Why SO low?

[Anonymous]

My FICO is 594.  I have deliquencies on my record, but they are 6 six years old (one more year and they are OFF). I'm using about 75% of (very low line) credit, but I pay more than my balance on time, every month for 3 years.  Further, I have paid OFF $40,000 in student loans (on-time payments for years) and currently pay a car loan on-time for 2 years.  My credit score has been moving up from 500 over the past year.  I understand the deliquencies (about 4 total = <$1000) and the high use of credit (but, Jesus, my credit line is about $1500) lower my score, but doesn't the fact that I can pay the bank responsibly count for anything?

[MidnightVoice]

I came to this board because I had a great payment history and a couple of old baddies and my score sucked.

I learned about utilization of credit, got a few cards and used them very little and worked on the baddies.

Scores go up!

[Anonymous]

That 75% utilization will cost you 50 to 70 FICO points, even if your payments are on-time and the full line of credit is miniscule.  FICO doesn't really care if it's $75 on a $100 credit card, or $7,500 on four credit cards whose CLs total $10,000.  It'll hurt just as bad.  So pay it down, and watch your score recover.