LearningToBeAnAdultFilter: What is the most accurate, free and legitimate way to get my credit score? I know I'm supposed to be able to get it free once a year, and that there are 3 different reporting agencies.... but.... what do I do? I feel like everyone but me already knows this.
posted by dahliachewswell on Jul 24, 2009 - 11 answers

What's your preferred method for getting your FICO score? [more inside]
posted by xotis on Apr 19, 2009 - 13 answers

After ordering my credit report, I found that there were two bills sent to collections in 2006. Upon further investigation, I discovered that these were for unpaid cable bills and cable equipment that was never returned by my old roommates after I moved out--what do I do? [more inside]
posted by mingodingo on Dec 1, 2008 - 7 answers

Is a company required to make a good faith effort to collect on a debt before reporting it as charged off? Do I have any recourse for my credit report? [more inside]
posted by 0xFCAF on Jan 7, 2008 - 4 answers

CreditFilter: Two years ago, not really understanding the importance of good credit behavior, I let a department store card slide for 180 days, twice (I KNOW!). This impacted my credit history greatly. I had previously had 4 years of good payment on two credit cards. Over the past year, to help recover and instill good habits, I pay my credit cards in full every month (read: no personal debt) and added a paid off car loan to my reports (15K). My CC limits have slowly increased but my score has remained somewhat the same (10 pt increase).

What can I do to get out of this rut? Some collegues I know have a sizable CC debt (around 15-20K) with less income than me but have great scores and could buy a house tommorrow with no problems. What am I missing and no, credit-fixing agencies are NOT an option.
posted by anonymous on Dec 12, 2004 - 11 answers