Archive for October, 2010

How to Establish Good Credit

Martin Lukac asked:




It can be surprising how many people don’t have a credit history. There are actually quite a few older consumers without a very strong credit history. They may have never had any credit in their names. Many wives find that their credit has always been maintained through their husbands. When they apply for something on their own, they have no history.

Students, young people, newly single women and many older Americans may find that they are in need of a credit history. Or perhaps you have already established credit, but it is less than stellar. What should you do?

You can’t get credit if you haven’t had credit, but you can’t get it without it! Wow. How do you get around that?

There are a few ways. The best way is to simply apply for a small loan or line of credit from your local bank. Make sure that they will report the information to the credit bureau. You can also secure a store credit card. These cards do come with a little higher interest rates than other credit cards, but are a good way to build your credit. You can often only use the card in one or two different stores.

To be approved for a credit card, you have to be over 18 and have a job. Cards can be fairly easy to get, you simply have to look for the best interest rate. You do need to use it to show you can handle credit, but you must pay the entire bill each month. This shows that you are financially stable and responsible.

If you find that your credit isn’t improving much over time, you could consider finding some other ways to get your mortgage. You could try to find a larger down payment. This will often show the lender that you have more at stake, and would not default on the loan.

If you don’t have a checking account, it is time to open one. Checking and Savings accounts both look well to lenders. But you must be sure that you don’t overdraw your bank account. Bouncing checks shout that you can’t manage your money and may default on your debts.

It is a good idea to start thinking like a lender. You have to show a well thought out financial plan over an extended period of time. If you apply for eight credit cards in three months for the free stuff, lenders will only see that you are desperate to find credit. They may also see that other lenders don’t want to lend to you, so why should they.

It is possible to establish a credit history, it simply takes time. Don’t believe anyone who says that they can quickly get you a good credit score or history. It isn’t true. It just takes time, paying your bills on time and making wise credit decisions. Good Luck.

Danielle
 

How do you get something off your credit report?

Driving-on-E asked:


Ok I have been told that you can contact the credit agency and make an arrangement where you pay the bill and in return have them take it off your report all together not just seen as paid is there any truth to this and if so how do I go about doing it do I contact the actual company of debt, the credit collection agency, or the 3 credit bureaus and I have also been told to ask for it in writting before I even start to pay on it is that true as well I really want to get this credit crap cleared already please help
P.S. I have recently disputed all my creedit reports and one was actually removed (so cool!!!) iif you know any other tricks to either remove items all together or have them reduced please feel free to mention them and again thanks

Jamie
 

How Accurate is Your Credit Bureau Data?

Nitin Saini asked:




Credit report should be checked on a yearly basis. It becomes absolutely necessary to keep a check on your credit reports if your ever aced some discrepancy in your reports. Most common problem that people usually face is identity thefts. While ordering your credit bureau data always ensure that you get three copies each from TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

The main reason for getting separate copies is that each agency gives a different report. Every creditor has their way of reporting. This means that some creditors report to just one agency where as some report to two agencies. There are also creditors who report to all three agencies depending on the loan type. Your loan history is especially shared to all three agencies when you have taken loans such as a mortgage.

In U.S., the process of keeping records of all the credit history is done for every individual. They keep record of every account you had for 5 to 10 years, loans which you have taken and also the ones that you have paid off. The history of the records helps them to produce their credit bureau data.

All three agencies keep your credit records. This means that there is every possibility of the report having errors. There have been serious discrepancies in people’s records, thus it is not just a possibility, but more of a reality.

The first question that comes up in your mind would be what would happen when you get a faulty report? It results in you FICO score or credit score being calculated at much lower than it actually is. The next question that would arise in your mind would be what effect does a faulty credit bureau data have on you? Well, your lowered credit score is making you pay extra money! You may be paying a 7% on your mortgage instead of 6%. Instead of paying a 2.9% on your car loan, which a qualified buyer pays, you might end up paying 8%. Your lowered credit score does not make you counted as a qualified buyer. These are just a few ways that make you shell out extra money.

There is no mechanism available to the credit bureaus which would automatically correct those errors. The credit bureau does not take any responsibility on their lax of reporting, as they believe it is only reporting that they are doing and they are not the ones generating it.

After checking out the view point of the credit bureau, you should take up the responsibility. You may be just a consumer or a business owner, whatever is that you do get a regular copy of you credit bureau data. Check the data minutely for any kind of discrepancy. Once you find any faulty reporting, approach the bureau directly. This should help you in getting an error-free report.

When you are checking on the reports, do not rush through it, as now you know how it could affect your credit scores. Cross check the data because error-free report will result in a higher credit score. With a higher credit score, you would not be shelling out anything extra from your pocket.

Patricia
 

Federal Credit Report – 16 Tips To Not Get Ripped Off

Justin Fox asked:




I’ve written this article so you don’t get ripped off either. I want to share my tips and tricks to navigating around the rip off merchants so you avoid paying from something you don’t need.

Don’t Pay For Something You’re Entitled To

The US Congress has passed an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA for short. They allow you to get a free credit report once, form each of the main credit bureaus each year.

You need to get all three credit reports as you info will be different on each report. The most cost effective way of getting your report is to get a 3 in one deal.

Here is a list of current prices:

1. Equifax – Get 3-in-1 Credit Report with Score Power $39.95

2. Experian – 3 Bureau Credit Report and PLUS Score for $34.95

3. TransUnion – A 3-in-1 Credit Report with FREE for $29.95

What info will they ask for?

They will ask for the following info so you can get ready and make sure you have these details before going to the websites:

Name Address Social Security Number (generally no more than the last four digits) Date of Birth

Ok, you need to look out for Scammers and Fraudsters to make sure they don’t rip you off either.The most important tip is the following:

NEVER respond to a spam offer to get a free credit report. Make sure you watch your spelling if you type in the web address (rather than click on our link) — many of the bogus sites are just one letter away from the site you want. Get maximum benefit by spacing out your free credit reports from each of the 3 credit bureaus over the year. Allows you to see any changes that occur over time. Be sure to print or download your credit report or reports immediately. You may not be able to gain access again for free later. When you get your free credit report, quit your browser so no one else can access it. Make sure that if you get an email credit report don’t reply or click on the link. Make sure you contact the company by phone.. Don’t ever take credit report emails at the face value be a skeptic every time you open your mailbox. Act cautiously of email coming from a domain other .com. Check whether a company’s phone number and address are valid by using websites like Switchboard.com or Anywho.com. Look out for misspellings and grammatical errors are dead give-aways of scam sites. Be very aware of links that re-direct you to a different web address. Be on the lookout for websites that ask for unnecessary personal information, such as your PIN for your bank account or 3-digit code at the back of your credit card, or any passport information. See f the website is secure if it displays the lock icon on the browser’s status bar. Furthermore, “https//” in the URL also means the site is secure. Watch your mailbox and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges on your account. Worst case scenario: If you have fallen victim or stumbled upon any of the illegal activities above-mentioned or any other suspicious activity, do report it to the FTC and the US Secret Service. If you have a copy of the actual spam, you can send it to the Los Angeles Electronic Crimes Task Force at (remove the spaces) LA.ECTF.reports @ usss.dhs.gov and to the FTC at uce @ ftc.gov.

I really do sincerely hope this information gets your mind ticking over. I also hope it provides you with a few tips and provides you some good Federal Credit Report advice to think about when getting your credit report.

To get more advice and information on Credit Reporting Agencies, or Credit Score and Credit Reports click on www.credit-reporter.net [http://www.credit-reporter.net]

Ellen
 

Tips on Ways to Get Your No Cost Credit Report

Tommy Hilligan asked:




There are numerous methods that a person can obtain a totally free credit report from Equifax. Sometimes there is a phone number you are able to call up if you’re not on the Web. You can speak to somebody immediately about your report. A person should be able to locate a number for every reporting company using these tips.

Tip #1

You will find a couple of methods to inquire about your free credit statement. The very first one involves going online and finding information from the government concerning the web sites that are authorized to show you your own free report. This is the simplest method to obtain your no cost score simply because you don’t have to send anything away or wait for the final results. One of the firms which keep the free credit file is Equifax.

Tip #2

Another way to request your info is to complete a form that you can send to one of the credit rating companies. Once you’ve completed application merely send it back to them to obtain your annual credit report from any of the three agencies.

Look out for fraudulent websites that offer to give you your info for a fee. You shouldn’t need to pay anything at all to obtain what is offered to you free of charge, and that which in turn you’ve got a right to gain access to.

Tip #3

You also have the choice to either order all three credit reports in the past, or select the times of year you would like info through each bureau. Buying through one organization completes the procedure, so you don’t have to pay out a fee to receive your report. When you contact the agencies directly, you will be charged a fee to get the report, even though you are entitled to receiving your info cost free. Sometimes the companies have criteria to receive a free report, but it’s just simpler and more simple obtain your free info.

There are more ways to get a free credit report. You are usually allowed a free report if you have been denied financing because of your credit. This particular statement may show the reason why you might have already been refused. You can also obtain a report free of charge if you’re trying to get unemployment or even in the event that an individual has not asked for one in more than 12 months.

Jesus