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Well. Monday, August 14th, 2023. Perhaps it time to start a running credit thread. Probably infrequent updates.. thought this would be a good place to start it: My FICO score (not a FAKO. This is a FICO score, as per a credit denial letter from Chase for Amazon.com Visa Signature) is 602 calculated as of 8/9/2023.

A suggestion was recently made.. So, I enrolled myself in a "six month" "back to work" program somewhere . It has been making me very anxious that, at least for the first 3 months.. Things are done around the place, and they don't let you actually go out and work and get a job until those last 2 or 3, I think 2 . Seems a little bit counterintuitive but I think I understand... they want to instill "routine." This is a voluntary place and I can "walk out" at any time, but if I did that then why did I come in the first place. Working on me a little bit. (A lot..) So, someone made a suggestion. While I technically had enough to cover maybe "two months" of minimum payments, I do technically have like 8-10 cards across 5+ creditors including recently got CLI with some.. How does that go? To call and ask for hardship arrangements? Do they do such thing? Because otherwise I'm gonna have late payments. I basically don't see how I won't have them anyways, with no money coming in....

A "backdoor number" is one that gets you past frontline CSR's directly to Credit Analysts / Credit Departments / Account Managers / Account Specialists (different lenders call 'em different things) - these people/departments have decision-making abilities far beyond frontline CSR's; they can take and review requests for reconsideration of denied CC apps or CLI requests, APR reductions, etc. and implement their decisions. I can continuously update this first post with the latest information if everyone will post to this thread. I'll make the change and acknowledge. We deeply appreciate your participation. Amazon (store card): see Synchrony (GE) AMEX: (Oasis Program) AMEX: 866-314-0237 (new app status) AMEX: 800-582-6471 (recon with frozen EX for pin) AMEX Business charge cards - (877) 399-3083 AMEX Credit Bureau Unit: 800-874-2717 (Must have a current credit report before calling. They will ask for the account number from the credit report, which is different from your card number) Barclays: 888-232-0780 (Customer Care) Barclays: 866-408-4064 (Credit Analyst) BBVA Compass Bank: (American Express Card issues only) 866-246-2924 Best Buy: 877-420-0001 Best Buy: 888-908-9890 (Credit Analyst, existing accounts only) BofA: 866-866-2059 (Direct to US-based CSR) BofA: 888-500-6270 (Credit Dept. Fax) BofA Business: 800-442-1043 Cap1: 800-625-7866 (Account Specialist) Cap1: 800-951-6951 (cust. relations) Cap1: 800-548-4593 (application department; status) Cap1: 800-889-9939, 800-625-7866 (Account Specialist) Cap1: 877-513-9959 (Account Retention?) Cap1: 800-258-9319 (Debt Recovery) Cap1: 866-280-0118, 800-955-1455 (EO) (Nerfed in general) Cap1 Secured Platinum: 800-219-7931 (deposit taker, can speak to credit analyst) Chase: 800-432-3117 (App status) Chase Executive Office 800-242-7399 Chase Personal CC Recon 888-270-2127 Chase Business CC Recon 800-453-9719 Chase: 800-453-9719 (Business card lending) Chase Lending - 888-609-7805 (Credit Analysts) Chase: 800-242-7399 Chase: 800-955-9900 (Product change status questions) Chase: 888-298-5623 (Consolidation - M-F 8am-10pm EST) Chevron/Texaco Biz Card App Status: 888-243-8358 Citi: 800-645-7240, 800-288-4653 (Citi Business) Citi: 800-750-7453 (Business) Citi 888-201-4523 (Personal) Citi: 718-248-0847 (EO) Citi: 800-695-5171 (New Accounts UW) Citi: 605-331-1698 (EO - CC division) Citi Credit Bureau Dispute Fax: 866-713-5028 Comenity: 800-303-1368 (Consumer Relations - Recon) Discover: 888-676-3695 (New Accounts) Discover: 866-305-7691 (Direct Line TO CS) Discover: 866-222-0536 (EO) Elan: 800-364-9648 (CC underwriting, business and personal) Equifax: 800-846-5279 (Direct to Rep) Equifax Executive Office 404-885-8000 Experian: 800-493-1058, 800-208-9232 (9AM-5PM ET, need report number from EX) ExxonMobil Biz Card: 800-903-9966 FIA: See Elan FNBO: 800-444-6220 GEMB: 877-294-7541 (escalated help desk) Haverty's/Sync: 800-333-1082 Home Depot Store Card: 800-677-0232 (Credit Analyst) Home Depot Store Card: 423 467 6957 (App Status/Recon) Home Depot MC (Commercial): 800-720-0649 Home Depot: 800-685-6691 (Commercial) Hooters: 801-545-6705, 800-850-4668 HSBC: 866-574-4421 (App Status) HSBC: 866-719-3897 (Credit Analyst) JC Penney: 800-542-0800 Juniper: 866-408-4064 (Credit Analyst) Juniper/Barclays: 866-750-6031 (Corp. Offices) Key Bank: 888-201-4523 (App status) Key Bank: 800-254-2737 Key Bank MC: 800-288-4653 Key Bank Credit Research Fax: 216-357-6400 Lowes: see Synchrony (GE) Macy's: 800-627-2909 (Credit Dept. - new credit, inquiries on upgrade to Visa, credit reporting issues) Macy's: 800-543-9617 (Recovery Services) Marvel: see Synchrony (GE) Meijers MC: 801-517-5560 National City: 800-762-0974 (Credit Dept.) Nationwide Visa: 866-757-2720 (App. status) Nordstrom: 800-964-1800 (CLI) Orchard: 800-395-6090 (May get answered in Spanish by bilingual CSR's. If this happens and you don't speak Spanish, either try again later or try saying "Habla ingles?" or "Ingles, por favor" to let them know you're an English-speaker) Philips 66: 866-289-5630, 800-610-1961 PNC Bank: 800-762-2117 (Business CC) PNC Bank: 877-562-0150 (Business UW) Sam's Club: 800-301-5546 (Underwriting) Sears: 800-599-9710 (App status) Shell Fleet Card: 800-223-3296 (App status) Shell: 800-223-3296, 866-438-7435 Shell: 800-377-5150 Staples: 800-767-1291, 800-282-5316 Sunoco Corp. Card: 800-935-3387, 800-278-6626 Sunoco: 800-310-4773 Synchrony (GE): 800-240-0512, 800-480-0205 (Biz) Synchrony (GE): 800-588-4290 (Consumer) Synchrony (GE): 877-379-8175 (Sr UW) Synchrony (GE): 888-885-6937 (Verification) Synchrony (GE): 800-333-1082 (Haverty's) Synchrony (GE): 866-519-6441 (Marvel CC, Sr UW) Target Biz Card: 800-440-5317 Tiffany: 800-770-0800 Transunion: (312) 466-7719 (Corporate Office Resolution Team Voicemail) Transunion: (610) 546-4600 (Corporate Office, need extension or last name to search directory) USAA Bank Secured Platinum: 800-344-5696 ext 38763 (secured product specialist) US Bank: 800-685-7680 (Underwriting) US Bank Secured Platinum: 800-344-5696 (underwriters for secured product) Valero: 877-882-5376 Walmart (Sync): 877-379-8175 (Sr UW) Walmart (Sync): 877-969-5302 (Verification) Wells Fargo: 866-677-1128 (CC Executive Office) Wells Fargo: 844-576-6424 (Executive Office) Wells Fargo: 877-514-3717 (Amex Propel Credit Svcs) Wells Fargo: 844-879-4824 (Direct # for Product Change Credit Svcs) Wright Express: 888-743-3893

What is the max credit card limit with USAA? I have the rate advantage set at $8500, but I want to see if it possible to go higher to help with DTI. Thank you on advance.

What's the best way to maximize your relationship with NFCU? I have that. With them for almost 10 years. I have 3 Credit cards with them, multiple accounts. Any advice?

I've got Citi AA Miles card from 2019 still with same credit limit I opened with. Denied again for CLI, reason given was: However, I wonder if that is the full story since they have BK loss with me that is off my credit reports now? Are they obligated to cite that in their reasons if part of their decision making process? My inquiries on Equifax they referred to: Feb 17, 2021 PENTAGON FCU (Denied CLI, max exposure) Feb 17, 2021 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card) Dec 29, 2020 CORELOGIC CREDCO CORELOGIC for BACHOMELOANSECOMMDMA (Mortgage approved) Apr 20, 2020 CREDCO/QUICKEN CREDCO/QUICKEN for QUICKEN LOANS INC Mar 07, 2020 PENTAGON FCU (Approved CLI) Mar 07, 2020 DIGITAL FEDERAL CREDIT UN (Denied card) Feb 24, 2020 CITIBANK NA CITIBANK NA (Prior Citi CLI that was denied) Experian FICO: 827 (From Wells Fargo Bank) TransUnion FICO: 824 (From Barclays Bank) Equifax FICO: 770 (From DCU older version of score) Thoughts?

I have a SDFCU secured card that I've had since November 2011 and still remains secured. On their website when I log in, it reads as "EMV SECURED VISA PLATINUM." Since I don't need it except to help my average age of accounts, I brought the limit way down to the minimum of $250 so as to not tie up excess funds. I'd love to get this unsecured and wonder what behaviors are thought to lead to their unsecuring. When I called them many years ago they said there is no way to ever unsecure. My FICOs are well above 800, but I never use the card, do I just need to run transactions though it to unsecure it? Maybe I should pump up the limit a bunch then use the card and hope it unsecures at a nice high limit.

Hi everyone. I just have a question on deciding if I should pay this in full or over the next few month. I had to file chapter 13 in 2015. I’ve been rebuilding since discharged in June 2019. I’ve done really good with CC’s since then. I was approved for 3k with PayPal credit. I only use it for purchases over 100 so I can get 0% for 6 months. I owe $1300 on it now. (Christmas) It will be interest free until June. I needed a an installment loan so I got $3600 via Upstart. I refused more because I just need the trade line. My question is do I just pay $350 over the next few months and put the money in savings or go ahead and just pay it in full? The total credit lines for Credit cards including the PayPal is $8750 I owe less than $1400 total. I’m going to let them draft the payment for the loan monthly and then just pay it in full at 13 months. That’s my plan and it makes sense in my head. I just don’t know what to do about the Paypal account. Pay in full now or wait and get the extra interest from savings account. any advice? I over think everything.

This is a quick spreadsheet from my latest free Experian Fico Report. Experian says my oldest account is 22.6 years. It is an open in good standing Ben Bridge Jewelers cc that I have not used in probably 20 years. Interesting that Ben Bridge told me five years ago they never close inactive accounts so it is really helping my age of accounts. My other accounts are really new as you can see in the spreadsheet. I have been gardening for almost a year because I didn't want to do more damage to my AAOA's which is at 5.8 years. If I applied for say a CSP card what would be my AAOA's? How do I calculate it and do you think I should lay low and wait another year or two before applying for another cc?

the monthly subscription went up to $39.95 a month.

This discussion had come up several times recently, so I thought we would have a clear thread on this subject. Who does this help? People with clean reports. What does it do? It helps you eek out every point possible from the utilization portion of FICO scoring. What do you do? Let $2 report on 1 card and have the rest report $0. Why $2? Because you want non-zero utilization reporting on 1 card that is included in FICO utilization calculations. Experimenting with amounts lower than $2 has often resulted in the balance being credited to $0, so $2 is the smallest "non-zero" amount to use reliably. Are there any cards that this won't work for? Discover is $3 minimum. They will credit $2 to $0. Cards over $50K are not counted in utilization and also do not count. I verified all of this with BobWang via email. I'm not going to post the emails, but if for some reason that is not good enough, I will forward the emails to Breeze and let her verify the authenticity of this information.

My son got a CLI request denial from NFCU after pulling EQ, the reason given: You've reached Navy Federal's maximum unsecured credit limit. He has a Visa at $20K, for which he requested the CLI, and a NavChek overdraft LOC account at $3K. He is also an AU on my card at $80K. Does NFCU include AU accounts when deciding the maximum unsecured credit limit? If so, do I just need to remove him as AU and have him ask for reconsideration? If approved, if he is subsequently re-added as AU, will they take adverse action? Has anyone else seen this in action before? If so, what was your experience?

So I'm pretty firmly in gardening mode, but it occurred to me...what ever happened to HSBC? To Santander? What about Sabadell's US footprint, or IBERIABANK's? So I check em out, and hey, they apparently still service US markets, they just don't...advertise. Now, none of the offerings were compelling, but it begs the question: What unadvertised or underadvertised cards are you keeping an eye on, or have app'd recently? What other banking institutions are being quiet these days? Any international ones we can crack into without special tricks? This post brought to you by credit boredom, and a desire to do the odd thing.

Hello I wanted some clarification on when NFCU does their Annual Reviews? Also I wanted to verify if you applied for a CLI after they pulled your report they wouldn't pull again? I have added some quality cards and refinances and the inquiries are moving higher than I would like. Thanks

Hello I have a Collection Account on Transunion from Plaza Services and apparently they only report to TU. I have never recieved a dunning letter from them or any letters. I have lived in the same address 15 years. I sent Plaza Services a letter for proof etc with no word back and disputed with TU. TU came back as verified today with no other explanation etc. I could use help from here as I haven't had this happen before with a dispute. Thanks

Two years ago I started cleaning up my credit following the strategies posted on CB. In June of 2017 I had no FICO score on TU and circa mid 500s on EQ and EX. Since then I have raised my scores across the board to + 820 with a total unsecured CL +245K. I received a letter from AMEX today, after not hearing anything from them since 2010 offering to settle a 17K balance for 5.5K I defaulted on in 2010. I really don't care if I have an AMEX and am curious as to why they just now decided to reach out with this offer. Is this typical of AMEX? Thanks you for any input.

I am a longtime reader of CB, mostly as a student, learning about credit from those much smarter and experienced than me. For that, I am grateful! I hope to get some guidance on my specific situation. Opened a Marriott Rewards Visa two years ago. After opening, my situation changed. We are now caregivers of an ailing relative and travel options are limited. All of my free annual night certificates have expired unused. I must travel for work 2-3 times a year, but no family travel has resulted in minimal point earnings (133,000, but 50,000 was my sign-up bonus). In July, I accepted the new rewards card upgrade. I was offered 10,000 points instead of the 100,000 offered to new customers. The $95 fee will likely post this month, and the 10,000 bonus points have not been received yet. Should I close this card now before the fee posts? It is my only Chase card, and I don’t want to burn my relationship with them. I would like to return if my situation changes in the future. Plus, I don’t want to have my credit score crash. Oldest credit line: 23 years. Avg age of Open Accounts: 4 years, 5 months. Utilization: 2% Credit Scores: Experian: 757 (Fico 8, from Amex) Equifax: 752 (Fico 9, from NFCU) Transunion: 755 (Fico 8, from Lowes) Total credit of cards I will keep ($72,550): Fido Visa $12,000 CL NFCU Visa: $23,300 CL Quicksilver: $14,250 CL Lowes: $15,000 CL Small credit union Visa: $8000 CL Amex Green All replies will be greatly appreciated!

Do purchases on Discover AU cards also get the double cash back the first year? (assuming the primary is getting the double cash back obviously) Can Discover AU's set up their own online login for Discover Deals access? Do Discover AU's have unique card numbers? Can you have 3 AU's on a Discover card?

I do not where else to put this so I am wondering if its smart to take home a company car for $128 every month 64 every 2 weeks. Fuel, maintenance is included.

I searched for Santander here for info and found they are not looked too favorable on here (I already do not like them). I financed a car with Alphera last May (14 E-Series MB coming off lease). Alittle about my credit-got divorced in 06 with some late mortg. payments and CC pmts-waited it out buying cash cars and not using my credit. Went to buy car in 13 (all baddies were off) and had no score. Used a strong Co-signor with WF Dealer Serv to buy 10 STS with 2.9%-opened a $500 secured CC (my bank-Amegy), then a Discount Tire Card (since paid off but use if for gas from time to time), then a classic car (Medallion), then qualified for non-secured CC ($2500 w/ Amegy), then bought car through Alphera with 5.9% (no co-sign), didn't think that was bad since I only had 5 accounts (now 6-WF and Alphera are only closed ones-Santander hasn't showed yet) and average length of Credit was around 2 yrs (now 2.9)-CS was 760 to 800 with myfico (d/ship said it around 740). I have been paying $150 to $200 extra every payment since June-Alphera always showed I didn't have pmt due since I was atleast a cpl ahead, plus they showed interest rate, amortization, and a other info I liked. I sure liked the fact that I was a cpl pmts ahead (was doing it cause they financed it for 72 even though I wanted 60-it would of been $80 more for 60) for a "just in case" fact. But Santander wasn't showing that and I called them and although they agreed that they had to do same terms (interest rate and length), they said they don't do it that way (no matter how much extra you pay-you always have pmt due), which sux but I'm sure there's not anything I can do about it. Plus they don't list everything everything like Alphera did (basically just pmt history). And speaking of pmt history-it states all my pmts made were made in April '18 (cause that's when they took over-even my return from cancelling the gap) and my balance "now" seems pretty close to where it was with Alphera when I checked a cpl mths ago, I do not trust them. I guess my question is can they really do that with my pmts (pmt due every month even though you are ahead) and is there a amortization calculator I can plug in everything with date I made pmt (would have to use my bank records to get close as that info is gone-I couldn't log into Alphera way before Santander took over) to check their numbers (balance mainly)? Thx in advance.