Oct
29
Do you Know the Benefits of Checking your Credit Report?
October 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Do you know why you should check your credit report?
Of course you do, because you have undoubtedly experienced one working in your life!
No matter where you roam, your credit report follows you through life, updating all aspects of your life: your employment, where you live, your opened credit accounts, your closed accounts, your payment history, and even public records on you.
In this country, a good credit history brings you benefits of all kinds–a home mortgage, an apartment lease, an auto loan, or even more credit–with ease.
Like a job resume, your credit file carries a lot of weight, that’s why you need to keep an eye on what it says about you.
Many options are cut off to you if you do not look “credit worthy” on paper. A bad report can mean higher rates on loans and insurance. It can also mean whether you get hired or promoted by a growing number of employers who now use them in the evaluation process.
Even if you think you have a good credit standing and you pay your bills on time, you still need to review your credit file for accuracy.
Studies have shown that credit files have an error rate as high as 70%, often the result of simple human or computer error.
Sometimes these errors show you being late in paying your bills when you are not. Your file might even leave out information that could sway a decision in your favor. The most common error is where damaging information of another person, with a similar name or account number, is mixed into your profile.
Monitor your personal credit file so that you are alerted whenever negative or derogatory items are reported against you.
A neglected credit file can lead to some major inconveniences in your life in the future.
You should fix mistakes or remove any incorrect information as soon as you find it. Errors that creep onto your report take time to correct. Catching these mistakes when they occur helps resolve them faster.
When you improve your credit worthiness you can qualify for better rates - which adds up to big savings for you.
Even if you think you have an unblemished past, checking your report lets you know what a future lender or employer will learn about you.
If your credit report is less than perfect now, you can deal with lingering problems effectively, and move towards a better credit standing in the future.
A good credit rating means more money in your pocket and less out the door!
** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above. If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look.
Thanks,
Mary
(c) Mary Arce - All Rights reserved
Mary Arce is a consumer advocate and author helping Americans solve their credit problems and save massive amounts of money on mortgage and credit card interest. WHY are some people getting RICH managing their debt?
My email address: wealth@1st-wealth.com
Website: http://www.1st-wealth.com
Article is also available by email - send blank email to: checkreport@1st-wealth.com
Popularity: 4%
Oct
26
Keep Your Credit History Clean - Remove A Negative Credit Record From Credit Report
October 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union are similar and feature a “Credit Score”, which is created from credit report data submitted to them about you.
But very often your credit report includes inaccurate, wrong or incomplete information (credit records).
In this situation you have to prepare and send letters to each of the credit bureaus. Also learn your credit rights by familiarizing yourself with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
The FCRA gives you the right to dispute inaccuracies or omissions, and it requires credit bureaus to investigate your complaint (generally within 30 days), send you a prompt response and correct any errors. The law also requires the source of inaccurate information (such as a bank) to correct the record at the credit bureaus to which it initially provided the erroneous information.
Consumers working on their credit reports say many times their letters are ignored by the credit bureaus. Consumer’s say even with proof a credit record is not theirs; its removal from their credit report can take three or four challenge letters, because the credit bureaus may have only verified it in their computers and not on the credit report.
Send your dispute letter by CERTIFIED RETURN RECEIPT MAIL. This should not be done with the first attempt.
Keep a record of when you sent the dispute letters and what date you should expect a response.
If you have received no answer to your dispute after 30 to 37 days, send a certified return receipt letter requesting an updated credit report demanding the disputed credit record be deleted.
If the bureaus do not reply within the 30 days, it must be that the information was either inaccurate, or it could not be verified. In either case, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the credit record must be immediately deleted from credit report.
Some consumers have eliminated negative marks on credit reports simply by going through this process of disputing credit records several times. Since some creditors will not take the time to respond, you may be able to win by default.
In addition, some consumers working on their credit report have seen another negative credit record or two disappeared. Usually some progress is made each time you challenge. Remember, the credit bureau would like you to quit bothering them because if you aren’t disputing the credit report, they can legally continue selling it as profitable information.
To obtain the excellent credit report service, correct your credit, get FREE online Credit Report, make your Credit Score higher or avoid becoming a Victim of Identity Theft visit at Legal Helpmate Corp
Your credit score is important for obtaining credit. Your credit score is important to know, whether you need a new credit card, an auto loan, or a mortgage. Lenders use your credit scores to decide whether you are a good credit risk. If you have a high credit score, you are more likely to obtain the best rates.
Jeffrey Broobin is a free-lance writer on family and finance issues; his main goal is to help people during their complicated period of life.
Website: http://www.legalhelpmate.com Email: jeffreyb@legalhelpmate.com
Popularity: 4%
Oct
23
Top 5 Reasons To Check Your Credit Report Regularly
October 23, 2010 | Leave a Comment
#1 Make sure mistakes aren’t hurting your credit.
Reviewing your credit report can help you avoid costly errors. In one recent study, more than 50% of the credit reports checked contained errors. Other studies have shown similar results with as high as a 70% error rate. The most common error occurs when the information of another person, with a similar name or account number, is recorded in your credit profile.
#2 Track your history of payments.
Potential lenders want to see a history of timely payments before they’ll consider offering you a loan or credit. Check your report to see that your payments are being reported accurately to the credit reporting agency (CRA). A history of late payments will result in higher interest rates being charged or having your credit application or a loan denied. Late payments will also lower your FICO score.
#3 Protect against potential identity theft.
Identity theft has become the fastest growing crime in our nation. Identity theft complaints jumped 75% from last year according to a recent Federal Trade Commission report. The monetary loss from identity theft crimes skyrocketed to a combined $53 billion in 2002! Accounts that appear on your credit report that weren’t opened by you could be a sign of identity theft. Report any such occurrences to all three major credit bureaus immediately and have them place a fraud alert on your account. The three bureaus can be reached at:
Equifax 800-997-2493 www.equifax.com
TransUnion 800-888-4213 www.transunion.com
Experian 888-397-3742 www.experian.com
#4 Keep your inquiries to a minimum.
Make sure all of the listed inquiries were authorized. If there are unauthorized inquiries, write to the credit bureau and to the company that made the inquiry informing them that you did not authorize the inquiry and to remove it from your credit file. Potential creditors can regard too many inquiries within a short period of time (30-60 days) as a negative and can result in the refusal to extend further credit.
#5 Stay on top of your credit without hurting your credit score.
A credit score, also called a FICO score, is a numerical grade given to each consumer . Your grade or score is an analysis of your credit risk based on your credit history. Credit scores range from 300 to 900, and those with scores in the range of 640 to 700 are considered excellent credit risks. Those with FICO scores below 500 are considered to have the highest risk of defaulting on a loan and therefore most lenders won’t even consider them. Consumers with higher credit scores receive the best rates and terms on credit and loans.
© 2004
Author: James H. Dimmitt
jimdim815@aol.com
James is editor of “To Your Credit” a FREE weekly newsletter to help you manage your personal finances. You can subscribe to his newsletter and also get a FREE copy of your credit report when you visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Popularity: 4%
— keep looking »Bad Credit Repair
Most Popular Posts
- How to Get a Bad Credit Bank Loan
- Bad Credit Personal Loans Help You Improve Your Credit Score
- Bad Credit Personal Loan: The Silver Lining in the Dark Clouds
- Kill Bad Credit Phobia, Take Bad Credit Secured Personal Loan
- Student Loan Interest Rates To Rise July 1 2007
- Need Instant Cash? Get Bad Credit Cheap Payday Loan
- Protecting Your Credit Report During Bankruptcy
- Bad Credit - Pay Now Or Really Pay Later
- Applying for a Secured Loan with Bad Credit
- Finding a Bad Credit Car Loan
