I hope when your settle your debts; you get the settlements in writing before you hand over your money. Once you settle your debts and the creditor or collection agency received your money, request the release letter to be faxed to you. Once you get the release letter go into e Equifax and Tran’s union office in your area and have them update your file. If you don't have a local office, I would call and find out how you can fax them the letters. I would follow Richards’s advice and I believe Monty has an eBook for sale on this site that might give you some ideas or more info about credit.

I have a question on similar line but didn't want to start a new thread. I hope the likes of Richard are reading this post ( P.S Thanks for Rosie Guthries info, I have acquired her services )

I am on my way to settle all my debts which should be done in 2-3 weeks and from what I understand ii might take 2-3 months till all of them show as paid in full in my credit report. I will seek a secured card from my bank and or capital one

Question
1) Should I got for both? or one ie., start slow
2) Should I apply ONLY when everything reflects paid in full on my credit file
3) Once I get a card, I would be getting it to re-establish credit. So when I purchase things which I normally do, should I pay min payments and feed interest JUST to increase my score or by paying in FULL has better if not the same effect.

I got 2 pointers from Richards Site
Foe eg,

Credit Limit of $1000
Use up to 500, pay it of in FULL and repeat cycle

Is this the direction I should be going to

.

I hope Collect Canada doesn't deny you paid the account off. How did you pay them off and do you have a copy of the payment? How old is the Rogers debt or when was the last time you made a payment on this account? I believe if you get these two matters straightened up your score will go up in a few months.

.

These two items along can affect your credit score by 100 points. If the credit card debt is paid why haven't you had the credit card company update your file? If you have the release letter you can send it off to the credit bureaus yourself. If the Rogers bill is outstanding then I would pay it or settle it if you can. If you settle make sure you get the settlement offer in writing before you hand over your money.

.

.

As for the R9's are the written off and have never been dealt with? If so this is holding you back to a degree but.....

The cards you have you should try and bring the balance down. Anytime that you are coming close to the limit they are bringing your score down. Ideally cards should be paid off monthly but see if you can bring them down to 50% of their limit. RichardC has this right.

Thats your problem there. The balances versus the limits.

Read this article, especially Myth # 2 Debt is Dumb

Hope that helps