All Forum Posts by: Jeremey Allen

Money is required, but it doesn't have to be your money.

Go to CreditKarma, and dispute it if it isn't legitimate.

 Each of the disputes I raised were resolved in lass than a week. However, I only disputed things that I knew were false. 

I, too, am credit challenged.  I got sick and had to drop out of college, resulting in a sizable student loan, and no degree.

Get a free credit report from Annualcreditreport.com

-Dispute all of false derogatory marks.

Get a secured credit card, or two. 

-I got a CapitalOne card that only required a $49.00 deposit for a $200.00 credit line. 

-Keep the balance below 30% I keep mine around 10% I just buy some gas, or fast food, and then forget about it until the next month.

-Pay your card off EVERY month. I set up autopay on mine, so I will never be late.

Pay off any debt you have. 

-Call them and tell them you will pay it off in full if they agree to stop reporting it to your credit report. If you just pay it, they won't generally take it off.

-Get everything in writing

-Pay with paper, do NOT give them access to your accounts.

Pay your bills on time, every time.

I have raised my score from poor to good in a year.

Good luck.

How do you negotiate a settlement? Should I just call them, or do it in writing?

I plan to pay it either way. I want a clean slate to start my REI career. My only concern was the effect on my credit score.

I've been told that paying it off may actually hurt my credit score and it may be better to let it fall off. There are so many differing opinions.

They are relatively small medical bills. They total just under $2000.00 all together. I haven't ever paid on these in particular. They are due to drop off of my credit report in 6 months or so.

I have $15,000.00 in student loans that I am currently paying off, and plan to pay off in full in the next few months.

My goal is to raise my credit score.

About 6 years ago I got sick and lost my job, and had to quit school. In this time, I racked up a lot of debt which I was not able to pay off. These debts are about to fall off of my credit report.

My question is, should I pay them off, or let them fall off the credit report? What effect will each of these options have on my credit score?

Thank you. I think I was confusing down payments with monthly mortgage rates.