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Never Missed A Single Payment

DearJames,

I was made bankrupt in 2012, but discharged from it in 2013.  I’ve recently been told by credit agency websites it’s a negative impact on my score not having a mobile phone bill.

I’ve tried to change the name of the contract phone I’ve been using for over four years now but was declined. How does that work? I need to have a mobile phone contract to improve my credit score and yet I’m declined when I try!

I have never missed a single payment in all the years I’ve had the mobile phone contract in my name or otherwise. Please help.

Sheas

Dear Never Missed A Single Payment,

Establishing credit after emerging from bankruptcy can be very challenging.

Yes, there are entities that will establish new lines of credit for you, however, they tend to come at a very high price, terms, and interest rate. Attempting to change the name of the existing account you have been utilizing is virtually impossible as it was established, and the credit verified under the account holder’s name.

You may be able to have the account holder add your name to the existing account, however, that will do little in the way of improving your credit history, as the existing account, if reported to a credit reporting agency, is done so under the main account holders name, address, and social security number.

To establish new lines of credit, and thus rebuild your credit worthiness and payment history, you will need to pursue alternate avenues such as:

  • Open a new form of credit account with a co-signor.
  • Open a new mobile account under your name with the requisite security deposit mandated by the carrier for individuals with diminished or poor credit.
  • Open a high-interest credit card or revolving line of credit via entities that make said offerings to higher risk clientele. Utilize this account in limited fashion and pay the balance off over the course of a few months to establish new credit and an ongoing payment history. If you pay off in full the amount you charged on the card each month, it will not count towards establishing new credit and payment history. Absolutely counterintuitive, however, that is how the current credit system works.
  • Wait a reasonable period, often 3-5 years from the date of discharge, to reestablish credit via normal guidelines. The more time that has elapsed since the discharge date of your bankruptcy, the easier it becomes to reestablish lines of credit. The bankruptcy reporting remains on your credit profile between 7-10 years depending upon the type of bankruptcy filing.

 

All the above options are available to you. Select the best, available option(s) while diligently making every monthly payment as required. Also be mindful to not rush or overextend yourself as you work to rebuild your credit worthiness. Slow and steady wins the race.

DearJames®