Help on rebuilding credit..PLS!

[jamie123]

Do you have a checking account? With what bank? You will need one to get a secured credit card! Do you know that when applying for credit you get higher marks by having BOTH checking AND savings accounts?

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a nice sunny attitude when dealing with creditors! I am sensing that you have a bit of a sour attitude when it comes to these people. They owe you nothing! You are going to be asking these people to make decisions that will benefit you, a little sugar goes a long way.

Put yourself in their shoes. If somebody called up with attitude (On Monday morning!) how would you treat them? Just sayin....

[agilbert6]

Couldnt have asked for more direct and non-sugar coating advice.

THANK YOU!

I have made my starting date for everything tomorrow.

I gotta wait until I get my Chex report and see what the deal is on that.

All secured cards must come with a deposit, right?  If yes, I think I'll get an installment loan with my local CU and start on that process asap.

So you suggest that I dont bother with the other negatives until I make sure everything is OK with the 4 you listed?

Again, thanks for all of the helpful advice!

[agilbert6]

Sorry you sense that, but I have a sour attitude against no onw.  My mistakes are my mistakes, even if they did come with disputes such as the suntrust account.

I'm trying to work with the creditors as much as possible to get these things off.  My "beef" comes in if they dont budge with a PFD or any other alternative method to get these marks removed.  I've learned to never give in to a CA.

[agilbert6]

I'll know Monday if my checkings and savings are still active with Wells Fargo.

[jamie123]

Ahhhh.....I sense you are now understanding the importance of doing this in order! Good job!

The other things on your report can wait a bit. Don't let them distract you from your plan. You need ALL your concentration and efforts on the top 4 baddies and getting those 2 secured credit cards. That will keep you more than busy this week.

So this is what I would do:

1. Call WF and see if your account is active. Get some money in your checking account to pay for your secured cards. You need to get a checking account first before you can do anything else. Order some checks if you don't have them already. When you apply for the secured CC you will have to supply your checking account routing and account number. They will withdraw your deposit money directly from your account. If you don't have a checking account you can't get the secured cards.

2. Call Suntrust and find out what happened with this account. I doubt you can reopen it or have it removed from your report at this time. MAKE SURE ANY MONIES OWED ARE PAID IN FULL! Like I said before, checking and savings accounts are not like credit accounts. Its called stealing when you default on a checking or savings account.

3. Call the apartment management company about your account. They will be able to tell you if you can settle the matter with them or have to go through the CRA. It would be to your benefit to handle this through the apartment management company. MAKE SURE YOU GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING AND A RECEIPT WHEN YOU PAY!

4. Call Comcast and negotiate with them. Don't pay unless they agree to a pay for delete. Ask to talk to a supervisor if you aren't getting results from the front line customer service rep.

All these conversations should start from you like this: "I'm sorry I acted like some immature college punk and used your services without paying. I have grown up a bit, seen the light, and have now decided to act like an adult. I want to make this right for you and if at all possible could your find it in your heart that once I pay you for my past stupid transgressions you could have this information deleted from the CRAs?"

Well....You might not want to use my exact wording but you get the point. Humility will go a long way in fixing these problems. Get those people on your side! People want to help people! Ask for their help? Ask them, "If you were in my shoes, what would you do?"

[agilbert6]

LOL!

Thanks so much for the advice.  I'll get on everything first thing Monday morning and I def will be keeping you updated on the progress.

FINGERS CROSSED!

[jamie123]

Good luck!

See ya tomorrow!

[Lasardo]

Regardless if you have negatives on your report or not, it is imperative you start rebuilding GOOD credit. 

That is the mistake I made so now I am Rebuilding. I just posted a great way to rebuild under a "credit builder" account, this will be useful because you can save money at the same time rebuilding your credit.  Please take the time to read that, other wise pm me and I will give you the  name of the bank offers it, the great things that everyone is approved.

Second, start rebuilding with a secured card. 

Third, give yourself a break, moving through the credit minefield Is NOT easy.  You have started young and I am sure these negatives will be off your report before you know it. 

T/c

Good luck . 

[agilbert6]

Hey Lasardo!  Thanks for that advice. I PM'd you.

Jamie, I contacted all of the banks.  Suntrust told me that they didn't use Chexsystems and Wells Fargo told me I can come in and reopen both of my accounts whenever.  Still waiting on a reply from Comcast.  I'm in need of Exec numbers and emails from them.

I did recieve a win today, however.  I emailed a large portion of the execs from Verizon one day last week and today I got a call from one of them that were more than willing to remove the bad remarks from my CR.  She understood my situation and knew how critical it is to have good credit coming out of undergrad. 

Anyways, my biggest obstacle...THE APARTMENT...today I called and couldnt get in touch with the leasing head person. So I thought it would be a better idea to send her an email detailing the whole situation.  My question is what would you suggest I include in the email?

[jamie123]

You've been busy! Good work!

Congrats on the Verizon! See what that sunny personality and personal communication can sometimes get you? And just why would you want to take all that you learned with this Verizon transaction and throw it in the trash just to write an impersonal e-mail? (I know that pride thing keeps rearing its ugly head!)

If I were you I would try and get a hold of the leasing manager by phone. If that doesn't work, send her an e-mail asking her to please call you at her earliest convenience to discuss payment arrangements for the apartment.

Believe me, you have a couple of things going for you when you talk to them in person:

1. Youth! Everyone wants to help a young person succeed. We've all been where you are now, probably even the leasing manager. This is what you should remember from your experience with Verizon: "She understood my situation and knew how critical it is to have good credit coming out of undergrad." 

2. They will give you a lot of credit for calling in person to correct the problem. They know how difficult it is. They do this every day for a living. Most young people hide from these difficult situations. (Where's your roommate now?)(How is she handling the situation?)

I really do give you KUDOS for doing this! I know it is not easy.

So.....For tomorrow:

1. Get to Wells Fargo and fire up those accounts. Deposit money and order some checks and get a debit card. THIS IS YOUR CHECKING AND SAVINGS BANK NOW! Protect it! Find out when the money you deposited will be available for use. You can't pay anyone until you money is available. While you are there why not talk to a manager and talk to them about getting a secured credit card? You might be able to apply right then and there. Make sure you get their business card and thank them for all their help. Ask them if they would mind if you called them when you needed some advice with loans or other banking services. (Time for some sugar!) Guess what? Now you have a personal banker!

2. Suntrust. I'll be back in a bit.