Negative balance counts as a non zero balance?

[Anonymous]

I am trying to let only 1 of my cards report a balance for fico maximization. Now after I paid down my Amex bce to 0 balance just before the statement date, I had to return a purchased item. The account was credited the amount bringing the balance on the account to -$23 on the day the statement was cut. Does this count as a balance or will the card report a 0 balance for fico scoring?

[Anonymous]

It should report as $0.

Are you a member of either Credit Karma or Credit Check Total?

[bada_bing]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I am trying to let only 1 of my cards report a balance for fico maximization. Now after I paid down my Amex bce to 0 balance just before the statement date, I had to return a purchased item. The account was credited the amount bringing the balance on the account to -$23 on the day the statement was cut. Does this count as a balance or will the card report a 0 balance for fico scoring?

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Counts as $0

[Anonymous]

Awesome. Thanks. I do have a credit karma account

[Anonymous]

Good to hear.  Since you have a CK account, you can answer this question for yourself.  Wait a week to be sure that EQ and TU have posted the new balance, and then look.

I'm a big supporter of people using the forum to solicit opinions.  But anytime you have an opportunity to answer a question by yourself and in a manner that admits of no factual doubt, that's preferable to asking strangers on the internet.  The person who chimes in might be mistaken.  With Karma or CCT, however, you are getting an absolutely factual answer by inspecting the report itself.

[Anonymous]

Well. I will report the balance from credit karma next week.

[Anonymous]

I have had this happen multiple times. It always reported as 0.