Reply #33: I basically did that about 5 years ago....

[Lisa0825]

Major depression after divorce and mother's death... I didn't even open mail for about 2 years. I just started working on rebuilding my credit last year. It can be done. DO NOT use "Credit Counseling." They will ensure you have even worse credit even longer.

It varies by state. For example, I understand collectors have very little power in Texas. the joke is that they can take you to court with a paper that says you owe them money, and if they win, they get another paper that says you owe them money. But in some states they will sue for just about anything over $500.

If this is a problem you are dealing with, go to www.creditinfocenter.com and check out their info and especially their forums. GREAT resource!

Personally, I have paid off several old debts, and some have dropped off the statute of limitations. Now I am working at getting old negatives (and a couple of fraudulent entries) deleted from my report, and adding some good new entries to my report. I have a mortgage now (it can still be done, even with crappy credit!) and am expecting my first credit card in several years any day now.

One thing that ticks me off is that many employers now do credit checks on applicants, even when the job has nothing to do with handling money. So, aside from not being about to get credit, you may have trouble getting a job too.