How do I know whats wrong with my credit?
I am 19 years old and I haev tried to get some credit facilities since I was 18. I decided to get a copy of my credit file because I have been refused credit. But the funny thing is, I got 3 credit reports from 3 of the top reference agencies (Call credit, Equifax, Experian) and there is nothing negative on my credit file, No CCJ's, nothing from CIFAS, no insolvenvies, no bankrupcies, no missed payments and I have active accounts, So what the hell is wrong? I've been told it's my age and I should try and become credit active but how do I do that if I am being refused credit all the time? I have tried store cards, Capital One, they have declined me too!
Public Comments
- some times u cant get credit without a credit history.i.e you've never had credit so they don't have anything to check against and they won't give you it coz they don't no if you are a good payer.
- Best to start by getting department store credit cards. They're easier to get than major credit cards. Every time you apply for credit and are denied, it shows up too so be careful.
- if you're a student you can probably get a student credit card through Visa or Mastercard. Otherwise it's best to start at a department store like Target or Kohl's cause usually they'll give you one of those with no credit as long as you have a debit card :) also, you are entitled to a free annual credit report from the government, so please don't use one of those credit tracking free trials to get your free credit report. go here: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
- Try obtaining credit from department stores, get a line of credit overdraft protection at your bank and use it very sparingly as this will report to your credit, try Capital One as they are very easy to get a credit card through with a $300 limit. This will help establish and build your credit. Most financing companies want to not only see no derogatory credit but an established credit history to base a decision upon. The above steps will help you establish your credit history. Revolving debt is very important because creditors can tell a lot by looking and reviewing how you use your revolving debt. There is also a method known as piggybacking credit that you can try if you know of anyone willing to assist you with this method. Read the blog listed below about credit building and it should provide you with some very valuable information on piggybacking as well as credit building and rebuilding.
- It is your age. Do you own a car? If so is it in your name or your parents? Get it put in your name if you can. Also, ask these people, and explain what you just did above, that may change. Also, TransUnion is another agency to check, but if these three are fine that one probably is too. Also, if you don't, get a checking account in your name. That will help build credit.
- Hi,apply for a credit card pay it off quick also apply for a catalogue.You can purchase a couple of items if you know some one who runs a catalogue order out of that this will give you a credit rating.All you do is pay them off quick.Good Luck
- If all of what you said is correct, your problem will most likely stem from you being so young. In industry language your credit file is "thin" meaning you do not have enough credit history for Fair Isaacs (the maker of the credit score) to go by. Hope this helps.
- i had this problem. the trouble is the more u ask for credit the more it goes against you. start off with store cards and also your much more likely to get credit cards if your not asking for platinum,or low interest to start with. try MBNA if you have not already or CAPITAL ONE.
- Make sure you are on the electoral register and then get the phone bill in your name. Next take your credit file to the bank (not building society) and if they turn you down show them the file and they can overwrite the computerised decision. Thats the best way to start. : )
- First of all do you have a job and SS No? Do you have any credit cards at all, like Store Credit cards or Gas Credit cards? If you have any then use them and pay in full, on time when they are due. That will establish your credit worthiness. If you have none then apply at your Local stores, like Sears, Penney's, Meijers, Wall Mart , K mart or Gas cards. keep applying until you get one then use it and pay on time. That will get things started, and you will be getting offers to open credit card accounts with different Banks, and you will have many choices. Have patience until you get your first one. Keep applying at other stores, until someone gives you the first one. Best of Luck
- always get your credit report once a year from http://www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the actual free report you are required to get by the government and you do not have to join a service or follow the stupid rules and pay those sites that advertise "Free Credit Report" . They are not free and are out to gyp you out of your money for something the law actually requires you get for free. In your case, if it is age then you need to go borrow and buy a car or something that you can afford. If it is not age, it is the amount of your bills when compared to the amount of your income. You must have excess income to get credit or how could you pay.
- Start with a secured Credit Card!
- First off I would like to say that it is probably because of your age...... for the reason that you probably don't have too much positive factors or too much of a credit history at all and this is affecting your credit....... If you have recently pulled your report from: Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union (these are the 3 major CRA's - or aka..... credit reporting agencies) look over them carefully....... I am going to take a guess and say that you probably don't have too much on your report at all...... you state that you have active accounts..... what type of accounts are they?? Are they revolving accounts or some other type of accounts??? Also how long has these accounts been open...... a short period of time or over 1 year?? Having accounts open that have only been open for a short period of time is a negatve factor (not a negative on your report) this is because it only has a short payment history, so the creditors don't really know how you pay your bills weather they are always ontime..... etc. Also are the active accounts lines of credit/credit cards.... if so are they near the credit limit on these accounts??? this will hurt your credit of being maxed out on your credit..... Also, have you been applying for credit alot in a short period of time??? If so I would have to say stop..... as this also hurts your credit.... it looks like your about to go on a shopping spree and not be able to pay them back (these are also known as a hard pull or a hard hit..... keep in mind when you pull your own credit, your requests for your credit report is only visable to you and is not on any other reports, it, this is also known as a soft hit or soft pull, as the request for your credit file/report is only viewable by you...... Also, not to sound degrading, but do you have a job??? also how long have you been at that job??? This can result in you not getting credit..... as the creditor looks at your ability to pay the debt back.... having no job, a job for a short period of time or a low income job will affect this decision especially starting out........... Another suggestion...... stay away from store cards...... they may be the easiest to get (from what I have heard) but they also come with a high APR (interest rate) usually in the low to mid 20%, so it can become quite expensive if not used properly and possible that it can only be used at that store only....... If you can't get a credit card..... I would suggest doing one or both of these...... 1.) Talk with your bank (like Bank of America, etc.) and tell them that your trying to establish credit and wish to open a secured credit card...... for those who don;t know what a secured credit card is - this is where you open a savings account with the bank and they give you a credit card with a credit limit equal to the amount deposited..... you can't withdraw the money from the savings account as this is set so if you don't pay your bill the bank doesn't loose money.... however the bank will report this to the CRA's as a credit card and not a secured credit card so be sure that you pay the bill like a credit card and this will help your credit, but default and they will report that as well, even though they have the security deposit....... in essence your using your own money as more or less a line of credit....... or 2.) Ask your relatives, parents etc.... and find out if they have a credit card that they have had for at least a year preferably longer if possible that is in and always has been in good standings..... ask them if they would help you build credit by putting you as an authorized user on their account, you can also tell them that you don't care about getting a card under their account or even knowing their account number etc.... you may also consider offering them a little each month to pay on the account (keep in mind I am not suggesting to open a business of doing this practice..... but it is nice to help FAMILY MEMBERS out.) but I have heard that the rules and regulations will be changing for this in September of 2007 so you might want to act as quickly as possible....... Sorry for the long post..... but there is a lot of info to cover.... keep in mind that I am not a financial advisor, but I do watch Suze Orman (http://suzeorman.com) (Saturday nights on CNBC - Tivo it,,,, it is good) and have been working to improve a few minor infractions on my credit report........ Hope this helps and Good Luck (keep all of us informed on the progress)
* Some answers may have been provided by Yahoo! Answers.