Can't get a Credit Card

Entries of collection agency and judgment in your credit file have tarnished your credit scoring severely. These items remain in the credit file for seven years from the date of first delinquency. If these items are past the reporting period, dispute them with the CRA and get them removed from your file. Once they are taken off, your credit scores are likely to increase.

Besides, check for any incorrect items in your file. They also lower the FICO scores largely. Your report should only contain the actual information from your lenders. Read this article for some tips on improving credit scores.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/forums/credit-check.html

buty the judgement was filed in 2002 so it won't come off unitl 2009. I won't even be done paying it off by then.

As for the collection agency, I have to look into that, I think it is past the 7 year at least the original deliquency was more than 7 years ago I don't know when the credit agency received the account

they are some companies that offer secured credit cards most requiring a $250 min deposit thats refunded after 12-18mths. Give them a shot, they helped me after a nasty divorce and credit went from 725 to 490, now im at a 600 so its coming back up. good luck.

Link deleted as per forum rules - Mike

thanks, I will try that

Why get a Credit Card? Stay away from them! There are
other ways of increasing your score without Credit Cards.

I'm sorry to hear that! Back then, my credit was not that good and when First Premier offered me pre-approved credit, I accepted right away to rebuild my credits even though the rate is high and that they have all kinds of fees. A few months after, Capital One offered me pre-approved Visa, I applied and then they offered me Master Card, I also accepted. I learned my lessons, so I used those just to rebuild my credits (I used those and paid back right away) I've been their very good cusomters for a few years now. Even though the line of credits are only a few hundred bucks but those gave me a chance to rebuild my credits. To be honest, I would never need to have credit cards if a few years back then we had ATM-also-used-credit-cards as we have nowadays. Plus another thing is nowadays, we can pay most of our stuff online so I'm never late on my payment again. Well, we all learned the hard way. Anyway, try to apply for secured credit cards (once in a while, I receive lots such offers through junk emails) Good luck!

How much $$$$ are the "Credit Counselors" getting
from the CC industry? Just a thought!

LIM...
Don't get me wrong,I think it's great they're around.
I just don't trust many in the CC industry,and when
somebody is intentionally pointed in their direction the Red Flags wave fast and furious!

It pains me when people automatically think of credit cards as a red flag. Unfortunately - in the world of credit reports and scores - credit is a necessary evil. Lessismore has very good advise with buying a small item with a small loan and repaying it in a few months time. However, sometimes you don't need anything new, credit cards are often your next best option. Something my boyfriend has started to do since getting his first card in ages after finally paying off his old one is that he puts gas money away each month and buys gas on a credit card - then he pays it off each month. It takes dicipline - but his score is rising as we speak!

judgement in your credit report is a public record and that is the biggest problem you have, STOP PAYING THE COLLECTION, check your credit report and start disputing that public record (JUDGEMENT) you can use the sample letter below, and mail it certified, send one letter to experian,transunion,equifax, disputing this accounts is the best way for them to be removed from your credit report.
Keep mailing this letter after every 30 days, within four to six months they will remove thos accounts.
sample letter to use

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