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Should I remove closed accounts?

Date: Tue, 10/23/2007 - 13:35

Submitted by anonymous
on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 13:35

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 16


I am trying to improve my credit score (and doing anything possible to gain points). I have paid off all my current debt. I have some derogatory accounts that belonged to my ex-husband that will not come off when I dispute and the creditors won't repond to my attempts to pay off so I am unsure what to do with those.

And then the only other things I have are several of my old credit cards, that are in good standing and either paid off or never used, some from almost 10 years ago that I am sure if I request they will be taken off completely since they are so old but will this do anything to my score? Will it bring it up be cause I will have less cards listed (they all show closed currently) or will it go down having less positive reports than negative?

Any help appreciated. I am also baffled on what to do about the creditors that won't reply to me. I want to just pay this off and get it off my report (and its not even mine!).

Thanks in advance.


Sometimes to much open credit is not a good thing. If your old open credit lines and your current ones add up to too much available credit it can lower your score. I also don't understand why the old ones from your husband won't be removed when disputed. Hoe can they validate them if they are not yours?


lrhall41

Submitted by Frogpatch on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 13:55

( Posts: 5381 | Credits: )


I have no idea what they are validating. They both say "joint" with him on my credit report, one is a joint account I had with him and he was responsible for in our divorce but did not make good on. I have written the creditors at the address on my report MANY times with no response and every time I file a dispute with the reporting agency it comes back "verified" but I have no idea what they verified. I have not seen or talked to my ex-husband in 4 1/2 years so it is really frusterating that I am getting no help trying to clear up this man's debts.

It doesn't seem legal that they can ignore me entirely yet leave it on my credit report but I don't really know what I can do otherwise.


lrhall41

Submitted by anonymous on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 15:39

( Posts: 202330 | Credits: )


Hi

Joint debts are a trouble when you divorce. These are the legal agreements you signed with your partner so you can not ignore them. I guess you are talking about the divorce decree that held your husband responsible for the debts but the saddest part is that the creditors are not concerned with the divorce decree or which partner is responsible for the debts. They are simply bothered about their money since you are the joint account holder they will try their best to get the money from you. In my opinion you should immediately talk to an attorney and try to contact your husband. I have written a blog post on this http://www.ourcommunitypower.org/blog/divorce-and-credit/

take care and keep us posted
Nelly


lrhall41

Submitted by Good Nelly on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 23:36

( Posts: 2846 | Credits: )


If you attempt to remove 100% closed positive accounts your Fico will take a nose dive due to loss of ave account age. It is not advisable in my opinion to dispute good accounts as it will do more harm than good. Since these accounts are indeed closed it will not be looked at as available credit. I personally think a person should have as much credit as a creditor is willing to lend you since you never know when you may need to access it. Please remember available credit does not equal debt.Having very high limits with low utilitization shows lenders you are willing to be a responsible consumer.


lrhall41

Submitted by cajunbulldog on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 07:35

( Posts: 4850 | Credits: )


A few years back when we were gonna get an open line of credit our bank told us if we closed out some of our credit card accts on our report, (they were OLD) we could get a lower interest rate....
:?:
We did and got the lower rate...
Does that make sense? I remember it very well cuz i didn't realize we had that many credit cards since we didn't have them in our possesion.
Ang


lrhall41

Submitted by Ang on Thu, 10/25/2007 - 08:01

( Posts: 2306 | Credits: )


Well for me that was a very long time ago, maybe 10 years or so! We did get teh open line of credit and still have it...
But i have another question: While looking thru my report last week i noticed 2 diff accts, one a Sear's that reports as being open and another Chevron, also open. I have NEITHER of these cards... how can they be considered open? I don't remember using these cards in many many many many years!!
(both 0 balances)
thanks Cajun,
Ang


lrhall41

Submitted by Ang on Sun, 10/28/2007 - 07:09

( Posts: 2306 | Credits: )


My score did go up, by a few points. I don't have ALOT of credit, but, I'm paying on what I DO have..regularlly. It DOES help just to keep paying on what you have. Everyones advice, for this thread, is wonderful!! Hope this helps alittle.


lrhall41

Submitted by sdchargers_63 on Sun, 10/28/2007 - 07:12

( Posts: 1798 | Credits: )


Here is the reason why you should not close. If closed they will disappear from report within ten years.A open account stays there indefinitely. The greater the age of your file,the higher your score will climb.If a account costs you nothing to remain open(no fees) then leave it open and bury the card in your dresser.


lrhall41

Submitted by cajunbulldog on Tue, 10/30/2007 - 04:48

( Posts: 4850 | Credits: )