Credit help

[Kara]

I have horrible credit- 630 when I checked yesterday. Some of you may remember why it is so bad. My mom opened credit cards in my name when I turned 18 without me knowing. It was in the 500's last time I checked, why is it going up? I have nothing open? Or is it just because I paid off those credit cards (LATE, since I didn't know they existed)? I'm so confused.

Also, where can I get a credit card? Will anyone even give me one with my crappy credit? I want to try to build my credit so I heard getting a CC and just paying it off every month is good. I would just use it for gas.

Someone please help. I don't have anyone to ask.

[SIMMYBABEZ]

Eek.

Dh's credit is almost the same. His is so bad because when he got deployed in 03- he didn't bother to pay some things back. Men

Are you paying anything right now? Car payments? Phone bills? Cable? Electricity? It will go up by doing that.

[guynavywife]

The main reason credit scores go up is time. The longer its been since a negative item has been posted, the higher the number will climb. This is a general answer, because there may have been things you have done specifically, such as buy a car, take out a mortgage, etc, all which, if paid on time, can increase your scores. Also, after 7-10 years, depending on the item, it is supposed to disappear from your credit report, and no longer have an effect on your score.
Another reason is that each of the three credit reporting agencies use a different method to come up with a score. They each also may have or be missing specific items on your credit report.

[Kara]

Originally Posted by SIMMYBABEZ Eek. Dh's credit is almost the same. His is so bad because when he got deployed in 03- he didn't bother to pay some things back. Men Are you paying anything right now? Car payments? Phone bills? Cable? Electricity? It will go up by doing that.

All I have is a cell phone bill and car insurance. Since my cell bill is in my name, will it increase my score?

[guynavywife]

Originally Posted by Kara All I have is a cell phone bill and car insurance. Since my cell bill is in my name, will it increase my score?

yes, over time, if you pay your balance every month.

[Kara]

Originally Posted by guynavywife yes, over time, if you pay your balance every month.

Maybe that is what has been helping it. Awesome! Thanks!

[xTwiSTofFaTEx49]

along the same lines... how do you check your credit score? I'm really curious.

[Bex]

lol 630 is not HORRIBLE credit it's not AMAZING but it's not horrible

[rcwant2be]

Originally Posted by Kara I have horrible credit- 630 when I checked yesterday. Some of you may remember why it is so bad. My mom opened credit cards in my name when I turned 18 without me knowing. It was in the 500's last time I checked, why is it going up? I have nothing open? Or is it just because I paid off those credit cards (LATE, since I didn't know they existed)? I'm so confused. Also, where can I get a credit card? Will anyone even give me one with my crappy credit? I want to try to build my credit so I heard getting a CC and just paying it off every month is good. I would just use it for gas. Someone please help. I don't have anyone to ask.

if your mom opened cards in your name w/o your knowlege, that is fraud & is not your fault. you should not have to pay that money back & you should not be allowing it to negatively affect your credit. you need to get in contact w/ all three credit bureaus & follow the procedures to dispute those cc accounts...tell them that you did not authorize the accounts to be opened.

[rcwant2be]

Originally Posted by xTwiSTofFaTEx49 along the same lines... how do you check your credit score? I'm really curious.

you have to pay...$9.95 w/ one of the credit bureaus, or if you apply for a loan, they'll often give it to you