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Basics of Improving Your Credit Scores

In today's society, it is difficult to move ahead in some areas when you have a bad credit rating. From rental property applications or attempting to buy a new high definition television on credit, a good credit rating is needed. If your credit rating is less than stellar due to past issues, here are some tips that may enable you to restore your rating back to a good standing.

What is hurting your credit score? When you are repairing your credit, take a look at your credit report and figure out what is damaging your credit file. Is it late payments, maxed out credit cards or collection accounts? You have to have the correct mindset when it comes to getting your credit back on the right track. Select the right professionals to assist with this if you are not prepared to do the work yourself. All credit can be improved by the consumer. The issue is do you have the time and do you know the laws to protect yourself?

Keep track of whom you authorize to pull your credit. This is called an inquiry. Inquires do have a negative effect on your report. Review your credit report and dispute any inquiries that you have not authorized. Keeping track of small items like this, can have a large cumulative effect on your credit report.

If you notice a mistake in your credit report, you can make the corrections yourself. You will need to contact the major credit-reporting agencies and ask for assistance. This is pretty straight forward and there is no fee to do this. There are also publications that offer credit history self-help, as well.

Before you begin on your journey to repair your credit, take some time to work out a strategy for your future. Set goals to cut your spending where you can. You need to regulate your borrowing and financing in order to avoid a setback on your credit again.

Most credit cards allows you a grace period. Make at least the minimum payment every month. Skipping payments tells the credit card company that you are irresponsible. If you want to repair your credit score, you need to show creditors that you are serious about making payments on a regular basis.

You can work with the your creditors to start repairing your credit. If you do this you'll find that if you lessen your debt, then your scores will improve. If you are trying to repair extremely poor credit and you can't get a credit card, consider a secured credit card. A secured credit card will give you a credit limit equal to the amount that you deposit with the issuing bank. It allows you to regain your credit score at minimal risk to the lender.

Following the tips above should will guide you to better habits and a better mindset. Should further advice be required then it is recommended that you seek the assistance of a credit specialist. Dealing with credit rating issues sooner than later will eliminate a long term issue when you need credit the most. Don't avoid your credit. Face it and fix it. Everything that goes on a report can come off of a report.

The Costs of Bad Credit

Life’s easier if you have good credit, financially speaking. It can be challenging to get to that point, but aiming for great credit is a worthwhile goal, considering how costly it can be to have bad credit.

Poor credit can result from a variety of reasons. Slow or late payments have the largest impact on your credit score. Utilization is also very impactful on your scores as well. Most sight will inform you that a 30% utilization of your credit card balances is good. At The Credit Commission we are informing you that a 19% or lower utilization will give you a better score than 30%. No matter the reason, having bad credit means your history (or lack of history) makes you seem like a risky borrower to a potential lender. If you have bad credit, you’ll want to work to improve it. Otherwise, you will face obstacles.

The lower your credit score, the less likely you are to be approved for loans and credit cards. If you’re approved, your poor credit standing often results in higher interest rates on the loan.

Credit reports and credit scores aren’t the only factors in loan-application decisions, but you want them to be an asset, not a liability. There are hundreds of credit scoring models out there, and you’ll never know which ones your potential lenders will use in their decision-making processes, so it helps to focus on the fundamentals (paying on time, using credit conservatively, etc.).


Having poor credit is costly. Yes, high interest rates will force you to pay more than someone with great credit who is borrowing the same amount of money, but non-credit industries also consult consumer reports and scores when pricing their products.

For example: When you set up your utilities or get renter’s or car insurance, your credit standing may play a role in determining how much you pay. If you don’t meet certain credit standards of your electricity provider, you may have to pay a deposit when you have services turned on. Utility companies do this because statistically, people with poor credit are more likely to fall behind on or fail to pay bills. By asking for more money upfront, they protect themselves from loss.

Your landlord will probably pull your credit when you apply for an apartment, too, because he or she wants to know if you’re likely to pay the rent on time. Again, you may be required to pay a higher deposit because of poor credit.

Potential employers can also pull your credit reports, though you have to give them permission to do so. Certain states restrict the use of credit reports in the hiring process, so check to see what your state allows.

Even if you’re not planning on taking out loans, you should stay on top of your credit standing by regularly reviewing your credit reports and scores. Failing to check them could lead to disappointment when it becomes time for you actually need to utilize your credit. You are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the major credit bureaus.

How to Remove Personal Information From The Bureaus (Equifax)

This is a method to assist you in removing addresses, former names, incorrect SSN variations and employers from your credit reports. It is very important to delete those items from your report and have your reports on the same algorithm.

DATE

VIA U.S. CERTIFIED MAIL

Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30374 – 0256

Re: Clients Name SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX


Dear Equifax,

Please take notice that I am updating my personal information with all credit reporting agencies as described in §1681a(p) to ensure that I am protected as a consumer. Therefore, I have enclosed proof of current residence, social security number, and a copy of my identification card. Please update my information accordingly. Any of the following personal information (any name variations, social security number variations or date of birth variations) that differs from the information listed below I hereby request its removal.

Name: Date of Birth:

Social Security No: XXX-XX-XXXX

Address:

Employer:

Phone#:

Please update my personal information accordingly. Thank you for your kind attention to this important matter. I patiently await your reply.

Sincerely,

Clients Name

Consumer


How to Remove Personal Information From The Bureaus (Transunion)

This is a method to assist you in removing addresses, former names, incorrect SSN variations and employers from your credit reports. It is very important to delete those items from your report and have your reports on the same algorithm.

DATE

VIA U.S. CERTIFIED MAIL

TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center

PO Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016


Re: Clients Name SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX


Dear Transunion,

Please take notice that I am updating my personal information with all credit reporting agencies as described in §1681a(p) to ensure that I am protected as a consumer. Therefore, I have enclosed proof of current residence, social security number, and a copy of my identification card. Please update my information accordingly. Any of the following personal information (any name variations, social security number variations or date of birth variations) that differs from the information listed below I hereby request its removal.

Name: Date of Birth:

Social Security No: XXX-XX-XXXX

Address:

Employer:

Phone#:

Please update my personal information accordingly. Thank you for your kind attention to this important matter. I patiently await your reply.

Sincerely,

Clients Name

Consumer



How to Remove Personal Information From The Bureaus (Experian)

This is a method to assist you in removing addresses, former names, incorrect SSN variations and employers from your credit reports. It is very important to delete those items from your report and have your reports on the same algorithm.

DATE

VIA U.S. CERTIFIED MAIL

Experian                                                                                           

PO Box 9701                                                                                             

Allen, TX 75013

Re: Clients Name SSN: XXX-XX-XXXX


Dear Experian,

Please take notice that I am updating my personal information with all credit reporting agencies as described in §1681a(p) to ensure that I am protected as a consumer. Therefore, I have enclosed proof of current residence, social security number, and a copy of my identification card. Please update my information accordingly. Any of the following personal information (any name variations, social security number variations or date of birth variations) that differs from the information listed below I hereby request its removal.

Name: Date of Birth:

Social Security No: XXX-XX-XXXX

Address:

Employer:

Phone #:

Please update my personal information accordingly. Thank you for your kind attention to this important matter. I patiently await your reply.

Sincerely,

Clients Name

Consumer

                                                                                        



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