So I need to know which way it really is....Does it ...

In the long run it can hurt you. The agencies collect information on the number of CC's that you have. And the more you have the lower your score normally is. The fact of having these and not using them would indeed have an impact on your over all score. I would suggest to "at customers request" close as many as possible out. This can only better your overall score. Let me know if you need further assistance.

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I was told that carrying them and not using them shows available credit and impacts my credit rating negatively..which would support what you say. I was also told that they just look at the over all debit to income ratio and that carrying credit lines or cc's will not impact my score. I was given this information by so called expert credit professionals with expert advise. Please send me your thoughts. I liked your initial answer but am wondering what you think of the advise I was given by those that call themselves experts.

I was told that carrying them and not using them shows available credit and impacts my credit rating negatively this is indeed correct. . .

. I was also told that they just look at the over all debit to income ratio and that carrying credit lines or cc's will not impact my score. I am sorry but that is not quite true. They do do that but what really matters most is the available amount of credit to you that is not being used that could be used and put you into financial ruin.

Please send me your thoughts. I liked your initial answer but am wondering what you think of the advise I was given by those that call themselves experts.

Lets put it this way. I do not buy what you were told.

I just bought a vehichle myself. Ran my own credit score beforehand and I closed out 2 cards and paid one off.

My score jumped up 40 points in doing that alone.

You need to cut your cards and call and close them as suggested above. This will increase your score and will not show so much available credit to you in the way of cash advance or credit.

I stand by my original answer in the first posting. Let me know if I may further assist you on this.

Edited by 4ren6 on September 22 2006 at 2:26pm

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