Ok, first of all, I've pulled my credit reports and plan to send letters to several of the collection agencies. The question is, where do I find the addresses?? These accounts are OLD and I haven't received anything in mail for ages. I can see the names of the collection agencies on my reports, but no contact info. Help? Next question... I have two small current, open credit cards. They have low limits, but I pay regularly. I would like at least one more healthy account on my report. My mother has EXCELLENT credit. She has an Old Navy account, and I am an authorized user. I have a card with my name on it, but I'm not actually "on" the account. I talked to her about actually adding my name to her account so I get the good report on my credit. However, being a department store, the limit on the card isn't terribly high (about $600). It's likely with my mothers good credit that she was probably given just about the highest limit they have..obviously stores like that don't have $3000 card limits. SO, question is, will I hurt myself more by having another card with a fairly low limit, or do the credit agencies realize that stores like that don't give higher limits? I know that sounded confusing...I hope people could follow me...LOL. Any advice would be GREATLY aprreciated! (BTW, I LOVE this site! I've been reading here for a while and the info is PRICELESS!!)
The CRA's should have the addresses, should they not? Since they "verify" the information with the CA's, I would assume they have it... As far as the Old Navy card, I tried the same thing with my fiance's "Lerner/New York & Co." card...(I use the card, and his credit, to my advantage...) However, when I contact the bank to inquire about having it report to the CRA for me their response was "We don't do that" :-(
The CRA will have the addresses for the Tradelines listed...ask them! Authorized User is a good way to quickly build a good credit history. Only problem is that not all CCards report authorized user to CRA's. Since your mom has very good credit, is it possible for her to add you as AU to one of her major credit cards (Visa, M/C) from a bank? There was a thread here about cards that report authorized users. Hopefully your mom has one of those cards, and would add you to the account. You don't even have to get a card or use it, but your mom's good credit history will be reflected in your reports
I believe there is a thread going either here or on creditboards that lists the CC company's that do report AU's to the CRA's and those that do not. Try to find one of her cards that do report. You'll also want her card to have perfect payment history, a high limit (w/low balance), and for it to be an old account. TU usually supplies the address information for tradelines readily. You can search the internet as well for this information. Are they paid collection accounts? out of SOL? be a little cautious here you dont want to wake a sleeping dog! bugman
