Can I PLEASE Get Advice On How To Improve CR and Score...HELP!!!

[Anonymous]

I truly need help knowing what to do next...Cleaned credit up years ago, just finished paying down $12000+ of $14000 cc debt, NOW WHAT?

Basically I'd like to know if someone is willing to go through my info with a highlighter and say, "I suggest..."

DV this one

GW that one

Leave that one alone

HIPPA for this

DO NOT HIPPA for that

etc., etc.

Below I've posted my CR info...please provide as much detail as possible on how to proceed (ie. who should get a GW letter, whether I should get the multiple listings of student loans deleted or not. Is it hurting? Not making a difference? Helping Me? Should I try to GW the lates seeing as I've always tried to keep them deferrred).

I'll have to do multiple postings to get it all in so keep reading...

[Anonymous]

Collection Items

Collector FLORIDA POWER LIGHT COMPANY

Ownership Individual; Date Open 01-2008; Balance Date 03-2008; Balance Amount $123

Date of Status 03-2008; Status Account seriously past due 

Revolving Accounts

AMEX - Credit Car

Ownership Individual; Date Open 12-2006; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $482 (should say $0); High/Limit $500; Account Status Pays account as agreed This is an account in good standing

BANK OF AMERICA - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; High/Limit $1000; Account Status Lost or stolen card Comments Closed

BK OF AMER - Credit Card

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 03-2002; Balance Date 09-2008; High/Limit $500; Account Status Paid or paying as agreed; Comments Account closed by consumer

BK OF AMER - Credit Card

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 09-2008; High/Limit $1000; Account Status Pays account as agreed This is an account in good standing; Comments Account closed at Credit Grantor's Request

CAP ONE - Credit Card

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $5530 (should say $0); Monthly Pymnt $165; High/Limit $5500; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Prior Delinquency 12-2007; 30 Days Late 1 Time

CAP ONE - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 09-2008; Balance Amount $0; Monthly Pymnt $165; High/Limit $5500; Account Status Current account/was 30 days past due date; Prior Delinquency 12-2007; 30 Days Late 1 Time

CAP ONE - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $535(should say $0); Monthly Pymnt $16; High/Limit $500; Account Status Pays account as agreed This is an account in good standing; 

CHEVRON - Credit Card

Ownership Joint; Date Open 03-2007; Balance Date 04-2008; High/Limit $400; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Closed - Purchased by another lender

FIRST PREMIE - REVOLVING

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 11-2007; High/Limit $325; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account closed at consumer's request

GEMB/CARE CREDIT - Revolving Charge Account

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 09-2008; Balance Amount $354 (should be $0); High/Limit $2000; Account Status Pays account as agreed; 

GEMB/CHEVRON - Revolving Charge Account

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 03-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $219 (should be $60) High/Limit $400; Account Status Pays account as agreed;

GEMB/JCP - REVOLVING

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-1995; Balance Date 08-2008; High/Limit $494; Account Status Lost or Stolen; Comments Closed

GEMB/JCP - Revolving Charge Account

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-1995; Balance Date 09-2003; High/Limit $343; Account Status Account transferred to another office Comments Closed

GEMB/PAYPAL MC REVOLVING

Ownership Individual; Date Open 05-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1508 (should be $0) High/Limit $1500; Account Status Pays account as agreed

GEMBPPPLUS - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Individual; Date Open 05-2007; Balance Date 09-2008; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $200; Account Status Pays account as agreed

HSBC BANK - Credit Card

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1752 (should be $0); High/Limit $1705; Account Status Pays account as agreed

HSBC BANK - Credit Card

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $303 (should be $0 they actually owe me $3); High/Limit $300; Account Status Pays account as agreed

HSBC BANK - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $284 (should be $0 they actually owe me $3); High/Limit $300; Account Status Pays account as agreed

HSBC BANK - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 10-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1664 (should be $0); High/Limit $1705; Account Status Pays account as agreed

LANE BRYANT - Credit Card

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $193 (should be $0); High/Limit $200; Account Status Pays account as agreed

LANE BRYANT RETAIL/SOA - Credit Card, Terms REV

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2007; Balance Date 09-2008; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $200; Account Status Pays account as agreed

THD/CBSD - Charge Account

Ownership Individual; Date Open 10-2006; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1075 (should be $614); High/Limit $1300 (have since had CLD to $800); Account Status Pays account as agreed

THD/CBSD - Revolving Charge Account

Ownership Authorized User; Date Open 07-2006; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1931 (should be $600); High/Limit $1900; Account Status Pays account as agreed

UPTONS - Charge Account

Ownership Individual; Date Open 01-1994; Balance Date 01-2001; Balance Amount $0; High Limit $100; Account Status Pays account as agreed/Account closed by credit grantor

[Anonymous]

Installment Accounts

1ST FRANKLIN - Secured by Household Goods & Collateral

Ownership Joint; Date Open 12-2007; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1382; High/Limit $2073; Account Status Pays account as agreed

ACS/NELLIE MAE - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 11-2001; Balance Date 05-2008; Balance Amount $17358; High/Limit $17358; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Current account/was delinquent 90 days past due date; Prior Delinquency 06-2007

Comments Student loan - payment deferred; 60 Days Late 1 Time; 90 Days Late 1 Time

ACS/NELLIE MAE - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 11-2001; Balance Date 06-2006; Account Status Account transferred to another office; Comments Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

ACS/NELLIE MAE - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 11-2001; Balance Date 06-2006; Account Status Account transferred to another office; Comments Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

ACS/SLMA/BLUEMONT FUND - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 06-2008; Balance Amount $17138; High/Limit $17138; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Current account/was delinquent 90 days past due date; Prior Delinquency 06-2007

Comments Student loan - payment deferred; 60 Days Late 1 Time; 90 Days Late 1 Time

ACS/SLMA/BLUEMONT FUND - Education Loan

 Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 05-2008; Balance Amount $17138; High/Limit $17138; Account Status Account transferred to another office; Prior Delinquency 06-2007; Comments Account closed due to transfer or refinance; 60 Days Late 1 Time; 90 Days Late 1 Time

ACS/SLMA/BLUEMONT FUND - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 06-2006; Account Status Account transferred to another office

AFFILIATED FINANCIAL - Auto Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 07-2001; Balance Date 02-2007; Account Status Paid account/was a repossession; Prior Delinquency 01-2005; Comments Closed

NATIONAL AUTO CREDIT I - Auto Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-1997; Balance Date 07-2000; Account Status Account transferred to another office; Comments Closed - Transferred to another lender

US DEP ED - Student Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 11-1995; Balance Date 08-2008; Balance Amount $1313; High Limit $1313; Account Status Pays account as agreed, Prior Delinquency 09-2007; Comments Student loan deferred

WACH ED FIN - Student Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 11-2001; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High Limit $3175; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred or sold Closed - Account closed due to transfer

WACH/EDU NSTALLMENT

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2005; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2398; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred or sold

WACH/EDU INSTALLMENT

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $5500; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred or sold

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2003; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $3500; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

 Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2578; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2004; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2578; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2002; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $3284; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2005; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2422; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2002; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $3702; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2005; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2750; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 09-2005; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $2398; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

WACHOVIA EDUCATION FIN - Education Loan

Ownership Individual; Date Open 06-2002; Balance Date 06-2006; Balance Amount $0; High/Limit $1870; Account Status Pays account as agreed; Comments Account transferred to another office Closed - Account closed due to transfer or refinance

[treski]

IMHO, what you are asking is a tad overwhelming.  Perhaps if you seek out an understanding, then you can resolve these without the need for a "highlighter" from someone.

For instance, learn what you can from the boards and from the "sticky" posts and the Credit Education ... and when you are stuck, ask a specific question, instead of requesting a full-blown credit overhaul service.

I will give you some of the good information I've absorbed here, but I am still a newbie myself.

Okay ...

You only ever DV a collection agency.  Newbie to newbie, I suggest you post before you do anything at all with a collection agency.

If you want to get rid of your paid baddies, you will need to GW like crazy. 

Besides this, I don't have the creds to help you further.  I would hate to give you bad advice. 

I really hope you get this straightened out.  Good luck, kaandy! 

Please don't feel like I'm trying to get on your case.  I have read your posts and I believe you are not getting responses because what you are asking for is overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Treski, I appreciate your response.

I have read through most of the forum...I browsed for a long while before ever registering and posting myself. I started with very direct questions and got a lot of vague responses. So this is my "CRY" for help hoping for a one shot stab at accomplishing my credit goals. I figure I've wasted so much time asking one by one questions that I may as well try it this way and whoever wants to help can and whoever doesn't will do what they've been doing...read and not post anything or post something vague that doesn't answer my question.

In any case, I've already gotten a couple of good explanations as to where I should start, what I should leave alone, what's good/bad, and a couple of people willing to follow up when they get a chance with more advice. 

But newbie to newbie, thanks again for the response!

[Anonymous]

I would send GW letters to the 2 Cap Ones with lates. Then I would wait a month for the credit cards to post your new $0 balances. Then worry about the rest. You had a lot of cards nearly maxed out and a few over the limit!! I know it's really hard to be patient, but this should have a big impact on your scores. Also it is the easiest, most sure-fire way to raise your score. I can't believe I'm saying this, but hold your horses! I have heard of people having luck asking the the creditors to do a mid-cycle update, but with the way they are chopping down your limits, I'd let sleeping dogs lie.

The only other thing is the collection but I have no experience/knowledge there so I'll be quiet now.

Message Edited by rmily on 09-25-2008 07:43 PM

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. You just don't know how good it feels to be reassured of where to go from here. I felt so lost before. Thanks again!!

[Anonymous]

Did you post all three of you and your husband's FICO scores? I can't find a post with them but then I didn't look too hard either

[Anonymous]

Yes, actually...I did post our scores on another post. This is what it said

I did the FICO trial in 8/2008 and scores were EQ 578 for me and EQ 533 for hubby.

Since then I signed up for BoA Privacy Assist trial and TruCredit, which I believe gives FAKO scores. I am saving the FICO for when I think the changes (payments, etc) have updated...since i know it won't be free again.

NOT SURE WHY THESE ARE SO DIFFERENT CONSIDERING WITHIN THE SAME MONTH...

BoA Privacy Assist 09/11/2008                                      TruCredit 9/25/2008

Mine: EQ 565                   Hubby: EQ 621                      Mine: EQ 570                Hubby: EQ 601

          EX 590                                EX 635                                EX 588                             EX 581

          TU 582                                TU 611                                TU 621                             TU 600

Other past scores given by mortgage companies when we started this journey...not sure what they use but the more recent one didn't give our TU scores.

06/2008

Mine: EQ 614                   Hubby: EQ 451

          EX 533                                EX 561

06/2006

Mine: EQ 634                   Hubby: EQ 618

         EX 629                                 EX 666

         TU 628                                 TU 649

[Anonymous]

Thanks for reposting. That's awesome! When all those balances update your EQ should easily be above 580 and maybe 620 too. Your husband's should be a lot closer to the target also..

One last question, I saw in the mortgage post mention of an auto loan for $300/mo. Didn't see that here.. Is it safe to assume that one is in good standing/no lates?