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Step 1
Open previously closed JC Penney accounts. Closing a credit account reduces your available credit, a seemingly innocent maneuver that lowers your credit score. If you want to re-establish credit with JC Penney, begin by opening any closed accounts with this store. Contact the company's customer service department and ask to open your credit account.
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Step 2
Become an authorized user on another person's JC Penney's credit account. If you can't reopen your closed account due to bad credit, find someone with a JC Penney credit card and add your name to that account. By becoming an authorized user, you'll receive your own card with the store, and JC Penney reports your activity to the credit bureaus.
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Step 3
Pay off judgments or collection accounts. If your JC Penney's credit card balance went to collections, or if the store filed a judgment against you with the credit bureaus, make plans to pay off past due balances with JC Penney. This includes credit judgments and collection accounts with the store. Contact JC Penney and ask about your payoff balance. Agree to pay the balance in full, or negotiate a payment plan. Once you've paid the balance, ask the company to reinstate your credit account.
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Step 4
Make timely payments. To maintain a good relationship with JC Penney, you have to submit on-time payments to the company every month and keep your JC Penney's credit card balance low. Failure to do so can result in a decreased spending limit or higher interest rate.
