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My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

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Nikita2008
Regular Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

You are kind of in a hole here. Short of paying charge offs, and collections, there is not really a quick way to boost here. I'd try to settle them if you can, I doubt you'd be able to settle for $1400.


You could try a good will on the auto loan- this probably would not be quick. 

Seeing as you don't have any revolving credit reporting positive you could try opening a new trade line as in a secured card ( preferred option), or a credit builder card ( only if you can't do the deposit for a secured- as they are fee heavy). It may not report right away, I've had new cards take up to 2 months to report.

 

Not sure what bureau they are using, you could try something like Experian Boost with utility, cell phone, streaming bills etc, it might not get you what you need, but perhaps a little closer. 

I think this situation does not really have a "quick fix" unless you had the money to get take care of,the CO's and collections right away.

 

As for the apartment- You maybe could have someone co-sign the lease for you. If the landlord is not willing to take an extra deposit- you might have to set your sights on a different place with a landlord willing to work with you.

 

 Best of luck.

 

 

Message 11 of 24
bott6698
Established Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

Thanks to all for your advice. Do you think it would be wise to try for this?

I mean I have 2 cards already in CO with Credit One Bank so isn't it likely to be denied?

Your Experian Pre-Approved status means you have about a 90% likelihood to be approved for our credit card with cash back rewards and more!

10/11/2017 EQ 640 TU 639 EX 652 12/10/2016 EQ 621 TU 607 EX 626 10/10/16 EQ566 TU591 EX 587
01/31/2008 EX 502 EQ 466 TU 481
3/14/2008 EX 578 EQ 539 TU 543
4/16/2008 EX 622 EQ 532 TU 578
5/19/2008 EX 604 EQ 591 TU 592
1/1/2009 EQ 625 EX 576 TU 569
02/13/2009 EQ 648 EX 617 TU 590
09/28/2009 EQ 568 TU 591
Thanks to all Fico supporters for your encouragement and advice
Message 12 of 24
babygirl1256
Senior Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

Greetings bott6698 ~ Unfortunately, I'm not sure that paying 1 or 2 accounts would garner you a 38-point increase asap. With $1,400.00 and paying Discover you are left with $200.00 and that isn't enough to pay another full charge-off or collection. Is there any way possible for you to defer your move 6 months? If so, that $4,400.00 would allow you to resolve several items and LVNV will do a PFD (Pay For Delete) -and- Midland Collections - will delete 2 years after DOFD per statement on their website . . . or you may want to pay the recent 2021 Discover CO in conjunction with the 2018 COs only if you decide to defer your move. Wishing you success in paying off at least a few items!!!

Starting FICO 8 Score in 06/2019: EQ-625, TU-649, EX-640
Current FICO 8 Score in 06/2021: EQ-796, TU-806, EX-812
Goal FICO 8 Score in 06/2022: EQ-825, TU-850, EX-850
Message 13 of 24
designated_knitter
Established Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost


@bott6698 wrote:

I tried a double security deposit of $4400 and still was denied so my only option is 

to fix something to get to 580 as my realtor told me once it is at 580+ they don't question credit.

 


I don't know where you live but some of the bigger Wall Street landlords (Progress Residential and American Homes 4 Rent) will accept applicants with a 550 credit score.  They generally rent houses rather than apartments but if you're looking at 2200 / month rent, that's a lot of house in a lot of places.

 

I think Authorized User might be your best hope combined with at least one CO.  

Started Over Again after Cap1 Death Penalty:
06/15/2019:
03/02/2021:
04/06/2021:
05/28/2021:
Lesson Learned: DON'T POKE THE BEAR!!! THE BEAR WILL WIN!!!
Message 14 of 24
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

@bott6698 I know the feeling of looking for s place with some blemishes on your record. One apartment told me I needed a co-signer or $10k deposit. I think I cried. I agree with the advice you've been given. But for practical purposes, and based on experience I think @designated_knitter is spot on. I'd probably try talking directly to the landlord, I'd probably say (if this is true I your case) "my credit is bad, but there aren't any evictions because I prioritize paying my rent. Please contact my previous landlord(s) to see what kind of tenant I am." I've noticed that when my credit was at its worst, i did much better with private property owners. I know it's not what you want to hear. I wish you all the best.

Message 15 of 24
Nikita2008
Regular Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost


@bott6698 wrote:

Thanks to all for your advice. Do you think it would be wise to try for this?

I mean I have 2 cards already in CO with Credit One Bank so isn't it likely to be denied?

Your Experian Pre-Approved status means you have about a 90% likelihood to be approved for our credit card with cash back rewards and more!


I would stay away from banks you have COs with. The likelihood of a hard pull and denial is strong, which would make your situation worse.  Secured cards are your best bet. If not secured perhaps try Capital one. There are also other subprime, they are less reputable though.

Unfortunately there really is no magic bullet for this situation.

Message 16 of 24
bott6698
Established Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

After looking into it all the Collections are not handled by Midland or LVNV but attorneys they use.

The Discover is also with an attorney. Do I negotiate with the attorney?

10/11/2017 EQ 640 TU 639 EX 652 12/10/2016 EQ 621 TU 607 EX 626 10/10/16 EQ566 TU591 EX 587
01/31/2008 EX 502 EQ 466 TU 481
3/14/2008 EX 578 EQ 539 TU 543
4/16/2008 EX 622 EQ 532 TU 578
5/19/2008 EX 604 EQ 591 TU 592
1/1/2009 EQ 625 EX 576 TU 569
02/13/2009 EQ 648 EX 617 TU 590
09/28/2009 EQ 568 TU 591
Thanks to all Fico supporters for your encouragement and advice
Message 17 of 24
bott6698
Established Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost

Also I am reading on google about Rental Kharma and seems like a promising way of reporting

my rent payments to the CRA's to help build credit fast. Could this work?

10/11/2017 EQ 640 TU 639 EX 652 12/10/2016 EQ 621 TU 607 EX 626 10/10/16 EQ566 TU591 EX 587
01/31/2008 EX 502 EQ 466 TU 481
3/14/2008 EX 578 EQ 539 TU 543
4/16/2008 EX 622 EQ 532 TU 578
5/19/2008 EX 604 EQ 591 TU 592
1/1/2009 EQ 625 EX 576 TU 569
02/13/2009 EQ 648 EX 617 TU 590
09/28/2009 EQ 568 TU 591
Thanks to all Fico supporters for your encouragement and advice
Message 18 of 24
mycreditscoreisfair
Frequent Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost


@bott6698 wrote:

Also I am reading on google about Rental Kharma and seems like a promising way of reporting

my rent payments to the CRA's to help build credit fast. Could this work?


You can contact the collection agencies and they'll tell you whether they'll accept payment/settlement or whether you have to contact their attorneys. It sounds like you could be close to getting sued for some of these debts, so best to handle it as soon as possible. 

It seems there's quite a bit of negative information on your reports, I doubt something like Credit Kharma would do a whole lot.

 

How long do you have until you have to be out of your current place?

Starting score (January 2020): 454 (TU)
First goal (December 2020): 580 (TU)
Second goal (August 2021): 670 (TU)
Current scores: 679 (TU), 665 (EQ), 658 (EX)
Current goal: All three bureaus over 670

Declined credit cards: First Premier Bank, Verve, Self, Credit One, Today Smiley Happy
Message 19 of 24
designated_knitter
Established Contributor

Re: My credit is a mess and need help deciding best method for quick score boost


@bott6698 wrote:

Also I am reading on google about Rental Kharma and seems like a promising way of reporting

my rent payments to the CRA's to help build credit fast. Could this work?


I doubt it.  I looked at this and found this snippet from NerdWallet.  This is really aimed at people with thin CLEAN files to give them an older trade line. However, as stated from the article, most FICO models aren't will not factor in rental payments, it is unlikely to impact the credit score your leasing company uses.  

I really don't want to sound cruel but there just is not an easy quick fix for your situation.  Looking at the scores in your signature, you have apparently had bad credit for more than a decade going back to 2009.  Several times you've been up over 600 but then your scores fall again.

 

Unfortunately, bad credit is like having a weight problem.  You can't ignore it for 10 years at a time and then go on a crash diet hoping to lose 50 pounds in a month to fit into a wedding dress.  It takes sustained conscious effort and TIME!  You can only improve your credit with time, discipline, and consistency.

Where Rental Kharma falls short

Rental Kharma reports to only one of the three major credit-reporting bureaus, TransUnion. It doesn't currently report to Equifax or Experian, though Canazares says the company is in talks aimed at adding both.

 

That limits Rental Kharma's impact only to credit scores derived from data on a TransUnion credit report. When you consider that the most commonly used FICO formulas do not factor in rental payments at all, you’re affecting only a small number of the credit scoring models a potential creditor might use.

 

 

Started Over Again after Cap1 Death Penalty:
06/15/2019:
03/02/2021:
04/06/2021:
05/28/2021:
Lesson Learned: DON'T POKE THE BEAR!!! THE BEAR WILL WIN!!!
Message 20 of 24
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