$ 9 debt destroyed a California resident's credit rating and made it impossible for her to get a mortgage

The woman described how opening a credit card store at Home Depot destroyed her credit score and jeopardized her chances of buying a home after she forgot about the $ 9 paint fee. The edition told in more detail Daily Mail.

Photo: Shutterstock

Los Angeles, California-based TV producer Cassidy Gard, 31, shared her story of the dangers of store credit cards in a viral video on TikTok that has been viewed over 5,1 million times.

Gard, whose nickname is @cassidygard, explained that she usually says no when store employees ask her if she wants to open a credit card, but she made the impulsive decision to sign up for her in May because “the woman at Home Depot was like that. cute. "

“It just seemed like it was really special and important to her that I opened the card,” she said. “I opened it and completely forgot about it.”

When Gard bought the house four months after that, she realized that her credit rating had "dropped by more than 100 points."

“I probably won’t get a mortgage on my house now because of a $9 can of paint,” she said through tears. “This is the stupidest thing I've ever done.”

“Don’t open credit cards in stores,” the TV producer advises. “It will ruin your life.”

On the subject: Lack of credit history or bad credit rating: which is worse

The video received about 17 comments.

Several people blame her for missing a payment. In addition, they are interested in how Gard will then cope with the responsibility for owning the house.

@cassidygard#Storytime…might be losing dream house over $9 @homedepot paint? #help #homedepot @selffinancial #creditcard #finan by #creditscore #fyp #mortgage♬ FEEL THE GROOVE — Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

“Opening a card is not a problem. The problem is the bill not being paid,” one person wrote, while another added: “Looks like the problem is not the store, but something you forgot.”

Others were more empathetic and encouraged her to contact Home Depot, agreeing that everyone at one point or another forgets something. Some even shared horror stories about their credit cards from stores.

“I think it's time to unite and get retailers to stop pestering consumers for credit cards,” one follower wrote.

Gard responded to some of the comments and explained that she traveled in the summer, so she skipped the bill. The TV producer stressed that she takes full responsibility for what happened and knows that it is her fault.

“Yes, I am the problem,” she wrote. - That's why it's important. So if other people like me have a terrible memory, they understand how devastating it can be.”

Gard noted that the Home Depot employee actually used a different term when asking her to register: she was talking about a bonus card, not a credit card.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

“I don’t even think I fully realized I was applying for a new line of credit,” she admitted. “At that moment I knew I was getting a discount on my current purchase: a can of spray paint.”

She recalled that she was in a rush when she began the registration process for the card.

Gard said she sought help from Citibank, the company that handles Home Depot's credit cards, without success.

According to the producer, the company initially agreed to make a one-time adjustment to help it fix its credit rating, but when it contacted the finance head at Home Depot, she learned that they would not make the adjustment.

Before Gard knew about the credit rating, she made a non-refundable down payment on the house. Now she may not even be eligible to buy real estate.

“Even if I finally get this mortgage, my mortgage rate will be 3 to 5 percent higher than it would have been based on my credit score before this situation occurred,” Gard lamented. “The mistake and consequences were disproportionate.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

An immigrant on guard for American security: how a Kazakh created an app for the US intelligence services

Money paid on student loans will be returned to thousands of people in the USA

Six questions to answer before moving to another country

Lack of credit history or bad credit rating: which is worse

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.