What can I do if all the lenders are denying my credit requests? 16 Answers as of March 05, 2012

I filed for bankruptcy about five years ago and I am trying to build my credit again. I got a new job and I've been slowly getting back to a normal financial ground. What can I do to get lenders to help me out?

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Mercado & Hartung, PLLC
Mercado & Hartung, PLLC | Christopher J. Mercado
You can apply for a secured credit card. Contact a local attorney for specifics.
Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 3/5/2012
Law Office of Nanina Takla
Law Office of Nanina Takla | Nanina Takla
You need to start small after 5 years, you should at least be able to qualify for a high-interest, low maximum balance credit card. Use it once a month to buy groceries or gas and pay off the bill in full each time. The only way to build up your credit is to build up a history of on-time payments.
Answer Applies to: Oregon
Replied: 2/23/2012
Law Office of Susan G. Taylor
Law Office of Susan G. Taylor | Susan G. Taylor
You might need to rebuild slowly by obtaining a secured credit card, making purchases, and paying off the card by making timely payments as well as paying the balance in full early.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 2/21/2012
Ipson Law Firm, PLLC
Ipson Law Firm, PLLC | Michael Ipson
You need to have a positive credit history. Get a credit card pay it off every month. Make sure your debt to income level is as small as possible.
Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 2/20/2012
J.M. Cook, P.A. | J.M. Cook
Start with store credit which is usually easier to get. Secured debts are sometimes more lenient as well.
Answer Applies to: North Carolina
Replied: 2/20/2012
Janet A. Lawson Bankruptcy Attorney
Janet A. Lawson Bankruptcy Attorney | Janet Lawson
Start with a small secured card. Try to stay our of debt.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 2/20/2012
Bankruptcy Law office of Bill Rubendall
Bankruptcy Law office of Bill Rubendall | William M. Rubendall
The best way to rebuild credit is to pay bills on time. You might want to obtain a secured credit card. This means you put up an amount of money such as $500 and the lender takes an amount such as $200 for fees. You then have a credit limit up to the amount of your deposit such as $300 in this example.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 2/17/2012
The Law Office of Marvin Wolf
The Law Office of Marvin Wolf | Marvin Wolf
First, are you sure your credit report shows all your prior debts were discharged in bankruptcy? Otherwise, they will still show as active debts.
Answer Applies to: New Jersey
Replied: 2/17/2012
CS Hansley Law Firm | Chris Hansley
Usually you should start off with getting a few secured credit cards. There are a few banks out there too who are offering rebuilding credit programs.
Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 2/17/2012
Law Office of Lynnmarie A. Johnson
Law Office of Lynnmarie A. Johnson | Lynnmarie Johnson
Have you pulled your credit reports to make sure everything is clear and correct on them? Talk to your local credit union(s) and find one that will give you a small credit card in exchange for you depositing money in to an account for the next year. They then report this as a regular credit card, often they are referred to as fresh start cards. Do not get a secured card from one of the offers in the mail, they may offer you a credit card, but the fees will almost always equal the amount of credit they give you! Good luck!
Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 2/17/2012
    Bodow Law Firm PLLC | Ted Araujo
    Go to a local bank, such as a credit union where you now may be able to join because of your employment, and get a card that is backed by a cash deposit. If you cannot get a "normal" credit card start out with one that has a very low limit, most are for $500.00, and the bank requires you to have the charge card backed by a cash deposit that you cannot access. This cash guarantees the balance on the card. Use the card once every month and put it away. Wait until you get the bill and ALWAYS pay it in full. Use the card only once every billing cycle and never carry a balance. Do not carry the card with you. That will result in the bank reporting favorable reviews on your payment history and in six months to a year your credit should be good enough to get a "regular" card. Never carry a balance on that one either and be very disciplined with keeping track of your spending.
    Answer Applies to: New York
    Replied: 2/17/2012
    Law Offices of Robert P. Taylor
    Law Offices of Robert P. Taylor | Robert P. Taylor
    Start with a secured credit card. Just type in "secured credit card" on Google and you'll find many banks offering them.
    Answer Applies to: California
    Replied: 2/17/2012
    Ashman Law Office
    Ashman Law Office | Glen Edward Ashman
    The lawyer who handled your bankruptcy can give you tips. Five years after a bankruptcy, credit will be easy if you have followed his advice until now.
    Answer Applies to: Georgia
    Replied: 2/17/2012
    Diefer Law Group, P.C.
    Diefer Law Group, P.C. | Abel Fernandez
    You can take a credit card out and start rebuilding your credit by using a small credit card and then work your way up to larger debt.
    Answer Applies to: California
    Replied: 2/17/2012
    Guardian Law Group PLLC
    Guardian Law Group PLLC | C. David Hester
    Get a pre-paid or a Credit Card that requires a deposit.
    Answer Applies to: Utah
    Replied: 2/16/2012
    Law Office of Eric Ridley
    Law Office of Eric Ridley | Eric Ridley
    Try to get a secured card first, in which you deposit $500 or so and that becomes the credit line you are given. Over time, pay it off religiously. This will help build your credit and prove to other lenders that you are trustworthy.
    Answer Applies to: California
    Replied: 2/16/2012
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