Ryan McFarland

Once a year you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. In browsing my Experian report i found that a few “open” accounts have not been used in a very long time. So now i plan on closing some up. Closing credit accounts is never as easy as opening them.

• Care Credit - I have an $800 credit limit with. Have not used it since getting a full time job 8 years ago. Calling (866) 893-7864 wasn’t any help on a Sunday though. This will surely be a hassle since i have no idea what my account number is. [Update] My social security number didn’t bring up the account but fortunately they had my phone number on file. They were pleasant and it was a hassle free cancellation.
• JC Penny - I have a $200 credit limit. This is from way back in the day when i was trying to get a credit report at all. If i spend $200 at JC Penny then i’ll want miles. I called 1-800-542-0800 but didn’t have my account number. At 7:40 PM Alaska time they still had a friendly operator that was able to look up my account number using my social security number and didn’t seem bothered by the phone number and address that didn’t match the ones they had on file.
• K-Mart - What? I have a credit account with K-Mart? They must have had a kiosk with some special if you applied for credit and i took the bait. I apparently have a $0 line of credit though. Don’t go spending that all in one place. On their website they have the hours of their service and their phone number 1-866-562-7848 x3 x1. Apparently HSBC does their credit account handling. Naturally, they were not open.  [Update] Their system predicted a 5 minute hold time.  I’m sure i was on hold for a good 20 minutes they needed my SS# to track down my account and said i would receive a letter in the mail shortly.
• Structure - I’m pretty sure these stores don’t even exist. A search found Express stores in the results so i assume that Express owned Structure. Just as hard as finding a Structure store open is finding a phone number to call to close a credit line with them. I tried 1.800.888.5529 x1 x2 but got hung up when it asked for my phone number. I have no idea what number they have on file. My phone number from the past 8 years didn’t work. I waited and was forwarded to the operators - but of course they are off on Sunday.

My TransUnion report lists my occupation as “Student.” I wonder what hoops it will take to get my employer since 1999 listed. I submitted a request to have it changed and should hear back in the next 30 days.