Score keeps getting lower

[Anonymous]

I can't understand how my score keeps getting lower. I have been in the process of improving my credit for the last 6 years. I haven't paid anything late in 6 years. I have about a 3% balance on a revolveing account (because I read that is better than $0) one tax lien that has been there forever but is paid. and one collection that will be 7 years old next month...yet for the last 4 years no matter what I do my score just hovers around 610-630. recently up to 668. But this month for no apparent reason it dropped down to 636. Is there anyway to actualy get a person (from a Credit reporting agency) on the phone or to reply to an email or something to explain what else I can possilbly do? These days this FICO score seems to be the onlything anyone is interested in.. Any help or insight would be apperciated.

[wilee]

What is the age of your oldest account? Baddies fall off after 7 years but at the 7 year point, the account is, in many cases, helping your report by showing a longer length of history. Having baddies fall off, can also shorten your average age of accounts...especially if you're opening a lot of new accounts to re-establish credit.

[Anonymous]

The average is 10 years. The most recent is June 2008 for a car loan. I have one collection that is from an appartment that I was on the lease (but not a resident....whole other story)  it's from 2001. it shows as a revolviong (not collection)...always has. I've disputed several times and no results. I think they just verify that I was on the lease and that's that. other than that all accounts are in good standing. I have no faith in this system at all. the more effort I put into improving this number the less results I see.

[cobaltnv]

I guess the first question is where did you get your scores from? That is are they real Fico scores? If they are not then the discussion is moot.

Other information that will help someone on here help understand your score change: how many cc do you have? what are the balances/cl for each? Has the %utilization changed at all over the past few months?

[Anonymous]

I get the scores from this site. So they are true FICO scores. I have 3 credit cards. about $2000 limit on each AMEX Platinum (it doesn't show up on any report) but, it doesnt seem to matter what the balance is...my score just hangs around the same figure. I have tried different balances to try an alter the score. but I pay them off each month either on full or leave $50-$20 one there. seems to make no difference. I have a Morgage that is a year old. a Car loan that is 4 years. (only about $5000 remains of the $21000) and Truck loan opened around mid 2008. I am looking to buy some investment property and just can't seem to get this !*%$ score to move...well not in a favorable direction.

[Junejer]

Kyle, it seems to me that the collection is past CRTP. If this lease ended in 2001, that is past seven years. Figure out the DOFD and if past seven years, dispute it as being obsolete.

[Anonymous]

Well the lease was broken late 2001 but it did not show up until 2003. The report shows it will be there until 2010. I have disputed but with no results....I've always disputed that it is not my debt. but I think they just validate that I was on the lease and that's the end of that. but it shows as a revolving account. So every month I get stuck with a 120 day past due account....ya think it'll  make a difference to be a collection and not revolving? is it possible that that one item is holding me back so much? I know people that can care less about there credit score and have better credit than me. This is frustrating because with the economy like it is...this one little number has an influence on you ability  for a person to do anything now.

[Junejer]

Yes, I think it's hurting your score for them to report that way. They aren't allowed to report that way.

CRTP runs from DOFD, not the first date that the thing showed up on your reports. You can probably dispute as being past CRTP, especially if you have any proof of when the lease went bad.

[Anonymous]

If it is reporting as revolving then it could be affecting your util.

I agree with Byrdman, this is likely past CRTP. At the latest, if broken in December 2001, it could remain until May 2009........but no way it could remain until 2010.

I would take a look at the re-aging thread and follow those steps. I have done it a few times and had good results.

If you have a report directly from EQ look for "DOFD" not, Date 1st major delinquency reported. On EX and TU reports directly from EX or TU, look for an estimated removal date.

Also, you mention that you pay your cards in full or leave a small balance. This is good, but are you paying BEFORE they report to the CRA each month? You have to check to see what balance is being reported. It is possible that they may report before you pay on the account each month.

[Anonymous]

Well, I will keep trying. thanks for all the help. Seems like a lot of knowledge here. I'll post again if I ever see any results or just wait until 2010. whatever comes first....

Thanks again.

Kyle