Hi, I have been lurking around the board for a few months checking things out and trying to pick up some pointers. I thought I would finally give it a shot and ask some questions. Here goes. Here is the good news: FCNB $525.00 LIMIT (partially secured; opened 02/00) ARIA $500.00 LIMIT (opened 11/00, no increases yet) CAP1 $400.00 LIMIT (limit was $200.00 until 1 week ago when I called asking for a limit increase; approved $200.00 increase) CAP1 $200.00 LIMIT (oldest tradeline opened 06/99 they reopened after account was charged off. No increases available with this type of account. I plan to close 06/01.) CAP 1 $200.00 LIMIT (opened 12/00; Kmart card. I plan to close). CHEVRON $300.00 LIMIT (opened 10/00. Credit builder account.) AT&T CELL NO LIMIT (opened 07/00. Account began life as a $200.00 service limit account. After 6 months of excellent payments, they dropped the service limit) CAR LOAN $13000.00 (opened 04/00, horrible interest rate. I'd like to refinance) All of these accounts appear on my credit report as: OPEN/NEVER LATE Now for the bad news: 1. Tons of inquiries (beginning today, I am swearing off the stuff!!) 2. Cross Country Charge off 06/98 (I know, I know. Big mistake!) 3. Capital One Paid chargeoff 07/99. 4. Some small piddly collections, mostly doctor bills between 1997 and 1999 before I got some health insurance. Ok, here is where I need some advice. I haven't requested my FICO score (I've been too afraid). I want/NEED to do some major cleanup here. I think the inquiries and the collections are killing me. What's the best way to tackle this or where should I begin? I understand that a department store card does wonders for your score, but I can't get anyone to grant me one. Any advice where I could request all three reports at once to begin the cleanup? Thanks, Michelle M
Hi Michelle! I am not an expert on here like Lizard and Momof3, but I was in your place just a few weeks ago. I ordered my credit report from a company called Confidential Credit. They pulled all 3 bureau's and it is laid out very nicely. It cost $29.95. Now, after religiously reading this board 3 times a day for the past 3 weeks, I found out that I didn't have to pay that much (but it was very convenient). If you go to www.worthknowing.com you can get your credit report from TransUnion for free (no strings attached, really!). Equifax will sell you your report and FICO score on-line for $12.95 (or $9.95 for report only). Just go to www.equifax.com. I did not pull Experian alone because I got that from my "Tri-Report" with Confidential Credit. Anyway, hope this helps. Everyone on this board has started somewhere (most of us at the bottom ) and we are all here because we want to improve our current credit. Just by taking an interest in your credit is a huge step in the right direction. There are tons of success stories on this board and I intend to be one of them (with a lot of hard work, Junum, and ya'll's help of course!). Good luck and don't be discouraged. It could always be worse!!!! Tx Mommy
