I guess the real question is did you declare bankruptcy on these debts. If you did in 5 years your credit will slowly get better. Do not pay anything. What I did was apply for a high interest credit card after 8 years and used it and paid it off monthly. Never late on anything. If you did not declare I would do it now and give them nothing. Now the clock starts over. Credit card companies will be sending you offers left and right hoping you'll default again as you cannot declare for another 10 years. Get a card use it and pay it off every month. It all just takes time. This past April was 10 years that I declared and my credit score ranges from 765 to 804 depending on which agency you ask. Good luck! ... View more

I went to experian on June 15 and they said my credit score was 798. They sent me an email on June 20 saying my credit score was 765. This whole credit score thing is crap. Within 5 days I dropped 33 points? None of my bills were even due at this period. And I always pay all of my bills on time. What ever happened to no more 3 credit scores when they all were supposed to merge? This is a garbage system of credit reporting. The 3 credit reporting agency's are probably getting a kick back from financial institutions to under value peoples credit score so they can charge higher interest rates! ... View more