Ok, I just pulled my Equifax credit report again, and I am not happy I have a 602 credit score, not many people look at that as good, I dont that is all that matters. My question to the smart people of this board is this, my score is bad due in part to me being lazy about my bills, and not taking a more aggresive approach, although I have some late pays as recent as 01/03 in fact I have 3 in the last year, when do late pays start counting less toward the score, or better yet can someone give advice on how if at all possible to get rid of them. I also have an I9 from 9/97 and anytime I try and do something with that the collection agencies start calling, so being cautious there or should I? as of the viewing of my report I still show balances on some of my smaller stuff but it has all been paid off doubt that helps much. And my inquiries is there a way to dispute them, I cant dispute them online and they are legit inquiries. Before I leave let me say thanks to whomever replies favorable or negative.
Recent late pays are score killers. DH had one show up this month (long story I'm fighting it), and it knocked is score back 55 points. You might try a goodwill letter, but if you are lazy as you describe, and this is a pattern, you may have a hard time I don't know when they quit hurting as much, I disputed some older ones off (over two years), and would gain a whopping 1 or 2 points.
Yeah I just had two 30day-lates removed that were from back in 2000, and my score actually went down 10 points. (at the same time my credit card balance increased...) I think what happens is that if there are any recent lates, that hurts a lot. If you remove a subsequent old late, you won't see an improvement unless you have no other lates at all. So, in order of precedence: Any lates--big FICO hit Recent Late--big FICO hit Old Lates--minimal impact, unless it counts as the "any late"
