Archive for November, 2008
When paying debt on your credit report is it better to pay with a check or money order?
BSMNYC asked:
I”m starting to pay off the debts on my credit reports and would like to know would it be better to pay with a money order or personal check. I only ask in the event the payment is disputed and I need to proove payment was sent
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I”m starting to pay off the debts on my credit reports and would like to know would it be better to pay with a money order or personal check. I only ask in the event the payment is disputed and I need to proove payment was sent
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Can I remove a bad mark on my credit report that came from a joint account?
Jaydar asked:
When I was fifteen, my mother gave me a credit card in my name that was connected to her credit account, to be used for emergencies. I used the card responsibly and she never had a problem with it.
When I was fifteen, my mother gave me a credit card in my name that was connected to her credit account, to be used for emergencies. I used the card responsibly and she never had a problem with it.
Without my knowledge, she built up $10,000 worth of debt, and then closed the account without paying it off. This now shows up as a bad mark on my credit report, even though I did not make the charges, never made payments, never signed consent, and did not have any connection between the card and my bank accounts. All the charges in question were made before I was 18. I have paid off all my personal credit cards on time and would have great credit if it weren’t for this debt.
Is there any way to have this removed from my report? Would a letter to the credit reporters be effective? I hate to sound ungrateful to my mother, but I’m worried this will hurt me when I take out loans in the future. Thanks!
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The Importance of Checking Your Credit Report
Paul Hata asked:
Want to know your financial creditworthiness? Have a credit check and determine your personal credit score.Credit check is usually done to verify whether you are eligible for a loan or on any other forms of credit based on your past credit performances.
This will reveal your past as well as your previous credit transactions with different lenders and how you deal with it. Thus, a credit check is the reflection of your past credit performance. It works like a report card, which reveals whether you have pass or fail in a particular subject.
Credit checks are done by lending institutions such as credit card companies and banks on individuals who wish to apply for a loan or any form of credit. In addition, credit checks could also be done by a homeowner whether an individual would be a good tenant or not, as reflected by his or her past credit performance. Insurance firms also run credit checks on individuals who wish to avail of their insurance policies.
You can obtain your credit report containing credit-related information from any of the three major credit-reporting agencies. Furthermore, you can obtain your personal credit reports for free as stated in the FCRA or the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Under this Act, every individual is entitled to receive a free credit report from any of the three major credit-reporting companies in the United States once a year – Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union.
Your free credit report contain your personal information (such as your name and address), how you paid your past and previous bills, and any delinquencies you have committed such as late payments as well as if you have filed for bankruptcy.
To obtain your free credit report, you need to fill up the required form through a centralized credit report website on any of the three major credit bureaus in the United States. You will be required to provide some basic information, which includes your name, permanent address, your social security number, and your birth date.
Your credit report is important in securing yourself against any attempts of identity theft such as credit cards misuse and other forms of fraud. In addition, you must update your credit report regularly as lending institutions would be using such reports to determine if you are worthy enough to be awarded with the loan you have applied for.
After you received your free credit report, you should read each section carefully. All aspects must be included in computing your credit score. So make sure you have paid attention to all of them. Check your report for any discrepancies and make sure that you have not missed any payments at all. Your credit report also comes with the list of individuals or business entities that you have requested credit information from. You may also check to see if such names or entities are familiar with you.
Your free credit report would be used in running a credit check to you when applying for a loan or any other forms of credit. Thus, make sure that it is free of discrepancies or erroneous entries. Keep in mind that this report will reflect your credit performance – ensure that you do not stumble anywhere so that your loan application would always be a success.
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Want to know your financial creditworthiness? Have a credit check and determine your personal credit score.Credit check is usually done to verify whether you are eligible for a loan or on any other forms of credit based on your past credit performances.
This will reveal your past as well as your previous credit transactions with different lenders and how you deal with it. Thus, a credit check is the reflection of your past credit performance. It works like a report card, which reveals whether you have pass or fail in a particular subject.
Credit checks are done by lending institutions such as credit card companies and banks on individuals who wish to apply for a loan or any form of credit. In addition, credit checks could also be done by a homeowner whether an individual would be a good tenant or not, as reflected by his or her past credit performance. Insurance firms also run credit checks on individuals who wish to avail of their insurance policies.
You can obtain your credit report containing credit-related information from any of the three major credit-reporting agencies. Furthermore, you can obtain your personal credit reports for free as stated in the FCRA or the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Under this Act, every individual is entitled to receive a free credit report from any of the three major credit-reporting companies in the United States once a year – Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union.
Your free credit report contain your personal information (such as your name and address), how you paid your past and previous bills, and any delinquencies you have committed such as late payments as well as if you have filed for bankruptcy.
To obtain your free credit report, you need to fill up the required form through a centralized credit report website on any of the three major credit bureaus in the United States. You will be required to provide some basic information, which includes your name, permanent address, your social security number, and your birth date.
Your credit report is important in securing yourself against any attempts of identity theft such as credit cards misuse and other forms of fraud. In addition, you must update your credit report regularly as lending institutions would be using such reports to determine if you are worthy enough to be awarded with the loan you have applied for.
After you received your free credit report, you should read each section carefully. All aspects must be included in computing your credit score. So make sure you have paid attention to all of them. Check your report for any discrepancies and make sure that you have not missed any payments at all. Your credit report also comes with the list of individuals or business entities that you have requested credit information from. You may also check to see if such names or entities are familiar with you.
Your free credit report would be used in running a credit check to you when applying for a loan or any other forms of credit. Thus, make sure that it is free of discrepancies or erroneous entries. Keep in mind that this report will reflect your credit performance – ensure that you do not stumble anywhere so that your loan application would always be a success.
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Understanding the Importance of an Annual Credit Report
Trevor Mulholland asked:
Getting an annual credit report has been likened to getting an annual physical check-up. Some people may view it as something that can be put off for later. It may have been an annoying inconvenience in the years past, but today’s Internet technology has facilitated the process. It is as important to an individual’s fiscal health as a physical exam is important to his or her physical health. Also, as in a physical exam, getting a credit report can help prevent bad things from happening (financially speaking) and if financial problems already exist, viewing your credit report can prevent things from worsening.
During the past years, an individual would have had to fork over $9 to get a copy of his or her credit report. Today, however, consumers are entitled to get a free copy of their annual credit report, thanks to a law passed by the United States Congress in 2003: the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA). Under this law, American citizens can avail of a copy of their credit report every twelve months, gratis. All they have to do is log on to Annual Credit Report, a web site made possible through the cooperation of the top three U.S. credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. It is also possible to request individual credit reports from these three agencies.
However, keep in mind that the content of credit reports from these agencies may differ. For instance, a person’s TransUnion and Equifax credit report may contain information about court accounts and late payments, while his or her Experian report may reveal other information. All these pieces of information are vital to a person’s fiscal health. Why is this so? Many people might not realize it, but there are entities that use their credit report for reasons that affect their everyday lives.
For instance, if you are applying for a mortgage, or if you want to re-mortgage your property, you can be assured that your credit report is one of the things that your potential creditor will consider. This information is also pertinent when it comes to things such as your automobile insurance, home insurance, and loans. It all boils down to a concept called creditworthiness. Are you credit-worthy enough for financial institutions to lend you money or underwrite your potential debt? Your credit report is one of the main factors in helping financial institutions decide this, so it is worth your time and effort to make sure that your credit report is in order; or if it is not, to take the necessary steps towards credit repair.
Because even if you are certain of all your financial dealings, you might be surprised to find inaccurate information in your annual credit report. Although such occurrences are not that frequent, they can happen nevertheless. Sometimes payments you have made or debts you have cancelled may not be reflected in your credit report, and this will negatively affect loans or other financial dealings for which you are applying. Did you know that interests on your car loan or mortgage can be affected by negative information in your credit statistics? This is one major reason why you should have the most updated copy of your credit report – any such inaccuracies will be noticed and you can take the necessary steps to correct these mistakes as early as possible.
Your credit report is another exceptional indicator of whether you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Think about it: you may have given personal information such as your Social Security number to an e-mail asking for that information or to a web site requiring that you give that sort of data first before being allowed to proceed with the site’s other services. The fact is, an unauthorized person who has your Social Security number and other personal information can get loans or credit cards under your name. Fraudsters who do this usually go on a spending spree, racking up debts with you as the debtor. Meanwhile, you go about on your daily business, innocent of the fact that your credit reputation is being ruined (for, because you don’t know about your alleged “debts,” you don’t take steps to pay them).
Then the time comes when you need financial services of your own: a mortgage refinancing or the renewal of your car insurance, and it’s only then that you see from your credit report that you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Although such situations are remediable, they can take a lot of time and hard work, not to mention the additional payments needed for credit repair purposes.
Getting an annual credit report, therefore, is essential to helping ensure one’s financial well-being. It can help you fix inaccurate credit data as early as possible to your advantage. And best of all, this credit repair tool is free!
personal credit report
Getting an annual credit report has been likened to getting an annual physical check-up. Some people may view it as something that can be put off for later. It may have been an annoying inconvenience in the years past, but today’s Internet technology has facilitated the process. It is as important to an individual’s fiscal health as a physical exam is important to his or her physical health. Also, as in a physical exam, getting a credit report can help prevent bad things from happening (financially speaking) and if financial problems already exist, viewing your credit report can prevent things from worsening.
During the past years, an individual would have had to fork over $9 to get a copy of his or her credit report. Today, however, consumers are entitled to get a free copy of their annual credit report, thanks to a law passed by the United States Congress in 2003: the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA). Under this law, American citizens can avail of a copy of their credit report every twelve months, gratis. All they have to do is log on to Annual Credit Report, a web site made possible through the cooperation of the top three U.S. credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. It is also possible to request individual credit reports from these three agencies.
However, keep in mind that the content of credit reports from these agencies may differ. For instance, a person’s TransUnion and Equifax credit report may contain information about court accounts and late payments, while his or her Experian report may reveal other information. All these pieces of information are vital to a person’s fiscal health. Why is this so? Many people might not realize it, but there are entities that use their credit report for reasons that affect their everyday lives.
For instance, if you are applying for a mortgage, or if you want to re-mortgage your property, you can be assured that your credit report is one of the things that your potential creditor will consider. This information is also pertinent when it comes to things such as your automobile insurance, home insurance, and loans. It all boils down to a concept called creditworthiness. Are you credit-worthy enough for financial institutions to lend you money or underwrite your potential debt? Your credit report is one of the main factors in helping financial institutions decide this, so it is worth your time and effort to make sure that your credit report is in order; or if it is not, to take the necessary steps towards credit repair.
Because even if you are certain of all your financial dealings, you might be surprised to find inaccurate information in your annual credit report. Although such occurrences are not that frequent, they can happen nevertheless. Sometimes payments you have made or debts you have cancelled may not be reflected in your credit report, and this will negatively affect loans or other financial dealings for which you are applying. Did you know that interests on your car loan or mortgage can be affected by negative information in your credit statistics? This is one major reason why you should have the most updated copy of your credit report – any such inaccuracies will be noticed and you can take the necessary steps to correct these mistakes as early as possible.
Your credit report is another exceptional indicator of whether you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Think about it: you may have given personal information such as your Social Security number to an e-mail asking for that information or to a web site requiring that you give that sort of data first before being allowed to proceed with the site’s other services. The fact is, an unauthorized person who has your Social Security number and other personal information can get loans or credit cards under your name. Fraudsters who do this usually go on a spending spree, racking up debts with you as the debtor. Meanwhile, you go about on your daily business, innocent of the fact that your credit reputation is being ruined (for, because you don’t know about your alleged “debts,” you don’t take steps to pay them).
Then the time comes when you need financial services of your own: a mortgage refinancing or the renewal of your car insurance, and it’s only then that you see from your credit report that you’ve been a victim of identity theft. Although such situations are remediable, they can take a lot of time and hard work, not to mention the additional payments needed for credit repair purposes.
Getting an annual credit report, therefore, is essential to helping ensure one’s financial well-being. It can help you fix inaccurate credit data as early as possible to your advantage. And best of all, this credit repair tool is free!
personal credit report
How To Get Rid Of Bad Information On Your Credit Report By Writing Letters
Helen Hecker asked:
Assuming you already have a copy of your annual credit report you may have already found some errors that should be removed. Errors should always be a big concern because they can and probably have affected your credit score, also called a FICO. You can repair your credit with a little bit of help.
It may seem like a lot of work but it’s really easy. The hardest part is actually sitting down to do it. You’ll need to check all three credit bureaus to make sure the same error isn’t on all three but if you just have one credit report, start with that one.
First make a list of any and all errors that you find on your personal credit report. These could be in the form of personal information such as birth date or more likely there will be information that you know not to be true such as late payments or no payments recorded etc. If you think there is any possibility that you could be wrong check your past history with the creditor in question first.
You want to make sure you are right before you make the request to have any information removed from your credit report.
You will be sending the letter only to the credit bureau mentioned on the report, which would be Esperian, Equifax or TransUnion. You don’t want to sound angry in the letter, just be matter-of-fact, straightforward and business-like. Just outline the facts – name of creditor, dates, and the error(s) or problem(s) you’re finding on the credit report.
Here is a sample letter:
Date:
To whom it may concern at Esperian (or other credit bureau):
I recently acquired a copy of my credit report and found some errors that I’d like to dispute. I am enclosing documentation to prove the information is incorrect and would like a correction. I value my good standing and good credit history and want to maintain a good credit rating and credit score.
Name the creditor along with the reference date including the month, day and year if possible.
The error(s) I have found are:
I’m including copies of my payment record, with a (cancelled check or online payment print-outs or any other documentation that you have).
I would appreciate any attention to the matter as I would like my credit report to be accurate. I’m sure you understand that credit bureaus need to include only information that is accurate in my file.
Thank you for taking a look at my letter and file and hopefully making the necessary corrections so I can continue to maintain my good credit standing. Please let me know that my file has been reviewed and what action has been taken. I would also like a copy of my corrected credit report sent to the enclosed address. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Besides your full name as shown on the report, include you mailing address, a copy of the report that you have, your social security number, driver’s license photocopy and any other documentation such as a cancelled check or online payment confirmations.
Make a copy of the letter for yourself and a copy of any enclosures with the letter. Send the dispute letter by certified mail with a ‘return receipt’ requested. Then make sure to get the free credit reports from the other two main credit bureaus or reporting agencies to make sure they don’t have the same incorrect information. You can get free instant credit reports from the other two online.
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Assuming you already have a copy of your annual credit report you may have already found some errors that should be removed. Errors should always be a big concern because they can and probably have affected your credit score, also called a FICO. You can repair your credit with a little bit of help.
It may seem like a lot of work but it’s really easy. The hardest part is actually sitting down to do it. You’ll need to check all three credit bureaus to make sure the same error isn’t on all three but if you just have one credit report, start with that one.
First make a list of any and all errors that you find on your personal credit report. These could be in the form of personal information such as birth date or more likely there will be information that you know not to be true such as late payments or no payments recorded etc. If you think there is any possibility that you could be wrong check your past history with the creditor in question first.
You want to make sure you are right before you make the request to have any information removed from your credit report.
You will be sending the letter only to the credit bureau mentioned on the report, which would be Esperian, Equifax or TransUnion. You don’t want to sound angry in the letter, just be matter-of-fact, straightforward and business-like. Just outline the facts – name of creditor, dates, and the error(s) or problem(s) you’re finding on the credit report.
Here is a sample letter:
Date:
To whom it may concern at Esperian (or other credit bureau):
I recently acquired a copy of my credit report and found some errors that I’d like to dispute. I am enclosing documentation to prove the information is incorrect and would like a correction. I value my good standing and good credit history and want to maintain a good credit rating and credit score.
Name the creditor along with the reference date including the month, day and year if possible.
The error(s) I have found are:
I’m including copies of my payment record, with a (cancelled check or online payment print-outs or any other documentation that you have).
I would appreciate any attention to the matter as I would like my credit report to be accurate. I’m sure you understand that credit bureaus need to include only information that is accurate in my file.
Thank you for taking a look at my letter and file and hopefully making the necessary corrections so I can continue to maintain my good credit standing. Please let me know that my file has been reviewed and what action has been taken. I would also like a copy of my corrected credit report sent to the enclosed address. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Besides your full name as shown on the report, include you mailing address, a copy of the report that you have, your social security number, driver’s license photocopy and any other documentation such as a cancelled check or online payment confirmations.
Make a copy of the letter for yourself and a copy of any enclosures with the letter. Send the dispute letter by certified mail with a ‘return receipt’ requested. Then make sure to get the free credit reports from the other two main credit bureaus or reporting agencies to make sure they don’t have the same incorrect information. You can get free instant credit reports from the other two online.
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Wiped off credit report in 7 years?
Phat Kidd asked:
OK, so I had a car repossessed about 6 or 6 1/2 years ago. It is about a $7,500 debt and has been sent to more than one collection agency and they’ve offered me a 50% settlement. I haven’t made contact with anyone in probably 6 years.
OK, so I had a car repossessed about 6 or 6 1/2 years ago. It is about a $7,500 debt and has been sent to more than one collection agency and they’ve offered me a 50% settlement. I haven’t made contact with anyone in probably 6 years.
My question is, is should I pay this money because I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life that includes rebuilding my credit or should I just wait for this to be erased off my credit(which will be when)? As for doing the right thing and paying a debt, I was scammed by this company so me paying the money has nothing to do with them and everything to do with my personal credit intentions.
Also, I don’t plan on buying any big purchases, i.e. house or car, in the next two years at least and don’t need credit cards, so is waiting the best options?
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