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Should I close open credit cards accounts?

I checked my credit report and one of the positive factors was 'using 50% of credit limit' which I was confused about until I noticed that they were including credit cards I had used in the past, paid off and never touched again. These amounts are the only ones in my name, amounts are different on my debt free diary as that's including my husbands ones

Breakdown of all credit cards:

CC1: £3919.88 / £4000 98% credit limit used
CC2: £750 / £1000 75% credit limit used
CC3: £0 / £4000 0% credit limit used
CC4: £0 / £660 0% credit limit used
CC5: £0 / £200 0% credit limit used

So my total available credit is £9860 and I've used £4669.88 which is 47% of my credit limit used.

If I cancel them it would mean:
Available: £5000
Used: £4669.88
93%

If I cancel them will this make my credit score worse? Should I keep them open until I have paid off the other cards I still have to pay off?

I hope that makes sense!

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You don't have a credit score so ignore that.

    Keep your cards open as your utilisation is high and your limits are low. You run the risk of look desperate for credit.
  • Caspeia
    Caspeia Posts: 166 Forumite
    You don't have a credit score so ignore that.

    Keep your cards open as your utilisation is high and your limits are low. You run the risk of look desperate for credit.

    What do you mean I don't have a credit score? Don't understand what you mean, I don't fully understand how this all works
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The numbers that the CRAs give you aren't a measure of your credit worthiness.

    They're a largely made up number for entertainment purposes, much like horoscopes. Never use it as a measure of anything.

    You just need to focus on managing your credit responsibly.
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