Sunday, March 29, 2009

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You can see all the details that your present and previous creditors had reported. These things will have a great impact on your credit rating. If any such discrepancies occurred, it is important that you report the matter immediately to the agency and provide them necessary documents to support your dispute. If in case you were denied credit by a particular lending company, it is best to get the credit report from the concerned credit agency that the company used to evaluate you. The bottom line: no person or company knows your credit rating better than you do. Hence, the best person to fix your bad credit rating is yourself. Chances are the businesses that offer credit rating fixes may even make matters worst. Keep in mind that these are businesses and hence they are not concerned with your credit rating but rather your money. Of course, they will not be making transactions on your behalf without proper charges.
Just
try to keep this in mind: you can do exactly what these businesses can do when it comes to fixing bad credit rating. This data may pertain to your good credit standing with other businesses that do not provide credit reports to the three credit bureau, a resettlement of unpaid accounts, etc. Credit cards are one of the financial industry's success stories over the last half century, going from strength to strength since the first general purpose card was invented by Joseph P. Williams of the Bank of America in 1958. There's no doubt that plastic can be a great convenience, making it easier to shop online, by mail order, and by telephone. However, it's also widely accepted that credit cards have a serious dark side, although you might perhaps not know that by looking at card issuer advertising and marketing materials. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to rack up debts on your card account with little to show for the money you've spent. The first major culprit in building up debt is impulse spending. Paying with plastic just doesn't feel the same as spending with cold hard cash, at least until your credit card statement arrives. Also avoid using your card to pay bills and other day to day expenses, unless you plan to repay this borrowing when your statement comes. As well as allowing payment for goods and services, most card accounts now let you withdraw cash from ATMs and pay by check. Be very careful when making use of these services, as the interest rates charged on them are usually higher than the normal purchase rate.
Even
by following the above steps to minimize your debt, most people will end up carrying a balance from month to month. This is where possibly the most important advice comes into play: never pay just the minimum amount required.
Years
ago, the minimum payment was fairly high, at 5% of the outstanding balance. These days, the more common figure is 3% or even 2%. If you only repay this small amount each month, nearly all of your repayment will be swallowed up by interest charges, leaving your debt virtually untouched. This situation can increase the amount of time it takes to clear your debt by literally years, and is hugely expensive in the long run. Lastly, while we're talking about repayments, make sure that you set up an automatic monthly repayment for your card account. It's very easy to overlook making a payment, and the fees charged for late or missed payments are one of the main ways credit card companies make their profits. Credit scores are provided by three primary credit repositories: Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. These are basically huge databases that house credit information on almost everybody in the country. And how do they get all this information about us? Well, creditors (like credit card, automobile and mortgage companies) are always looking for information about potential clients; people like you and me. They get that information from these repositories but in exchange, they agree to provide data about all their customers back into the same databases.
Credit
reporting in its current form is still relatively new and a lot of people, particularly in the older generations, are still unaware of all this information being held about them and their credit histories. My own parents, for example, were shocked when I told them such databases exist and the extent of information available. What is a credit score actually trying to reflect? First, you should know that the median credit score in this country is right around 720.
That
means half the population has a higher credit score and other half has a lower score. So the average person in this country has pretty darn good credit. In fact, only about 1% of the population has a score below 500. Many Mortgage Brokers gently nudge their clients DOWN the ladder of loan programs because it makes their lives easier. We should also mention that there are actually 10 different score cards that calculate credit scores. Are you young with only very recent credit history? Do you own a house and have mortgage debt? Have you ever declared bankruptcy?
And
lastly, before we look at how the scores are calculated, we need to discuss the fact that each of the three credit repositories has its own score. Equifax has the Beacon score and Trans Union has the Classic score.
Okay.
So for your credit score, the single biggest component is your Payment History. It accounts for a full 35% of your total score. Within Payment History, the repositories look at (1) recency, (2) frequency and (3) severity. In fact, they consider the most recent six months the most, followed by the past two years and then anything after that.
The
more recent, the bigger the effect on your score.
Your
Revolving Balances account for 30% of your total score.
Obviously,
the higher your balances, the lower your score. It makes sense if you think about it. And the repositories calculate your balances on both individual accounts as well as aggregated across all your accounts. Its worthwhile noting your credit score has absolutely NO memory. Most report once each month and the day they pick may OR may NOT coincide with your statement date. So the balance reflected on your credit report may NOT match the balance reflected on your most recent statement. If your balances are high, your score will be lower. The next biggest component is your Credit History. It accounts for 15% of your score. Your Credit History looks at the age of your oldest account and the number of new accounts opened recently. Again, the logic makes sense. So with these new unknowns, the risk level goes up and the credit score goes down. Next on the list is the Type of Credit. It accounts for 10% of your credit score. Type of Credit looks at both open AND closed accounts. It looks at the type of credit you use and how many accounts of each you have, or have had. The three major types of credit are (1) revolving, (2) installment and (3) mortgages. These accounts are the "no payments for 12 months" type of accounts. You know the ones. Buy now, pay later. The last component of your credit score is the Number of Inquiries. Inquiries account for the final 10% of your credit score. Now, there are two types of inquiries. We all get tons of credit card offers in the mail. Well, each of these companies checked our credit before sending us their offers. The second kind of inquiry is a Hard Inquiry. So every time you apply for a new credit card or try to buy a car or a house, those are all Hard Inquiries. Only these inquiries are considered in your credit score. Generally speaking, you should limit the number of inquiries to 5 to 7 per year. We might visit three or four different car dealerships. We might speak with two or three different Mortgage Bankers before submitting our loan application. The science of credit scoring already extremely complicated and it continues to evolve. Even now, your credit score is an amazingly accurate assessment of your character. Patrick Schwerdtfeger is a licensed Mortgage Banker located in Northern California.
Probably
everyone knows that there are three major credit bureaus in the US, which are Experian, Trans Union, and Equifax.
People
know these three credit bureaus gather information about you on a regular basis from all your accounts, paid and unpaid, and just about any financial obligation you have. As just as unfortunate, there is MUCH more to the story.
The
secret is that your credit report contains errors, almost guaranteed. There are probably accounts listed there that you closed years ago that are still showing an outstanding unpaid balance.
There
may be accounts on your credit report that do not even belong to you, but someone with a similar name in a different city, or perhaps someone that has a social security number that is just a couple of digits off from yours, where the error was made during manual data entry. They do not share information amongst themselves.
Some
of your creditors may only report to one of them, some may report to two of them, some (like your mortgage company) may report to all three of them every month. What this all adds up to mean is two things. First, not one of the credit bureaus has an accurate or completely correct version of you to be able to accurately and fairly assign you with a credit score or credit rating. There are multiple things you can do to get your credit report corrected, and it is something that you need to start on, right now, and make it a regular part of what you do every month. Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. The companies that issue credit cards know this all too well, and they market their credit cards to people who really can't afford to use them. Now, obviously the best way to stay away from credit card debt is to simply never use a credit card. Never getting a credit card is really not feasible in today's world, however.
If
you really can't fight the temptation to overspend, put the card in a tupperware container or tin can, fill it with water and put it in the freezer. William Blake offers advice about dealing with excessive credit card debt on the Debtopedia website. These can be physical blocks, such as a cluttered living room or kitchen but they can also be emotional issues, mental clarity or personal relationships. Hire a coach to verbalize all the things you have to do, haven't done, and the feelings that go along with all of that. You can also lighten your mental load by writing down or journaling the stuff that is taking up mindspace. At this point, you don't have to take any action on it. The objective is to clear it from your head. Even if they are family members that you cannot avoid altogether, take steps to limit your time with them and set boundaries around what activities you allow them to engage you in. Be honest in your evaluation.
Who
is helping you and who is dragging you down?
Who
is eating up your time and giving nothing back?
Who
makes you feel good, supported and energized? Forgive and forget. Let it go. Call that person up or write them a letter you never send, but get over it.
Work
with a mental health professional if necessary but you can't move on if you're stuck in yesterday. Start with one small area like the kitchen counter or junk drawer and finish it in one shot. Focus your energy on this one space; don't think about the messy garage or bedroom closet. You can even invest extras into your small project such as putting in a drawer liner or organizing tray. This may encourage you to protect it from future clutter. It's important to come up with a system as you organize and also to take steps to prevent clutter from even coming into your home. Along with limiting caffeine, sugar and alcohol, look at eliminating junk food, tobacco and any other thing that ages, erodes, clogs up or adds weight to your body and puts your health at risk.
It's
also good to update your personal appearance. Are you still sporting an '80s haircut or wearing clothes you bought five or ten years ago? Establish a budget and start living within your means. Can you imagine all of the free time you'll gain when you are not worrying about money? No more shopping around for credit and transfer balance deals. No more writing out checks or purchasing money orders.
No
more avoiding phone calls from creditors and lawyers. No more feeling guilty. Don't use whiny and apologetic language to ask for what you want. Eliminate euphemisms and toss out denials ("Just because he is sleeping with another woman doesn't mean he doesn't love me."
Get rid of the swear words, hostile comments, and the idea that you must voice your opinion about everything. Throw your judgment of others to the wayside. Use it! It's your life, your time, your resources and you have the absolute right to use it as you see fit. Don't feel you have to explain, excuse or justify saying "no" to office observers, gossips or nosy individuals. If a tradition has lost its meaning or purpose and is just a timewaster, then get rid of it.
When
anyone says "but we've always done it this way", figure out why. Make a decision that you will set aside time that is just for you. Start with 15 minutes a day if that's all you can find. Lock your door, turn off the phone, or whatever it takes, but it's important to create a space where you can focus on only you. Meditate, pray, write in a journal or eat an apple. Vivian Banta (MBA/Coach U CTP Grad) is a life and transition coach who works with people who want to fully engage in their lives or who are experiencing changes such as relocation, career shifts, and personal relationship changes. More and more of us are taking getting credit cards these days, and many of us find it very difficult to even make the regular minimum payment, much less pay off the entire balance every month. Some people think about taking out a debt consolidation loan to pay off all their cards and only have one lower monthly payment. One of the options to consider is to take the balance of all your cards and transfer it onto one card. The best thing to do would be to see which of your credit card accounts offers the lowest interest rate and transfer all the balances onto this account, thereby lowering your overall interest rate. However, if you are thinking about going this route you should also consider closing all but one of your credit card accounts. Another option is to open another credit card account with an introductory 0% interest rate on all balance transfers, and transfer all your balances onto that one. This way for a period of time you will not be paying any interest at all, and if you are disciplined you can make extra payments and it will all go towards paying off the balance and none to interest. However, when this introductory period is over it is important to know what the interest rate will be and to take action again if it is fairly high. Probably the last option that you should consider would be to borrow the money to pay off your credit cards from a family member or a friend.
In
order for this to work you would need to draw up a formal contract with the repayment plan and interest rate clearly stated. Whichever option you decide to go with, the important thing is that you do something about your credit card debt now. Ken Nordstand very often pens news on themes relating to debt loans and consumer debt repair. If you are drooling over the bad credit history you've gotten yourself into, then worry not because you are not alone who is facing such kind of ordeal. Most of the businessmen and other regular individuals also happen to incur bad credit histories. Such thing has yet become part of the many cancers of the society. There are a couple of disadvantages though which come associated with earning bad credit history. The very basic one is that it hinders you the enjoyment of some credit privileges. Are you already tired of thinking about repairing your bad credit damages? Then you've ultimately gotten yourself a chance to fix up the mess you have been in for several years. The secret to it? It is none other than using the credit card offers for bad credit. The trick to the game is by scouting for the right credit card offers for bad credit repairs. The credit report talks about the lists of the pertinent information regarding you and it includes the manner of how you pay your dues, how come you've earned your overdue accounts, your history line of defaulting on the loans you've once had, and if you can be trusted with the borrowed money. You must understand that the credit card companies have a sole concern and that is looking into your personality when it comes to paying your credits. It will be very hard for them to trust you once again if they think you always become a fraud with loans. There are nearly thousands of individuals who are suffering from bad credits and they are not into the enjoyment of the benefits of credit card offers. Such case has been given enough consideration though. There are credit card offers for bad credit which are especially designed for persons who've got stains in their credit reputation. With the credit card offers for bad credit, you lessen the chances of you availing a secured credit card that obliges you to deposit at least twice of the amount of your predetermined credit limit in a certain bank account which is to be used as some form of collateral. If there is one common feature provided by bad credit credit cards, it is none other than the reporting habit. Most of the bad credit credit cards report from time to time your inability to pay your dues. This will then give you an open slate and you are made fully aware of what is about to happen in the event that you again fail to meet your obligations. If you are only wise enough, you can save yourself from becoming a victim of one of the very scrupulous credit card offers for bad credit. Take time to browse the internet for some options that you may avail of. There is always something which you can do for a bad credit mess.
Are
you bothered with those endless calls from your creditors just to nail you down and force you to pay your existing balances? Are you having a hard time getting a job or even finding some place to rent because of your bad credit standing? Have you ever wondered why some people know how to fix bad credit fast? With so many options, finding the best strategy in fixing bad credit seems to be hard work. The problem is that many consumers are trying to find solutions that will teach them how to fix bad credit fast. They do not know that there is no easy way out of debt.
After
all, the actual generation of one's bad credit standing did not happen overnight. Like any endeavor, you need to work on it. Before, you needed to be at the department store or supermarket just to purchase the items that you wanted. Today, you no longer have to be physically present in every transaction. However, this privilege has been abused, misused, and worst, exploited. Many consumers think of their credit privileges as extensions of their financial resources. Consumers only realize their mistakes when they are already facing various reprimands or demand letters compelling them to pay the overdue accounts and balances. Plus, the inconvenience of having to bargain hard with other lending institutions or even rental services is definitely a drawback. Hence, creating solutions that will effectively eliminate debts and the unseen forces that trigger credit problems is imperative. You have to work hard at it. Consolidating your debts lets you combine all your debts into a single debt. This means that you only have one debt to take care of. Plus, you get to enjoy lower interest rates. Moreover, with debt consolidations, you are only facing one creditor. This means that you only have one company or one person to deal with. Hence, payment each month is made easier and more convenient. Among other things, delaying payment is the number factor that triggers bad credit standing. If you pay your bills on time, you never have to worry about fixing a bad credit problem. Never leave balances outstanding. The problem is that massively accumulated debts are usually harder to deal with. The more you max out your credit card limits, the more you pay. The idea is to limit all your transactions based on your capacity to pay each billing period. Best of all, always try to pay the outstanding debt first before you can make another transaction. Indeed, learning how to fix bad credit fast may take some time and some research before you can effectively eradicate those annoying numbers off your bill. Being accepted for a credit card is easy for some people, however, in life, finances can become a strain. Well, in hard times, people can add up debt, miss vital payments, such as mobile phone bills, credit card bills, important payments, such as mortgage bills, and other payments that can affect your overall credit rating.
Once
the credit rating has been affected, it can be hard trying to get it improved. When income is down, debts can get worse and worse, payments can become harder to pay, it can add up and get on top of you. If things do get this bad, there is always help, although your credit rating will suffer, it can eventually be put right. A debt management plan could help you to regain control of your finances by allowing you to put down only what you can afford to pay after living costs. Your credit rating will be affected, however, once the debts are cleared, your credit rating will likely be reset, and regardless of what letters you receive saying it will take you 6 years to recover from such a plan. Once you have your debt cleared, you will likely be in a secure job or for the self employed, business should have improved, your income will be higher, if you get a simple credit card, purchase small items on the card, but then pay off the card quickly, and this will improve your credit rating fast. They can secure a credit card as long as they have some income of some kind. The company will normally accept your credit card application, and from there, will give you a much higher interest than usual. The good news is if you keep making your payments on time, you will be able to apply for a new card with a much lower interest. So how do you choose the best one?
What
should you look for in a credit card? Also known as APR (annual percentage rate), this is essentially a percentage that is charged to you, the consumer, if you do not pay your credit card bills on time. APRs change frequently, but once you apply for and receive a credit card you will have that rate for the life of the card. Some credit cards will charge you interest on your entire monthly balance, even if some or most of it was paid off. Who would this be particularly beneficial to? This can be especially beneficial to consumers if you have an existing credit card with a large balance and are paying high interest rates on it. By choosing a new credit card with an introductory offer of 0% interest, you can buy yourself time to pay off that balance without paying interest on it anymore. Credit cards are essentially loans that you take out each time you use your card. You are borrowing money from your credit card issuer to purchase goods and services. There are usually limits to how much cash you can take out and you should watch out for the rates that credit cards charge to take this cash out (through a bank, ATM, or by check). This is a ceiling, or a maximum amount of money that your credit card issuer will allow you to spend using that credit card. And these days there are more things to compare than just interest rates and fees. Now, credit card holders can be rewarded for their using credit cards. Credit card companies will often reward their cardholders for making purchases with the cards. Rewards can range from airline tickets to cash back to hotel discounts, depending on which credit card you apply for. When you have a certain number of points, you are able to redeem them for the reward that your credit card offers. How can you use these types of cards to your best advantage? Do you drive a lot and use a lot of gasoline? Do you shop at a particular store a lot? Consumers usually choose rewards credit cards that match their spending habits the best. If you travel a lot, it would be best to get a credit card that offers airline rewards. For instance, if you fly frequently but usually fly on Midwest Express, make sure your credit card offers rewards for Midwest Express and not American Airlines. Consumers should always keep credit card receipts in a safe place, shred them, or at the very least make sure that the credit card number and expiration date is not shown on the receipt before you throw it out. In some cases, they do not authorize payments until they get approval from the card holder. Too many business owners think they can run their business by charging business expenses on their own personal credit cards rather than using a business credit card.
Using
a personal credit card for business purposes can turn into quite the disaster. And sooner or later, you're going to mess something up. Don't fall for the myth. It's just not the case. Just like you need your own credit history, your business needs to establish its own credit history as well. One of the best ways to do this is with a business credit card. Being a traveler that often uses the airlines as your means of getting around, you want to be able to have a good air miles credit card. The first thing that must be considered is what airlines are available to you at the airports you will probably use the most. Be sure to consider both ends of your destinations. If you go with an airlines credit card then this means that you will get the best deals for that card only on that particular airline. Next, consider the introductory offer on the credit card and see what its features are. Generally you will have anywhere between 3 months up to 15 months for an introductory offer. This will usually give you 0% APR interest on any new purchases, and may or may not give you the same on balance transfers. Consider the various rewards that the card offers you. See not only how many air miles it gives you up front, but also look at just how many air miles are needed for your first free flight. Also check to see if your air miles have an expiration date. Your purchases could also provide you with some rewards. These vary from one card to another but generally will give you one air mile for each dollar you spend on purchases. Some will give you as much as 2 air miles per dollar spent.
Be
sure to look at the interest rate on the air miles credit card, too. This is the rate you will be paying when the introductory offer expires. Note that some of these credit cards may have an annual fee after the first year, and other fees may apply as well. Have you ever tried to purchase a brand new car or any of those properties that you have set your heart on but were frustrated in the end because you could not obtain credit to finance your purchase? By definition, acredit rating is the approximate figure of the total credit that could be given to an individual or a company, minus the risks. It is an assessment of your credit history and your ability to make payments. You do not have to live through your life with a bad credit reputation and you do not have to cry over future purchases again. Everything begins by knowing where you currently stand. Request a copy of your credit rating from one of the three major bureaus: Trans Union, Equifax or Experian.
Once
you have obtained your copy, review it thoroughly. Look for any incorrect or old information that may still be there. Old information could be data regarding your credit that has stayed for more than 7 years or bankruptcy info that has been there for more than 10 years. If the reason for your bad credit rating is the occurrence of debts, let it be your goal to fix and repay all the debts in the shortest time possible. Begin with those debts that come with high interest rates then work down the ladder. If you think that your debts are beyond your capacity to fix, there are several agencies that offer help regarding this matter. You can make use of their services minus the hassle of paying for exorbitant fees for legal experts. If you are ever denied of credit because of bad credit rating, make sure to assert your right and know exactly why you were turned down.
Upon
hearing the counselor's advice, consolidate your debts immediately. Your counselor should be the one to contact the creditors to avoid further finance charges. Physically cut up your credit cards to avoid further use. If you can't have the heart to do this, at least be responsible in using your credit cards. And if you can, do not close out accounts no matter how bad your rating has become. The best thing to do is to settle all your obligations with your existing credits and rebuild your name with them.
The
oldest rule in staying out of debt: pay your bills on time. Be sure to make regular payments and in case you really can't, explain your situation to your creditors. Sometimes an explanation is all it takes for them to give you an extension. If no longer qualify to have a credit card because of your bad credit rating reputation, the best thing to do is to apply for secure cards. They are much like credit cards, and they do appear like one in credit reports, but you are the one who would finance them. Do not get a credit report only when you have a bad credit rating.
It
pays to take a look at your credit score even if you know that you are doing well. Apply only for credit that you need. Multiple applications on credit card companies would reflect on your credit report and this could badly damage your credit rating. Remember your goal constantly.
Fix,
fix, fix. Try to fix your bad credit rating.
At
the end of it all, the only one who can really fix your bad credit rating is still you.
By
definition, acredit rating is the approximate figure of the total credit that could be given to an individual or a company, minus the risks. It is an assessment of your credit history and your ability to make payments. You do not have to live through your life with a bad credit reputation and you do not have to cry over future purchases again. Everything begins by knowing where you currently stand. Request a copy of your credit rating from one of the three major bureaus: Trans Union, Equifax or Experian. Once you have obtained your copy, review it thoroughly.
Look
for any incorrect or old information that may still be there. Old information could be data regarding your credit that has stayed for more than 7 years or bankruptcy info that has been there for more than 10 years.
Everyone
is probably aware that the big three nationwide credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) maintain credit reports on you and everyone else. As far as credit information about you, some of them have more, some have less, and this is because any particular lender or credit reference probably only reports to one of them, maybe two of them. The reason for outlining the information above is to allow you to see the logical conclusion that we are coming to.
Since
the credit bureaus maintain such a tremendous volume of data, errors are inevitable. Errors are almost guaranteed. And study after study has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that while it is unfortunate, a MAJORITY of consumers have at least one error or inaccuracy on their credit report.
But
the fact that makes this even worse is that these errors do not get corrected or fixed automatically. This begs the question of how and when does this wrong information get corrected. The answer is that it does not get corrected, not unless YOU initiate the dispute with the credit bureau and insist that it get corrected. What? You paid off your Sears account on time and you know for a fact that it has a zero balance. You call Sears customer service and they verify that you have a zero balance. So what do you do? You file a dispute with the two credit bureaus that have reported this inaccurate information. The credit bureaus are then required by law to verify the REAL scoop about your Sears account and have the correct data shown. But again, this does not happen unless YOU initiate the dispute. There are many such errors, and it is up to YOU to file the dispute and get the information corrected. There is a wide variety of information you can get changed, all of which will raise your credit score because of how lenders perceive your value to them, which is all derived from information in your credit report. My web site contains information about when and how this happens, but most importantly, what you can do about it. Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. What you don't know about credit inquires can destroy your credit score and effect what you can qualify for. Whether you are shopping for a cell phone, car, home loan, insurance, or just curious about wanting to see what you could qualify for, a credit inquiry can cost you points on your credit score. Even a reduction in credit points may seem trivial. A change in credit points over a 30 year period can cost 1000's if not 10,000's of dollars in higher interest payments.
Furthermore
to some it can mean the difference of being able to qualify for a home, car, or other financing that is necessary in today's world. Usually a credit inquiry will result in a less than a five point reduction in your credit score. However with multiple inquiries comes the likelihood that the score will plummet and the interest rates for purchases will go up. There are several different credit inquiries. An inquiry for a specific purchase will have a freezing point for a 2 week period. In other words if you were shopping for a car you could have your credit pulled, (also called an credit report inquiry) at several car lots during a two week period and it would only count as one inquiry. This type of inquiry usually results in less than five point drop in the credit score. The second type of credit inquiry is when a person is attempting to obtain different types of credit that is not related, such as car financing inquiry and purchase of a cell phone. These two items are not related. When an inquiry is placed on the credit report it will cause the score to go down. This results in the score going down twice because of the different types of credit inquiries. Another common credit inquiry is when a marketing company purchases a list from the credit bureau.
These
offers usually come by mail and this type of inquiry does not affect your score. The credit bureau's theory is it would be unfair to penalize a person who hadn't inquired about a credit purchase and had no control of receiving the unsolicited offer. Even though these offers do not affect your credit score they can be an annoyance.
This
type of offer can be used by potential thieves as a source for identity theft or credit fraud. Reviewing your own credit from credit bureau sources will not affect your credit score. Your credit request (for simply review) does not hurt your score. It is your right to know what is in your complete credit file. The information on these credit reports are identical to what a lender, underwriter or creditor will see. However the credit scores on these credit reports can vary because of the way credit bureaus interpret your score. When considering a purchase of a home or car it is always best to check with a professional in that field of financing. Your credit score can be destroyed by simple credit inquiries. The way to avoid loosing credit points is to have your loan approved for a car, home, or other credit purchase prior to going on a shopping spree. Credit Inquiries are supposed to remain on your credit report for up to two years. The fact is you may have to ask the credit bureaus/creditors to have them removed after their expiration. The below numbers are directly to the credit bureaus and will allow you to order your credit reports directly. By reviewing your credit you can see recent inquiries for credit purchases. Should you notice names of unfamiliar creditors, it could be an early sign of identity theft or credit fraud. Simply call the all three credit bureaus and have them place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will stop most credit theft. Raise your credit score. Get more credit news and other money saving information at his website www.GreatCreditSecrets.com. It is a well known fact that there are many different credit cards available today. In order to pick a credit card that will work for you, pick one that reflects your lifestyle as well as your ideal spending limit. When picking a credit card, you will first need to decide what you need the credit card for. Some people want a credit card simply for the purpose of cash flow. Making purchases on a credit card, can then free up your income. You can put that money in your bank account and let it draw interest. This allows your money to earn interest, all the while you are still able to buy the things you need. Instant cash purposes is another popular reason people get credit cards. They are then able to use the credit card at any ATM to obtain cash. Credit cards used for these purposes are great for an extended vacation or when traveling in general. With any credit card, it is always important to consider the monthly payments. You will either need to pay the credit card balance off each month or make the minimum required payment.
When
choosing a credit card, be sure to look at the balance transfer rates, any introductory rates, as well as any incentives that might apply to new credit card holders.
Credit
card incentives are another important area to keep in mind. Many credit cards offer incentives such as reward points or cash back for certain purchases. The APR or Annual Percentage Rate is another important area to look at. Whenever the incentive period ends, you will then pay the APR.
The
minimum monthly payment is another area that must be looked at when choosing a credit card. Often times, credit card companies require you to pay about 3% of your total balance. Some credit cards are considerably lower, while others require a considerably higher amount. Choose a credit card with the longest interest free period available. After you have done the research and know exactly what you are getting into, you can then choose a credit card with ease. Credit cards can be a great thing to have. However, they can cause financial troubles if not used properly. If you do your homework, you will quickly be able to find the credit card that is right for you. Credit cards are widely used anywhere in the world. People find it quite handy to have such a card, which provides a lot of convenience and flexibility. Benefit programs such as reward credit cards serves as an innovative instrument to stay competitive in the market. If you're a frequent traveler, you may find having a reward travel card very useful. If you are about to choose a particular credit card, consider the rewards features of the credit card company. It would be best if you could compare several card companies, and just make sure that you choose one that will suit your needs best. Determine first hand how you are going to use your credit card. You must be aware that there are credit card companies which provide for a particular airline travel. The use of the credit card provides convenience but it doesn't mean that you should not be concerned with its cost. It is still possible to find one card which offers a considerable amount of convenience which at the same time offers the highest possible savings. There are times when the use of cash during your travel is inevitable.
A
card which allows you to make cash advances will be quite an advantage. However, make sure that you make inquiries about cash advance charges. This step is needed so that you will not be shocked just in case you receive a huge bill at the end of the month.
The
value for the travel rewards is not the same all throughout, and it differs greatly from card to card.
Familiarize
yourself with all the aspects of your credit card, including the value and schedule of your rewards. If you don't have travel insurance, you can choose a card which provides for it. The insurance includes lost luggage, emergency expatriation, medical evacuation, and other emergencies. Check with the card company about maximum monetary value limit before the rewards are offered.
Remember
that in making any purchases, you will be able to earn points but make sure that you pay all your dues every month, otherwise, the rewards will not be of any worth. Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. Capital One secured credit cards have broken the mold when it comes to secured credit cards. Unlike many other secured credit cards, Capital One secured credit cards actually have very reasonable interest rates. Of course, you usually are only charged this fee if you're approved (and if the company is legitimate, they put the fee on the credit card they are issuing you). This is, however, for your own good. Capital One secured credit cards are intended to help you rebuild your credit. So now that you know how much credit you can get with a Capital One secured credit card, you're probably wondering what the minimum deposit amount is to open one. Unlike most secured credit cards, Capital One secured credit cards don't require a few hundred dollars to open your account. Instead of applying for a secured card directly, you should try applying for their regular, unsecured credit card. Many people who think they won't qualify for an unsecured Capital One card actually do. If you're serious about getting a secured credit card and rebuilding your credit, you can't go wrong with Capital One. These days credit card or plastic money is very popular and used extensively. It is indeed of great utility if used in a calculative manner, but it is also the main cause that leads many people trap into credit card debt. Many of retailers are implementing easy payment scheme for their products or services, with some fraction amount of money for monthly installed, you can buy thousand of dollars of items or go for a luxury vacation which you can't afford to buy if one lump sum of money is needed, these monthly installment are automatically charge to your credit card. Every month, you just pay the minimum amount of your credit card balance and you continue spend on your credit card. The above example is just a simple case study to show you how your credit card debt may piles up so quickly without you even aware of it. You need a lot of time and spend a lot of money on interest in order to get rid of this debt. If you are already at this situation, the first thing you need to do is to change your behavior of paying the minimum only.
Paying
more each month will definitely pay off your debt faster but the question is you may say that you can't afford to pay more than the minimum. For example, we use back Scott's case. Cornie Herring is the Author from www.StudyKiosk.com. In order to accept credit cards either online or through your physical storefront, one of the things you are going to need is an account with a credit card processing provider. The rate that you will be charged depends upon many factors including the type of product or service you sell and the amount of the average sales transaction. Be prepared to pay higher fees if you are in those industries and be prepared to spend some time finding a credit card processing provider that is willing to serve you. Your best advice is to shop around, read the contract carefully and completely before signing, and have your attorney and accountant review all of the paperwork before you commit. This article has been provided by Creditor Web. One of the realities faced by many individuals today is dealing with bad credit situation. Sometimes people can spend more than they can afford. Some have had to face large medical bills due to reasons they could not avoid. There are things like the constant notices for payment, worries over interests and even the possibility of being involved in a lawsuit.
One
must get the right credit repair services to ensure that the problem will be resolved properly. There are bad credit fixing services available in almost every city today due to the number of people who are involved in credit card plans and other financial schemes. However, it is not wise to rely on anything that first comes your way.
Many
of those who offer their services are no good at resolving the problem at all. Some may turn out as another fraudulent offer. Some will only get your personal information for their own advantage. You may also be clueless of the many technical, legal and practical aspects of fixing a bad credit problem. These guidelines provided here may give some light on how to properly address the situation. Basically, any credit repair will take some time before the problems can be fully resolved. This whole process involves things like monitoring reports, modifying mistakes and removing the bills that are already paid. Thus, make sure you are aware of the different processes and requirements involved in the credit repair. Consider what to expect from the firm and what to inquire further. This should also tell you that there is no such thing as a free credit fix service. This will help you combine all your debts together into one payment scheme. Checking the yellow pages and the online community will give you many options. Try asking other people for recommendations on firms provided good services and you can also inquire to the proper authorities for permits and licenses of these service companies. Protect yourself from the deceiptful credit fix service companies. Credit card means, it is a convention between consumers and the credit issuer. The issuance of credit constitutes an offer of Credit which may be withdrawn by the issuer at any time, for any endorsed reason, and preceding to acceptance of the offer through the use of the credit card by the cardholder. It is not always viable to carry an obese wallet when you go on a shopping fling, or are traveling to far flung places. They as it is are an irritant and at times can be a source of safety scare as well. Every credit card company seems to have a different and enticing offer, and it can be very difficult to work out what will be the best credit card for you. Before taking the credit card, to analyze the credit card APR very carefully.
Many
credit card companies offer very enticing 0 APR deals, but be sure to read the petite print. The APR may be immense for the initial period, but it can take a precipitous incline as soon as that period is over. Credit scoring is the technique used to appraise the prospect of an applicant for finance being able to meet their financial commitments and is subject to an assortment of determining factors. Finding a credit card with good deals isn't always easy. Just about everyone has credit cards today. However, a lot of people are having a hard time making the monthly balance payment. If this is a problem, if each credit card monthly minimum is too much, perhaps you should consider a credit card debt consolidation loan. The simplest method of consolidating credit card debt is to move all of your balances to the credit card with the lowest interest rate. You may be able to take advantage of a new credit card with a low or zero introductory interest rate, and you transfer all of your credit card debt onto that card. Of course, you have to make sure you receive a high enough credit limit from the new company to be able to transfer all of your debt to that card. You also have to choose the credit card that will revert to the lowest annual percentage rate after the introductory period. Better yet would be to calculate your outstanding debt over the introductory period and pay off enough each month to be rid of the debt at the end of the introductory period. Otherwise make sure you know that the interest rate will start to apply after the introductory period. This may be necessary, but if you have shopped around and you know that the new interest rate is still a low one, you will still do better to consolidate like this. Another idea you can try to consolidate your debt is to borrow money from a family member. Then you can pay off your debt and avoid high interest rates and late fees. This usually works out if you take the trouble to make a formal agreement whereby you will repay the loan at a fixed monthly amount and at a certain rate of interest.
Since
the family member would be making less in a savings account, everyone can benefit. Johnathan Bakers publishes at large for www.debtania.com , an internet site on the topic of personal finance . So many people are completely buried by credit card debt, that you even wonder if they understand what is causing it in the first place. Well, whether they understand it or not, most people have too much credit card debt and need to find ways to eliminate it. First of all, stop creating more credit card debt.
Anyone
who is too tempted by buying things with plastic should put those cards away (or even cut all of them up except one for emergencies) and start paying cash for any necessary purchases. The interest rate you are paying on credit card debt is already increasing your balance; no need to add to it more. Disciplining yourself to save up for purchases or only to use cash for purchases, or do without will be a good training because once you have eliminated your debt, you will want to keep it that way. This new habit will make you examine your purchases more closely and only buy what is really necessary. You should make it a rule to never have more than 70% of your credit lines utilized at any one time. Debt consolidation is an option you may want to consider. Under debt consolidation, you transfer all of your outstanding credit card debts to one credit card, at a lower interest rate. It is important, however, to just use this new credit line to pay down the old lines.
Using
it as a new source of funds for purchases will just be counterproductive. When you are shopping for a debt consolidation loan, compare all of the interest rates, but also read the fine print. If there is a large balance transfer fee that may end up making you pay more, or the lower rate may be for a limited time and if your balance is not paid off, you pay end up paying more. You may want to check with your current card companies to see if they can match offers that you get from new companies. Try to make higher and higher payments on your credit card debt.
This
will bring your balance down, and you will also be saving money because the interest will be charged on a lower balance. Above all, do not apply for a new credit card because you have maxed out your old one. You are really asking for trouble then, even assuming you find a credit card company that is stupid enough to grant you more credit. Don't just limit your new found discipline to credit cards. Hold back from any other kinds of loans as well, such as personal or car loans. Jack Blacksmith usually makes publications on issues associated with money management and assets. Article written by Dennis T. The potential for generating business any other way is too remote to consider. People are simply not willing to order online and then have to wait until you receive payment and assure that their check clears the bank before you ship the merchandise. As eCommerce grew and merchants and resellers set up their own websites, it was no longer the internet service provider who handled payments, so the concept of eCommerce credit card processing was introduced. You don't want to jeopardize your profits by taking more or less services than you need because many credit card processing companies charge by the volume and type of cards you accept. You also may want to stay with just the two major credit cards until you determine what your needs are. If you find that you are caught in the middle and need to accept debit cards, but the cost appears prohibitive with your credit card merchant account, you may choose to offer PayPal to your customers as another option. The profitability of your website is contingent about having the lowest possible rates, so you have to research before you make a decision. People seldom know why they have been turned down for credit.
In
fact, it often comes as a shock. Some people don't find out till they are standing in a shop with a store card application in their hands. But did you know that your lifestyle could seriously affect your credit rating? It shows continuity and responsibility, both of which are good for credit reports. Borrowers who have had a long history with the bank and have had different banking products are popular with lenders. So if you've had a credit card, cheque account, loan or authorised overdraft and have paid them all perfectly, this is a good sign for lenders.
Of
course, there's always a tempting new offer from a different bank. Maybe you fancy a larger overdraft, a financial incentive or just a change. First of all, it is important to be on the electoral roll. This makes it easy for lenders to track your address. If you have been at the same address for more than three years, this is also good. Even better for borrowers is owning their own home. This is one of the best indicators of financial responsibility as far as lenders are concerned. People who have been approved for a mortgage must be responsible.
It
also helps a bit if you are relatively mature.
This
is one time when getting older is a benefit.
You
should also have a telephone at home. It pays to apply for a credit card, store card or loan and to make the necessary repayments on time and in full. If, on the other hand, you make late payments, miss payments or don't pay at all, your credit report will look rather different. Arrears, defaults and County Court Judgements (CCJs) do not look good when you're applying for credit.
They
tell lenders that you have mismanaged credit in the past. Of course, even people with poor credit reports can get credit. Payday loans and homeowner loans cater for these people. But the interest rates that are offered to people with a poor credit history are much less attractive than those offered to people with five star rating. Or why your interest rates on loans are different from the interest rates of your friends or neighbors? Your credit scoring is the factor that affect all the above. It is your responsibility to main a good credit score. You will need to use it to get you a best available rate when come to apply for credit. You credit score is derived from three major credit bureaus: Exprian, Equifax and TransUnion.
These
3 major credit bureaus will compile your credit report based on the information provided by the companies that gave your credit in the past. Based on the information such as your payment history, the length of your credit history and the type of credit your have and the amounts owed, the credit bureaus will generate your credit report. And based on your credit report, a number or scores will be assigned to you; this number will be range from 300 to 850. This magic number is your credit score, the higher the number the better you are. When Your Credit Score Count? Your credit score will play an important part when comes to applying loans or other credits, it may save you a significant of interest if you are have good credit score. When you apply for mortgage, car loan, business loan or credit card, the lender or credit company will assess how risky you are as a potential borrower, the higher your score, the less risk you pose to the lender and the more likely you will get a better interest rate for application. You will be offered at a relatively low rate if your credit score is above 700 and if your credit score is above 760, you will get the best available rates because you are the lowest risk borrower at this high of credit score.
You
loan will be approved with high loan rates if your credit score is below 600, and if your credit score is really bad, you may be not be able to borrow at all. Hence, it is important for you to maintain your credit score at high level. It will become important whenever you need credits and it is an important factor to be considered by any financial organization before they approve your credit application. Cornie Herring is the Author from www.StudyKiosk.com. There are a number of mortgage lenders that will work with people who have bad credit. When it comes to obtaining a low mortgage rate, the information on your credit report will play a pivotal role in the interest rates you are given. In most cases, those with less than desirable credit will be given mortgages that have much higher interest rates than applicants who have good credit.
In
addition to this, most lenders will provide more favorable terms to those that have good credit. To get an excellent interest rate on your mortgage, you will at least want to have a credit score of 720 or higher.
To
get a 30 year mortgage that has a fixed rate, you will want to have a minimum credit score of 620. If you have bad credit, statistics shows that you will have a credit score that is lower than this amount. There are two things you can do if you want to get a mortgage but are concerned with your credit rating. You can either wait and improve your credit before applying for a mortgage, or you can look at some of the mortgage options available for those who have less than desirable credit. Depending on your credit situation, it may take you years to repair you credit if you have had to file for bankruptcy. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will want to look at your personal history, especially in the area of your finances.
While
everyone wants to get a low interest rate, there are a number of factors that are taken into consideration when the lender decides what the rate will be. One of the most obvious things that will be taken into consideration is your credit history. In addition to this, lenders will look at your debt to income ratio. This is basically of fraction of how your income compares to the amount of debt you have. The amount of the mortgage loan is also considered as well. Before you decide what type of loan you want to get, it is important to look around for the best options. Author is a writer for a bad credit credit repair website. Find out how to get a bad credit mortgage loan at CreditLiberty.com.
The
Equal Credit Opportunity Act facilitates consumers to enjoy equal opportunities for obtaining credit; but the whole thing depends upon existing debt, credit history, income, creditworthiness, expenses etc. While dealing with varied creditors like credit card companies, credit unions , retail and departmental stores, financial institutions like banks and small loan companies, it has been revealed many times equal opportunity gets distorted. Disparity: As it is The FRB Boston study highlighted the disparity among the mortgage lenders in dispatching loans to the consumers. This is utter violation to the law; again many instances are found where the consumers receive unequal treatment. Banking regulators are investigating their behavior. Data, highlighting unlawful disparity will exert tremendous pressure upon Federal Banking regulators and US Department of Housing and Loan. Census tracked during 1990 proves more than 50% disapprovals comprised the minorities. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1976, being combined, prohibit discrimination against mortgage applicants. Statutory Laws are prominent over the years but hardly steps were taken to suppress disparity in behavior of the lenders. Though, it may be said that lack of publicity of these data was the major cause for lack of actions. Moreover, loans by credit organizations may affect credit score. Mortgage lending rate is comparatively lower in case of African and Latin neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods. Residents of minor neighborhoods do not enjoy equal opportunity like those of white neighborhoods. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act ensures a person if discriminated can check it with The Sate Attorney General.
Whenever
a consumer proves in a court any discrimination from the agency's end, the court fees are totally reimbursed and compensated. People should come forward with more awareness about legal procedures and against undue discrimination. Rejection by several credit organizations results in poor credit report. This leads to further trouble and confusion regarding future financial conditions. Federal law attempts to prevent discrimination on Consumer Finance for better practice of equal consumer credit opportunity. US Civil Rights are highly in practice and properly protected, residents should play a proactive part in preservation of the rights. After the Los Angeles riots, several press highlighted discrimination and the true scene; unbiased contribution from the Fourth Estate was praiseworthy. People finance their homes, buy household materials and often a car; on the other hand loans are required to fulfill the daily life requirements. Often folks take up loans to fund their college fees, and of course lots of people make purchases with credit cards.
One
cannot get credit over nightly; money is not given to strangers. None of the banks, finance companies or retailers provides loans to unknown people as all credit procedures are governed by credit scores. A poor credit score can pull down people's lifestyle and consumer habits. Borrowing habits of individuals depend upon the credit scores. As a result the sales process speeds up. Several factors influence the credit limit. Also there are certain provisions under Equal Credit Opportunity Acts. While determining credit limit, all these should be considered before setting the final limit. In several cases, customers are allowed to cross the credit limit but certain penalties are applicable in such circumstances. Information from the credit agencies are extensively used for granting a specific amount in credit. It is crucial to have a good credit score to grab a credit card with a good credit limit. Credit limits are managed by seasoned professionals; these professionals remain updated about the financial trends and the degree of opportunities and competitions prevailing in the market. A customer's repute in the market is often checked before granting the credit. After checking all the credit details of the customer, the agencies often assign the credit limit. Again, with an in house collection process it becomes easier for the creditors to grant a certain limit of credit. Length of terms and conditions with the customers play a crucial part. The risk is directly proportional with the terms and conditions. Setting credit limit is not a mere calculation, there are people setting limits for financial organizations over the years. Credit agencies provide reports. These reports highlight the past repayment details, present debts, credit histories etc. As per the industry norms and standards, if a customer efficiently shows liquidity, usually he gets a better credit limit. In last five years, credit fraud has grown almost three fold. After any fraud, it becomes very troublesome to re gain a good credit score. After setting a particular credit limit, the creditors even suggests for periodical credit check. High credit limit increases risk by increasing the borrowing capabilities of the consumer.