Need Advice

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of house searching very preliminary. I was horrified to learn that my FICO is 673. I noticed that although my payments and such are all up to date and have been for quite some time...there are two collection agency accounts posted. One is for a dentist bill that I disputed, wrote a letter and faxed. I never heard from the agency again and thought that the bill was resolved. I noticed today that it is on my credit report!!! I still havea copy of the letter I wrote. What do I do next? Also, there is an old utility bill from 1995 that was sent to an agency and I never even heard about it until I saw it today. I moved and no bill was ever forwarded to me. I want to fix this too. Other than that, my credit seems pretty good. I won't lie, when I was young, I was quite irresponsible with my credit cards and lapse in payment alot. I have not done that in say 5 years. What can I do to raise my FICO to at least 700? Also, will resolving these two collection agency issues right away help raise my score? I'm at a lost. Please help. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

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ellasonrisa wrote:
I am in the process of house searching very preliminary. I was horrified to learn that my FICO is 673. I noticed that although my payments and such are all up to date and have been for quite some time...there are two collection agency accounts posted. One is for a dentist bill that I disputed, wrote a letter and faxed. I never heard from the agency again and thought that the bill was resolved. I noticed today that it is on my credit report!!! I still havea copy of the letter I wrote. What do I do next? Also, there is an old utility bill from 1995 that was sent to an agency and I never even heard about it until I saw it today. I moved and no bill was ever forwarded to me. I want to fix this too. Other than that, my credit seems pretty good. I won't lie, when I was young, I was quite irresponsible with my credit cards and lapse in payment alot. I have not done that in say 5 years. What can I do to raise my FICO to at least 700? Also, will resolving these two collection agency issues right away help raise my score? I'm at a lost. Please help. Thanks.

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What were you disputing with the dental office? I would first write a new letter to the agency disputing it and attach a copy of the old letter with it. Wait for their reply, and then if you end up having to pay for it, do not do so without a PFD.

Was the utility bill reported to the CB in 1995? What does it show your last activity date to be. If it's been on your report since 1995, then it needs to be disputed with the CB, as they are only allowed to report it for 7 years. If it is newly reported, dispute it, and if it comes back verified, send a PFD......but I would definently check these dates out and find out what the SOL for that state is.

[Anonymous]

First, welcome!

Second - send a letter stating the 1995 bill is past any such reporting period.

Third - your score is NOT bad at all compared to many of us on here.  I'm stuck in the mid-500's based on FAKO scores and have been trying to clean up for past 6 years - I've been on time since then (as you I was irresponsible or didn't understand what could happen to credit while married) but I still have a few obstacles to overcome before I believe I will not be taken advantage of for a home loan - never owned a home and I want one so bad for my kids - security

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You are all so nice. Thank you so much for being supportive and your advice.

[Tuscani]

Welcome.. Please read the Scoring 101 thread:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=ficoscoring&thread.id=2654

[Anonymous]

Tuscani and his Scoring 101 thread. I have something far more useful. :Hands you Mark VI fully automatic 2.3 bevawatt plasma rifle and Mobile Infantry powered assault suit: There. Welcome to our nightmare. Happy hunting.

[Tuscani]

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TheNewWorldMan wrote:
Tuscani and his Scoring 101 thread. I have something far more useful. :Hands you Mark VI fully automatic 2.3 bevawatt plasma rifle and Mobile Infantry powered assault suit: There. Welcome to our nightmare. Happy hunting.

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Any chance of this plasma rifle reaching mass production? If so, put me down for three!

[Anonymous]

flygirl wrote

Was the utility bill reported to the CB in 1995? What does it show your last activity date to be. If it's been on your report since 1995, then it needs to be disputed with the CB, as they are only allowed to report it for 7 years. If it is newly reported, dispute it, and if it comes back verified, send a PFD......but I would definently check these dates out and find out what the SOL for that state is.

Flygirl, if it is 12 years old----from 1995. Can it be newly reported and stay on for 7 years? I thought once any negitive TL was over 7 years old could not be reported???

Thanks,