The CCCs owe me!

[vanillabean]

Let's say you have two credit cards.

One has a reported balance of $10, and the other has one of -$20, due to a refund transaction. The overall balance (and util) then is less than $0.

Is that better, the same or worse for your FICO score than a zero or small plus balance?

[haulingthescoreup]

Negative balances (where you have overpaid, or returned an item, etc.) are treated as $0 balances for scoring.

So for scoring purposes, you have one card with a $10 balance, and one with $0.

[RobertEG]

Ditto!  The CRAs are not creditors.

[vanillabean]

Thanks to both of you.

You live and learn every day.