Understanding the Critical Nature of Your Credit Report

Consumer credit reports are used today for far more than they were initially intended. Originally, credit reports were just that, reports that reflected how you were managing credit granted to you in terms of current balances, payments, etc. They were not originally intended to be used for other purposes, as they largely are today, yet most consumers are not aware of this important fact.

Now, though, consumer credit reports are being used for such things as determining your car insurance rates. Insurance companies claim people with low credit scores make more claims on their insurance, and they allegedly have all kinds of statistics to back up that bold statement, and therefore will charge you more for car insurance, regardless of your driving record, if your credit score is lower.

Many employers have made running a credit check a routine part of their standard background check before making offers to potential new hires. Again, it’s those statistics they obtain which allegedly show that people with lower credit scores do not take financial responsibilities seriously, and a low score could prevent you from getting a job you are well-qualified for.

Because of these new uses, as well as the original ones, you should understand that there are things that can make your credit report look bad, even if you otherwise have good credit. Here’s a few:

* Credit Report Errors: Errors can find their way onto your credit report, and unless you pro-actively find them and dispute them, they may never go away. Your credit report could include a charge-off that belonged to someone else, for example. This is not as uncommon as you may think, and in fact, many studies have shown that a majority of people do have errors in their credit report with at least one if not more of the credit reporting agencies.

* Other Information: Credit reports don’t just contain credit information. They also include employer information, salary information, and other non-credit specific information. If this is incorrect, it can negatively impact your credit score.

* Trend Upwards: From a financial perspective, your credit report displays the trend of how you manage credit. If you had credit issues a couple years ago, but have since cleaned up your credit act, your report will show a positive upward trend, and your credit score will reflect it.

* Pay Ahead: One of the worst things for a potential lender to see on your credit report is late payments. Even if you weren’t late with your payments, your credit report may still show as if you were. Here’s what might have happened. Your payment is due on the 1st of the month. You mail the check on the 25th, but it doesn’t arrive until the 31st or the 1st. And then, it isn’t posted to your account for another few days. That payment you made on time now shows as a few days late. The same can happen with electronic payments through your bank account. Though you may pay the bill the day before it’s due, it could take 3-5 days (or more, depending on both your bank and the creditor) before your payment is processed. Be aware that the date your payment is POSTED is the date they consider, and NOT the date that you made the payment. Make your payment earlier so you don’t get dinged for late payments.

Your best option is to obtain copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. You are entitled to one free report each year. Review your reports, and make sure that everything listed there is accurate, and if it isn’t, start the dispute process as soon as possible.

By keeping an eye on your credit report, and doing everything you can to keep it as clean as possible, you’ll ensure that a high credit score is waiting for you, when you need it.

For more insights and additional information about how to correct errors in your Credit Report as well as getting free copies of your credit reports from all three major credit reporting agencies, please visit our web site at www.credit-help-center.com

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

Everyone should regularly monitor their credit report to ensure that the information on there is accurate and up to date and help to improve credit score by removing the unnecessary information that is directly affecting it.

The first step to do is to get a free copy of your credit report. You can do this once a year. This will not tell you your credit score – you have to pay for that – but it will tell you what is on your credit report.

Once you have gotten a copy of your report scan it carefully for errors. If you do spot what you believe is an error, you should immediately tell the consumer credit agency – Experience, Trans union, or Equifax, or all three – IN WRITING – and keep a copy of the letter! Provide as much detail as possible and any documentation that you have in your possession. Provide copies, not originals. Describe what is inaccurate about the item and why.

Credit report errors can cause serious damage to your credit rating. If you’re in debt, you’re already struggling financially, and the last thing that you need is errors on your credit report dragging you down and causing all of your interest rates to go up.

You can get your credit report more frequently but you usually will have to pay for it. An exception is if you applied for credit and were denied, the company that denies you must tell you which credit reporting agency provided them with information which caused them to deny your credit. And then that credit reporting agency must provide you with a free copy of your credit report if you ask them for it within 60 days of being denied credit.

If there is inaccurate information on there you should dispute it immediately, in writing, by sending a letter explaining what is inaccurate about the report, both to the credit reporting agency and to whoever provided the credit reporting agency with the incorrect information.

Send these letters via certified mail with return receipt. This will show the date that you sent the letter, because if the credit reporting agency can not verify the negative information within 30 days, they have to remove it from your credit report.

If there is negative information on the credit report that is accurate, you should contact the lender who provided the negative information, and attempt to work out a payment plan with them. If you can pay it all off at once, so much the better. However, ask that they remove the negative information from your credit report once they receive the payment, and get that in writing from them. And do NOT send the payment until you get their agreement in writing.

Everyone should regularly monitor their credit report to ensure that the information on there is accurate and up to date and help to improve credit score by removing the unnecessary information that is directly affecting it.

The first step to do is to get a free copy of your credit report. You can do this once a year. This will not tell you your credit score – you have to pay for that – but it will tell you what is on your credit report.

Once you have gotten a copy of your report scan it carefully for errors. If you do spot what you believe is an error, you should immediately tell the consumer credit agency – Experience, Trans union, or Equifax, or all three – IN WRITING – and keep a copy of the letter! Provide as much detail as possible and any documentation that you have in your possession. Provide copies, not originals. Describe what is inaccurate about the item and why.

Credit report errors can cause serious damage to your credit rating. If you’re in debt, you’re already struggling financially, and the last thing that you need is errors on your credit report dragging you down and causing all of your interest rates to go up.

You can get your credit report more frequently but you usually will have to pay for it. An exception is if you applied for credit and were denied, the company that denies you must tell you which credit reporting agency provided them with information which caused them to deny your credit. And then that credit reporting agency must provide you with a free copy of your credit report if you ask them for it within 60 days of being denied credit.

If there is inaccurate information on there you should dispute it immediately, in writing, by sending a letter explaining what is inaccurate about the report, both to the credit reporting agency and to whoever provided the credit reporting agency with the incorrect information.

Send these letters via certified mail with return receipt. This will show the date that you sent the letter, because if the credit reporting agency can not verify the negative information within 30 days, they have to remove it from your credit report.

If there is negative information on the credit report that is accurate, you should contact the lender who provided the negative information, and attempt to work out a payment plan with them. If you can pay it all off at once, so much the better. However, ask that they remove the negative information from your credit report once they receive the payment, and get that in writing from them. And do NOT send the payment until you get their agreement in writing.

Article Source: http://www.articlewarehouse.com

Mark is the author of “Crushing The Credit Bureaus” a do it yourself credit repair encyclopedia that focuses on repairing negative information on your credit report to help improve credit score. Fix your credit at crushingthecreditbureaus.com now.