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8 votes
3 answers
2k views

How can a senior finance building a home with no current credit score but good equity in current home?

Many seniors have paid off their mortgages and car loans and haven't needed to borrow money in years, hence have no current credit score. Senior wants to downsize home but there is nothing suitable on ...
Eggy's user avatar
  • 368
0 votes
1 answer
239 views

Is it a good idea to take a loan just to build borrowing history? (United States)

Context My current car, a hand-me-down from a family member, is 10+ years old with ~100k miles and starting to have enough problems that maintenance costs are quickly piling up. Over the last 2 years ...
Donuts's user avatar
  • 178
5 votes
1 answer
402 views

Will paying off a defaulted loan from 20 years ago affect my credit?

I defaulted on a loan 20+ years ago, which has since fallen off my credit report. My credit score today is excellent. If I were to pay the balance being asked for by the current debt owner/collector (...
user11122233341's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
129 views

How to maintain high credit score while opening too many credit cards?

Multiple credit cards have new user promo offers ($100 off first payment or similar). I wish to take full advantage of these offers, and open about 4 new credit cards within the next year. However, I ...
whoisit's user avatar
  • 103
1 vote
1 answer
389 views

Should I put my mortgage in deferment?

Times have been rough! I lost my job and despite interviewing I have only been ghosted by recruiters and companies. I have started offering tech/software consulting services but given I am new to the ...
perennial_noob's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
185 views

Getting a HELOC to buy an investment property with bad credit but fully paid off house

I've been doing a lot of research but can't seem to find a definitive solution to my somewhat unique situation. My wife and I own an investment property in PA (currently used as a short term rental / ...
Yev's user avatar
  • 111
2 votes
1 answer
173 views

Unexplained FICO drop of 140 points [duplicate]

My FICO score dropped from 815 to 675 (a drop of 20%) as reported by two credit cards two months ago. I ordered three credit reports, including one from Lexis Nexis. I do not see any oddities. No late ...
paulj's user avatar
  • 1,166
2 votes
2 answers
390 views

Is it possible to force-update Equifax that a specific credit card balance has been paid off?

I called credit card issuer and they told me that they reported the latest $0 balance to credit bureaus. I logged in creditkarma.com and can see that at least Transunion report shows latest $0 balance ...
user4910112's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
319 views

If I get a credit card without providing a SSN/ITIN, will they still report my activities like normal?

I am a new student in US with no SSN/ITIN at the moment. I want to apply for unsecured Bank of America credit card and secured capital one and citi/US bank credit cards. But I don't know if I get ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
197 views

Do secured and unsecured credit cards have a different effect on credit history/score?

I have a regular credit card from Bank of America, and I want to apply for another secured credit cards from capitol one and citi or US bank. What I want to know is: 1- Are there any differences ...
user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
7k views

Is it common practice for credit card company to demand to see your income tax forms?

I recently applied for a credit card that my wife has. I was responding to a great offer that I believe this credit card company sent me based on my good credit score and so on. When I applied online, ...
Daniel's user avatar
  • 355
14 votes
4 answers
4k views

Is it better to have/use more credit cards to build credit history/score?

If someone has a credit card with $5,000-$10,000 credit line, and the average amount of monthly payments of this person is around $1500, what is the best scenario for this person to increase their ...
user avatar
9 votes
3 answers
3k views

Will closing a checking/saving account have a bad effect on my credit report?

I opened a saving and a checking account in Chase bank. But I decided to close them. I want to know will this has a bad effect on my credit, etc? I also like to know should I pay money to close my ...
user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
200 views

Which is better to build credit score? Becoming an authorized user of another credit card or get a personal secured credit card?

I am new to the US with a F-2(student dependent) visa, I want to have credit history and build credit score in the US. I think I have three options but don't know which is better to do or maybe better ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
212 views

How long after being denied for a credit card should I wait to apply again?

I live in the US since November 2019 and have been an authorized user on my partner's credit card since then, which resulted in a credit score of 787. I opened my own bank account in October 2020 with ...
EUgirl's user avatar
  • 11
4 votes
3 answers
517 views

Keep secured credit card open?

I am young and want to try to start building credit. The tellers at SunTrust advised that I start with a secured credit card, and eventually I will transfer to an unsecured one. Is the transfer like ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 321
18 votes
7 answers
7k views

Open many credit cards while I am young?

I just turned 19 years old and want to start planning for a future of good credit. Should I open many credit cards now so that in 10 years I will have a good history with many agencies, or is it ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 321
0 votes
0 answers
59 views

Establishing / freezing credit for a new immigrant?

A relative migrated to the US and obtained permanent residence, then citizenship. They'd like to freeze their credit, but they don't yet have any to freeze. Since they now have a social security ...
Ken - Enough about Monica's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
195 views

Is it standard that a mortgage company won't pull your credit report while you're living abroad?

I'm going to be moving back to the states soon after living in Canada full a few years. I called wells Fargo to look into getting a mortgage today, and they told me that they will not pull my credit ...
user278411's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
147 views

18 year old building credit

I'm 18 and currently my credit score was 524, only because theres an overdue bill of $500 from when I was a minor in my derogatory marks. I have disputed it through credit karma for Tranunion and it ...
Stressed4Success's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
681 views

Medical bill sent straight to collection agency

I was very surprised to receive a letter from a collection agency regarding a medical bill incurred during my wife's pregnancy last year. We never received any correspondence via mail, e-mail, or ...
cmevets's user avatar
  • 103
3 votes
1 answer
137 views

first credit card for H1B worker

I see a question Looking to get my first credit card but that seem to focus on students. I have a friend, who just came on H1B with zero credit history. The bank that has the regular account for him/...
riya's user avatar
  • 1,245
5 votes
4 answers
349 views

Does opening a checking account cause a hard credit pull?

I was going to open a new bank account, particularly the Wells Fargo promotion that puts $400 in your account if you meet some direct deposit requirements. I called and asked if they will do a "hard" ...
Sun - FE's user avatar
  • 211
7 votes
2 answers
314 views

How to monitor for identity theft of minor child

It's important to monitor your own credit for signs of identity theft and for errors, because recovery can be time consuming and expensive. What steps should parents take to monitor their minor ...
lizziv's user avatar
  • 1,746
1 vote
1 answer
219 views

How can I understand historical changes in my credit score?

In October 2018, my wife's transunion credit score blipped down from a consistent 780 to a consistent 680. When I called to complain, Transunion noted that one of her credit cards seems to lag behind ...
YGA's user avatar
  • 253
8 votes
2 answers
333 views

Credit Freeze for Minor Child

I was told that identity theft of a minor's credit is a very sought after goal for thieves. Is it true that credit agencies will offer lines of credit to individuals who are not yet 18? Is there any ...
jxramos's user avatar
  • 1,441
0 votes
2 answers
107 views

How to appeal or remove the credit check taken on a Lender?

I was working with a car dealer to purchase a car. I realized that , Dealer ran the credit check and applied for a lender which i wasn't aware. I was hoping to get loan from LenderA. But dealer was ...
goofyui's user avatar
  • 1,117
10 votes
4 answers
2k views

Should I max out my first credit card in order to build credit if I can pay the balance immediately?

I was just approved for my first credit card. I will be making a large purchase soon which will exceed my credit limit. I could split the purchase between cash/debit card and my new credit card or ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 203
2 votes
0 answers
257 views

Is it possible to tell if someone is a U.S citizen or not just by looking at their credit report? [duplicate]

I am not sure if this question fits this stack exchange, but I could not any other that seemed more appropriate. Here it goes. Say person A is a U.S citizen with 3 years of credit history. Person B ...
dezdichado's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
254 views

How do I find out what is the minimum credit rating for a grad school loan (or undergrad) without a cosigner?

I'm in the US, and I'm trying to make a decision about my educational strategy. I have a basic idea of what I can do for unsecured undergrad bank loan, and what credit rating I would need. How can I ...
jamesson's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
1 answer
393 views

Dispute credit history hurt unknowingly by parents

This is question is about my friend's current situation that I found out about and now my dad and I are trying to help him. Background: My friend (22) had to go to the hospital (I believe he was 18+ ...
theblindprophet's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
416 views

What is the most financially appropriate approach to flipping and selling this home?

A few years ago, I purchased a home at $142,000 that has 12 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, a workroom, a basement with cement flooring, and an attic. In my divorce, it was awarded to me, as my ex was ...
CDove's user avatar
  • 171
2 votes
4 answers
266 views

No credit history. How to improve rating?

My partner and I are hoping to get a mortgage and buy a house in the next few years. A potential problem is that I have essentially no credit history and thus I have a low credit rating. (My partner ...
user71204's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
912 views

How to transfer credit history to another bank?

I am planing to make first credit card (BOA secured credit card). Also, I want get UA explorer card later (I understand it is need high credit score). I am trying to build credit history by this BOA ...
Yuta315's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
123 views

Credit after a car loan

I just passed year two of my car loan and I'm planning to use my tax refund to pay it down. This will most likely shorten the loan a year. I'm thinking about how I can keep my credit score and such ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 137
4 votes
2 answers
254 views

Student loans and credit score

A friend of mine hasn't been paying his student loans off in years now and obviously his credit has suffered. This friend is convinced that if he waits out 7 years of the loan it is taken off his ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 137
1 vote
0 answers
52 views

Regarding leasing removal

I am living in shared accommodation. I am a student and not working yet so I don't have a SSN. But due to some reason I want to move out from apartment and my name is also on the lease, so I need all ...
pooja gajera's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
254 views

When / how is credit card interest charged? [duplicate]

I'm currently a student in college in the United States. I have a scholarship, and I work, so I'm in the fortunate position of earning more money than I'm spending. I have a credit card, but pretty ...
Alecto Irene Perez's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Authorized user on Lowe’s credit card (only credit history besides phone bill) how will this affect me when applying for an auto loan?

I’m 18 with a credit score of ~719. My grandfather added me on his Lowe’s credit card ($8,000 limit). He’s had this credit card for over two years and it shows up on my credit report as if I’ve had it ...
Erin Large's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
197 views

Best way to build a credit history for a graduate student in the US

I'm a first year graduate student in the US, and I'm considering several options to start building credit history. 1) Apply for a local credit union secured credit card (without annual fee) 2) Apply ...
user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
556 views

How to build up credit fast?

I live in the United States, am around 22 years of age, and recently graduated college with around $12,000 in student loans. I have had a full time job for around 4 months that pays around $55,000 a ...
Jimenemex's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
2 answers
288 views

Credit Report debt expiration limit: original creditor vs. Collection

I am confused about how the statute of limitations with regards to debt applies to what is reported on an actual credit report from the 3 credit reporting agencies in the United States. Researching ...
Siler's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
2 answers
277 views

What is the potential downside to freezing additional credit reporting agencies?

I have had a credit freeze on the big 3 credit reporting agencies for many years, and now I'm hearing about a 4th, Innovis (since the latest Equifax breach). Is there a down-side to freezing Innovis ...
piton's user avatar
  • 489
6 votes
1 answer
133 views

Do lenders have a practical obligation for prompt/accurate credit reporting?

Joe had a high-balance loan from Acme Bank and paid it off. Acme reported to the credit bureaus about every 30 days during the loan, up until the day after the scheduled payoff. On that last day, ...
WBT's user avatar
  • 2,905
3 votes
1 answer
142 views

In the US, does getting a loan with a cosigner, help your credit rating?

Say person A has plenty of money and income but is new to the US (or for whatever reason) has a near non-existent credit history. Person A has the idea of getting a car loan to help build the credit ...
Fattie's user avatar
  • 13.8k
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

How do I prevent my ex from making bank and credit card accounts using my son's SSN?

As you may see from the history of my questions, my ex-wife is a financial disaster. Forever out of money, forever on the edge of crisis, forever not wanting to hold down a normal 9-5 job. But show ...
NeedAdvice's user avatar
  • 3,817
21 votes
4 answers
8k views

How to recover from credit score hit from paying off loan?

My credit score recently took a dip after I paid off my student loans recently. When I look at the credit report via mint it shows a "not bad" rating for number of accounts opened. ("not bad" is the ...
James Wierzba's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Do I not have a credit score?

Today I tried to access my credit report for the first time from the three major agencies using annualcreditreport.com. When accessed through Experian, it gave me a generic error that my report wasn'...
The Unknown Dev's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
519 views

Opening 5 credit cards at once with no history to ruin, is it a good idea?

I have no credit. I'm a student, who has never had a credit card short of a secured card I had a few years ago that I was poorly advised to close, and now I'm trying to build credit. Conventional ...
TheEnvironmentalist's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
19k views

Can I check US credit score from abroad?

I permanently left the US a few years ago and I am no longer permanent resident. Is there a way to check my own credit score for personal verification purposes (the major credit agencies require a ...
zzzbbx's user avatar
  • 319

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