Unlike a new account, other incorrect entries —
like old credit card accounts, employers you don't recognize, and addresses where you never lived — are most likely basic errors.
I didn't realize how bad it was to
close old credit card accounts, until we started to apply for a loan and I closed several cards out, thinking it would help.
Despite what you have heard, it is not wise to
close old credit card accounts and paying off all debts does not mean you'll have a perfect credit score.
If you've ever wondered whether you should close
that old credit card account or apply for a business loan and a mortgage at the same time, then understanding these factors should help.
In fact, it is a good idea to close all but
the oldest credit card account that you have once your consolidation is complete, and cut the rest up and toss them out.
Before you call up to cancel
your old credit card account, make sure you know everything that needs to be considered.
Additionally, closing all of
your old credit card accounts can ding your credit score.
Once you've switched your balance to a new card, you may debate the possibility of closing
your old credit card accounts.
If you've got a low - cost,
old credit card account that you want to keep active on your credit report, ensuring that the card issuer doesn't close the account, set up one bill to be paid automatically with it each month.
The older the credit card account the, the more positively it will affect your child's credit history and credit score.
By closing
the oldest credit card account, you are essentially erasing part of your credit history which can drop your credit score.
Closing
an older credit card account may actually lower your credit scores.
If you are thinking of closing out
an old credit card account that you don't use?
Some credit card issuers will allow you to reopen
the old credit card account upon request soon after it was closed.
If you have
old credit card accounts that you want to stop using, just cut up the cards or keep them in a drawer, but keep the accounts open.
When you use credit cards responsibly on a regular basis, have
old credit card accounts, you have good chances to build perfect credit.
Yes, you will definitely want to keep
your old credit card account open so your credit score won't take a hit — especially if you are planning on applying for any new lines of credit in the near future.
Canceling
an old credit card account can result in a shorter average credit history.
@Kathy, To answer your question, the answer is YES, keep
your old credit card account open — it will be best to preserve your credit score.
Keeping
your oldest credit card account open establishes a long credit history, and it will keep your credit score elevated.
Pulling the plug on
an old credit card account is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Shutting down
an old credit card account involves much more than a pair of scissors.
To maximize your credit score, don't close
that old credit card account — even if you've achieved a zero balance — unless you're being charged an annual fee.
If you're 30 years old and there's a 17 - year -
old credit card account on your profile, it's probably safe to say it isn't yours.
Rather than close out
an old credit card account that you don't use anymore, leave it open; the credit limit on that card will help increase your overall credit availability, but you won't add any debt.
If you close
an older credit card account, your credit history suddenly looks shorter, and that can drag on your credit score.
And remember, don't close
those old credit card accounts, because that could ding your credit score.
If you have
an old credit card account that you no longer use, you should consider whether you want to keep or cancel it.
I know the age of your credit history matters, but I'm confused... is it the length of age since you've opened your first credit card account or is it the length of age of
the oldest credit card account you currently have opened?
CreditKarma has a Credit Score Simulator that should be able to answer this, but it just says that closing
your oldest credit card account will likely decrease your credit score without putting a number on it.
Now that we've debunked the myth, here's the real reason why closing
that old credit card account might hurt your scores: Credit scoring models consider the relationship between the balances and the credit limits on your credit card accounts.
Closing
old credit card accounts is another credit blunder that has the potential to lower you scores.
The myth is that when you close
an old credit card account, you will lose the benefit of the age of the account.