Trans Union says: NO CREDIT CARD ACTIVITY! Is this normal?

[sfoboy85]

Hello all,

My question is the following:

Is it normal that when I pull my Trans Union FICO report, under the "Hurting your score" it says:

There is no recent activity on your credit cards.        

Your credit report shows no open credit cards or it does not report recent information (such as balance or credit limit) about any of your credit cards. Your FICO score evaluates your mix of credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages. People who demonstrate responsible use of different types of credit are generally less risky to lenders.

What to do about this: You might want to show new activity on any credit card. If you already have a credit card, you can show new activity by using it and paying it back on time. If you don't have a credit card, consider opening one. However, be aware that the credit inquiry associated with applying for a new card may lower your FICO score in the short term.

It is obviously not true. I have an AMEX Platinum charge card (use it every day) and a Credit Union VISA credit card (I use every other day).

Now, why is it saying that there is no recent activity? And when I click on "Accounts"

There they are... all of them with the correct balances and everything... What can I do about that?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[sfoboy85]

Anyone, any ideas???

[DaveSignal]

don't worry about it.  Your TU score is good.

[sfoboy85]

Thanks for the post, however it does not really help me out...

[DaveSignal]

well its something about the way your charge card and cu card is reporting.

you could open another credit card and that would fix it, but, as i mentioned, your TU score is good already and you chance taking hits for inquiries or a new account when you open a new card you don't need.

[sfoboy85]

I have 2 credit cards that I use regularly...

1 AMEX Platinum charge card and 1 Visa card from my CU bank... so that's not it unfortunately...

Anyone, any ideas?

[DaveSignal]

FICO is based on the stuff in your report.  There are no settings that you can change to make it score differently.  You can only attempt to change the stuff in your credit report.

What is the 'account type'  on the cards reporting?  and the 'credit limit' that is reported.

I am sorry to say, that the only way to fix this is to either try to get on the phone and see if there is a way to get your current cards to report differently or to get another credit card.

[sfoboy85]

I guess I will just call them since I see a 10 month period back in 2011 when my AMEX card was reported as "Unknown" and not paid as agreed.... so I will just file a dispute then...

Hopefully they will sort it out...

[DaveSignal]

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@sfoboy85 wrote:

I guess I will just call them since I see a 10 month period back in 2011 when my AMEX card was reported as "Unknown" and not paid as agreed.... 

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The 'paid as agreed' is not whats causing your issue.  The 'type' for your account needs to either state 'credit card' or 'revolving'.  If not either of those, thats your problem.  The 'credit limit' needs to have a $ value for your credit limit.  Something needs to be listed for 'balance' too.  $0 is OK, but if it is blank, thats your problem.

But since your Amex card is a charge card and Amex is probably reporting it the same way they report all of whatever kind of card you have, you have slightly better chance contacting the CU and see if they are able to change their reporting.   But if neither work, you would need a new credit card, not a charge card, and not a card with no preset limit.  Just a regular credit card with a specific credit line that you have the option of carrying a balance if you feel like it.

Also, you don't file a dispute with the OC.  You file a dispute with the CRA.  But if Amex states it is reporting accurately then your dispute probably won't do anything, because CRA is just going to contact Amex and Amex will tell them that it is reporting correctly.  But you could try.

[AndySoCal]

Do you allow balances to report or do you pay before the statement cuts?