I abused my credit as a young adult but I've been able to bring it up to a somewhat acceptable 615. What are some agencies that I might have good luck with? Of course, these places also need to report positive as well as negative. Any help would be appreciated. Also, exactly how terrible is a 615? Am I still going to be automatically denied?
206137
615 is not a good score. Depending on what is in your credit files you may be able to qualify for a car loan at slightly higher than normal rates. Major unsecured cards would not be approved. You may be approved for small credit lines at a dept store(Target,Macy's) or gas cards. But I can't be sure because I don't know what is in your credit files that makes your score low.\n\nGo to www.myfico.com and look in the Credit Education section and learn about credit scoring and what you might do to bring your score up.\n\nGood Luck
553452
Sounds like a prepaid credit card may be the way for you to go... \n\nHere is a link to one that says "No credit or bad credit OK, NO credit check required, No employment required"\n\nhttp://www.fastcreditcardoffer.com/credit-card-search/credit-rating/bad-credit-no-credit/default.aspx\n\nGood luck.\n\n.
158930
I don't believe it is fair.  There could be something on your credit report that is there erroneously.  Plus, on top of that, each time a company runs your credit it shows up as an inquiry on your report & that makes it look like you are applying for credit all over the place.  Then when you actually apply for credit, the credit issuing agency sees all the inquiries & that has a bearing on whether you are approved or disapproved for future credit.
613653
Nonsense. Any credit line that you pay ON TIME consistently is good credit. What's killing your scores are the negative tradelines. Those will stay on your reports for 7-1/2 years from the date of first delinquency. You can try disputing anything that is older than that or that is not 100% accurate and you might get lucky and have some deleted. \n\nThere are loan companies that will give you a loan with lousy credit, but they are going to kill you with interest. That is the penalty for bad credit.  \n\nYou can probably qualify for a secured credit card to help rebuild your credit. That means you will have to give them some amount of money up front, as security, and that amount will be your credit limit. Most will convert from secured to unsecured after a period of on-time, never late payments. \n\nClean up the baddies and your scores will get better. Keep your current credit clean as a whistle. Live within your means.
609922
Pretty soon you will start getting offers from credit card companies (Householdbank, Orchard, First Premiere) and although they start you at a tiny $250 limit, it is a way to start re-establishing credit.  Just charge something small and make payments.  I know it looks like there is no hope, but there is.  Also, order a copy of your credit report and see what is on there.  Try and challenge anything.  Sometimes the credit agencies are so lazy they won't verify anything.  Is your BK dismissed?  Sometimes if it is dismissed, you can have it removed.  I just got mine removed from Experian.  Good luck.
595066
Try Chase. Or capital one. They both gave me credit cards when I had no credit. Then just use them and pay more than the minimum payment (or pay all of it) and it will help establish your credit. You may also think about asking your financial institution. They may have ways to help you as well.
596643
Some employers interpret "bad credit" as a sign of irresponsibility.\n\nThere are many employers/jobs that will check your credit.\n\nMy cousin missed out on a correction officer's job because of bad credit.\n\nAt any rate, start working on cleaning up your credit now.\n\nYou don't need an agency.  You can call creditors, explain your situation, make a payment plan, ask for interest relief, etc.\n\nMany people have debt.  To have debt and to have bad credit is not one and the same.\n\nBad credit means you don't pay your bills, borrow or spend more than you can pay, etc.
88979
Sorry to say there are no "magic bullets" you can use to quickly fix your credit score.\n\nFirst step is to understand exactly how your credit score is put together.  Go to www.myfido.com and readup!  These are the folks who wrote and licensed the scoring system used by the credit agencies.\n\nNext, you need to start cleaning up your credit report.  You can get a free copy from www.annualcreditreport.com.\n\nNow you gotta fix it by removing negative entries, deleting inaccurate information, and challenging records that may be old and outdated.\n\nBelow is my "warchest" of informational sites that will instruct you how to go about it.  It also contains some sample letters to send to credit agencies, creditors, and (if necessary) government agencies.\n\nIf you need any help, advice, or encouragement contact me. I've helped a lot of people do this.
446951
1. Making payments doesn't always raise your score.  If you pay it religiously it might go up but not much...it would have to be awhile.  Like a Credit Card, it should come off after 7 years.\n2.  Orchard Bank is a good one. I am using that one to repair my credit and they aren't outrageous at all.  Have had them over 2 years and they took off the annual fee for me because I never was late making a payment.  Repairing your credit score won't happen over night...takes alot of effort and patience!
566630
Answers to your questions:\n1.  I'm assuming you're talking about how often you should check your credit.  I would say at leat every 6 months.  Checking your own credit will not lower your score.\n\nIf you suspect you're at risk for identity theft, you'll want to check it more often.\n\nIf you are planning to buy a home or car, you'll want to keep a close eye on it, as well.\n\n2.  I've heard conflicting advice on that.  I've heard 2 points each time.  But I don't think that's correct.  If you're applying for credit left and right, you're going to look like you're desperate.  Lenders don't want to see a bunch of inquiries on your credit report.\n\n3.  Call the credit card company and ask.  If you have been a good customer they may be willing to raise your limits.\n\n4. Where did I get these answers?  I'm a mortgage loan officer.  I specialize in loans for people with credit problems.  I don't like just turning people down and telling them to have a nice life.  So, I decided to educate myself about credit.  That way instead of just telling my clients that I can't approve them, I can tell them what they need to do to improve their credit, so I can approve them in the future.  I've read tons of books, articles, etc.  Plus, I've been through it myself.  My credit was pretty bad at one point.\n\nI've also written a few articles about credit scoring that you may find helpful:\n\nhttp://leahifft.com/credit_bureau_score.htm\nhttp://leahifft.com/how_can_i_increase_my_credit_score.htm\nhttp://leahifft.com/keeping_your_credit_report_clean.htm
290182
I think you should go to a credit counselor and then a lawyer.  Both will have ideas on what steps to take to get you out of your current difficulties.  Both initial visits should be free.  An friend of mine chose to quit her chapter 13 because she felt the repayment was too high.  You can at least ask about that or maybe making it a chapter 7 so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  You should be able to keep your house and truck.  Really go and investigate.  It can't get much worse I'm sure and at least you will be moving forward.
407231
Credit limits don't effect your credit scores, being need the max limits do.  But as you stated, you're not even close.\n\nI am almost in the same situation as you as far as ridiculous limits.  They increase the limits hoping you will use it one day and thus earn interest from you.  It's like the rebates you have to mail in after purchasing an item - between 70 - 80% of people never send them in.  They are hoping you use them.  \n\nI accidently dropped a credit card at work one day and an 18 year-old employee found it.  I didn't notice it, but he decided to look up my personal info on our business computer and called the CC card company.  He found out I had a $72,000 limit and was brazen enough to ask me about it.  I told him "That's what happens when you manage you money and pay your bills on time".  He was from a poor family that didn't teach him much and show him about finances.  He then stated "you could go out a buy a new car!" (I drive a 10 year old VW).  I retorted by stating "Yes, but my car is paid for and runs great!  What's the point going into debt for something that depreciates so much?"  He stated "Well, you have the money.  If it was me, that's what I would do".  I then ended the conversation by saying "That's why 18 year-olds don't get big credit limits - they don't have enough income or experience managing their finances".  I then fired him two days later for misuse of the company computer systems for accessing my personal data - he signed a "computer usage agreement" at hire that included misuse of other employees personal information contained within the company servers.
502863
I am ever so slowly working on repairing mine. I went from having bad credit to no credit and now I have recieved offers from about 4 different places (two of which are department stores, the other two are regular credit cards), so I am just at the bottom, but I am going the right way! (My bad credit was caused by my getting married too young and having an ex who got me to sign checks that we knew would bounce...I'm just damn lucky I didn't end up in jail!) But I don't know how good your credit score has to be to get one of those home loans. I'm not to that point yet. My personal near future worry is paying off student loans since I will be finishing up a masters degree, so I won't be able to think about a house for a while yet. But it sounds like you (and me) are going the right direction! Good Luck!
613774
here you go\ncheck my profile there is a link that goes to the company with this text\n"We have over 50 Banks & Companies that offer Bad Credit Unsecured Credit Cards and Merchant Cards to people with good credit, no credit, bad credit, or even a bankruptcy. - NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. Apply Online."\nit says no credit
656871
To get a credit card, it takes more than just a good score.\n\nPull your credit report to make sure that it is reporting correctly and dispute items that are not.\n\nAlthough, at 650, that is pretty decent to get a good credit card - depending on which bureau it is under. Go to www.whogavemecredit.com and search that score to get an idea of what others have gotten with the same score.\n\nIf you have no credit history, that can be a problem - start out with getting a secured card. Usually after 6 months or so a bank will turn it into a real credit card with a limit. Don't take out loans to raise your score. Credit is supposed to be a tool, not put you into debt!\n\nCheck out creditnet.com and creditboards.com to see if theres info out there that can help you get started!\n\nGood luck!
476333
Applying for "a bunch" in the last six months is negative toward your credit history.  Stop by your local bank and see if you can borrow a small personal loan...or maybe buy a car?
617941
Of course, this is exactly WHY you shouldn't allow yourself to GET bad credit.  It is extremely costly, because it forces you to lose out on good opportunities like this.  There's a very high likelihood that you WON'T be able to get credit anywhere.  \n\nHere's what I would consider.  Try some of the high risk credit card lenders.  See if you can get a home-equity line for your home.  You might also be able to depend on 'trade credit' for part of it (foods, etc.), but you'll still need enough to equip the place, and frankly, your choices are very limited due to your past record.  I hope you can find something.  Otherwise, you'll just have to wait 7 years until your credit clears up.\n\nBest of luck to you.