Everyone, please read...
1) I agree with this. Create an free account with a provider that will show your credit history like Credit Karma, Experian or Free Credit Report. The accuracy of the credit scores that free services provide aren't important, nor generally accurate. In your report, it will list all of the activities and any deliquencies that are present, in addition to the holder of the debt and their contact info. Also, some credit card companies(if you have credit cards) like Capital One and Discovery will show you your credit score and report through their website or app.
2)I somewhat disagree with point 2. Only contest if you know that the debt has been paid. Arguing over a debt to be removed, no matter big or small, WILL NOT GET IT REMOVED from your credit report. The days of waiting 7 years to fall off your credit report are OVER! They want their MONEY!!!!
3)You're going to have to organize a way to pay, no matter the amount. Either work OT to pay it off or creative passive income to generate supplemental income.
4)Always pay off the original holder of the debt even if it goes into collections! The original debt holder will be able to get a negative report removed quicker than the third party. Paying a debt collector ensures that you'll have to go through HELL to get it removed from your credit history.
5)Debt consolidation is TRASH, especially is your just going to pay the minimum balance. You're putting yourself deeper in debt!
5)Assuming you finally have all of the delinquencies removed from your credit report, you can now start rebuilding your credit. I'll be honest, the better the income and your bank accounts are, the quicker you'll be able to rebuild your credit. Someone will give you a chance provided you have a decent job that you've held for at least 6-12 months and you have a decent amount of savings. There are 2 ways I'd suggest you rebuild your credit:
- Obtaining a secure credit card(as already mentioned)
- Obtaining a car loan(through a credit union; their rates are more favorable than banks, dealerships either won't finance you or will give you a trash car that won't make it out of the lot.
I chose the second method. I needed a new car and I didn't trust credit cards yet, so I went with a loan. I got approved for a $15,000 car loan with a 400 credit score at 7% interest because I went through a credit union, paid off all my delinquencies(which were removed from my credit report) and I had about $5,000 in my savings account. I drove off a Chevrolet lot with a certified pre-owned 2011 Malibu(with keyless start) instead of the trash that everyone else offered me.
6)After 6 months to 1 year(or whenever you feel comfortable), apply for a credit card(if you chose the auto loan method). Apply through your financial institution(bank or credit union) because you're more likely to get approved. Whether your card will be unsecured or secured will depend on your credit activity since obtaining your car loan or secured card. If you made your payments on time, you should be approved for an unsecured credit card or a car loan.
7)Whether secured or unsecured credit cards, pay your balance IN FULL before the due date. NEVER CARRY OVER A BALANCE INTO THE NEXT BILLING CYCLE!!! I agree with the OP.
8)The most important thing.... Having your credit report pulled costs you credit score points/money. The golden rule is 5/24... Five times within a rolling 24 month period. When rebuilding your credit, you'll have to have your credit pulled more often, but limit it to having it pulled no more than 2-3 times per year. Having it pulled too many times will decrease your score and will get you declined faster than having a bad score.
9)The longer your individual credit lines are open and the amount allowed, the better. Don't close an account unless you either know you'll never need it again or the new credit line is superior(like credit cards that have travel benefits). Closing an credit line will drop your score a couple of points.
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