Dear So and So

[Becky]

Here's what I ask anybody who is concerned about a hit to their credit report: Are you planning to apply for credit, e.g, a new car loan or mortgage loan, any time soon? If you're not, then don't worry about it. And if you are, then just wait to close the account until you obtain the loan. But if you otherwise have excellent credit, I wouldn't worry about the minor hit you might take by closing the account.

Yup, that's the advice that we've received from others and, overall, I don't expect this to have a huge effect on our credit. But it's annoying just the same, especially when it's a debacle not of our making.