them in the mail, which I still have.

Then yesterday, I received a letter from them, stating that the first letter was AN ERROR, and that I am approved and should receive my card within 2 weeks.

So they done a reconsider without my consent, basically?

My husband says I should cancel it as soon as it gets here.  Tell them no, I don't want it, they declined me. (Besides, I have enough now.)

I do have alot of inq now, 20+ on TU and EQ (trying to get approved for cards)

I have decided that I am not going to apply for anything else.  And I am definitely going to pay my bills early.

Any tips or suggestions on building my credit are greatly appreciated. 

M.S.

[Anonymous]

Hello!!!

The FP card comes activated with charges already onit - be very specific when closing that you expect them to zero the card and report it closed.  They report almost immediately so it will 'show'.

Now you need to let things age - at 6 months you should have improvemnt, then again at a year.  No more apping for a year (I really need to follow my own advice).  Use the cards but always BE ONTIME (even early) with payments.

As for the hospital bills --- if you can pay them try to deal with the hospital and get a PFD.  That would get them OFF your reports.

[Anonymous]

Everything that LADY told you...... BUT do not call and cancel this card   send them a letter (to the address on you CR)   copy the letter that they sent you *declined*    tell them that since you received that letter you have since opened another CC and DO NOT want this card.....then be sure to add what LADY said.   I would send it CMRRR also     you do not want them to come back next month & say that they didn't hear from you!

IMO.....do not use any of your CC  yet...........I would take 1 card at a time......pay ONLY the amount that you can PIF within 2 weeks    to the hospital.  Then next month  do the same with another card......this will keep cards active and reporting BUT you will not have a Balance.  Remember  do not charge more then you can PIF........the hospital will accept this type of payment.

NOW  before doing this  you must know if making payments will change your SOL

Some states do not have SOL on hospital bills and some do. You need to know your state law on this.

Hospital and other medical go by DOLA (date of service)

When were the hosp.bills from??  and can you afford to PIF??? 

The only scores that are good are FICO......I have TC also but these are FAKO scores.

Message Edited by HappyDays on 03-09-2008 01:43 PM

[Anonymous]

i cancelled FP online the day i got it because of exorbitant charges.  CL 300--charges 178.  They are just terrible.

Message Edited by casinoannie97 on 03-09-2008 09:03 PM

[Anonymous]

casinoannie, did they zero it out for you?

I agree the charges are ridiculous.  And at the time (when I first applied) I was willing to pay those charges, because I was getting denials left, right and indifferent.  I wanted to start building my credit, and now I have finally been accepted for the things that I had listed above.

And this is a list of the ones who have denied me:

Hooters

Bloomingdales

Spiegel

Home Depot

Circuit City

Best Buy

Walmart

Exxon

Chevron/Texaco

J Crew

J C Penney

Victorias Secret

Capital 1

Wamu

Toys R Us

HSBC (unsecured)

Kay's Jewelers

Discover

Amex

Bank of America

I know I am leaving some out, just don't remember what they are! lol

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all of you for your replies

[llecs]

I'd slow down! The inquiries will have a negative impact when future creditors see all these.

Wait for your cards to age and in the next 6 months, you'll see a good score increase.