three free credit report

Here is where the problem comes in; about three years ago I had an issue with Wachovia bank allowing charges to go through on my checking account that I didn’t authorize (I.D. theft). I tried closing the account several times but they refused to close it until I paid the negative balance. Well, I paid the balance and then they allowed another $800 charge to go through. I told them that I refused to pay for this and to this day it is a collection on my credit report.

Since I owe Wachovia $800, will Wells Fargo deny me for a secured credit card with them?

I currently have a credit card with Bank of America. It was secured but now it is unsecured. Even though I pay my balance in full each month, my credit score hasn’t increased much. So I was thinking about getting another secured card… what do you think I should do to increase my score?

Lonnie