Posts Tagged Bankruptcies
Check Personal Credit Report From All 3 Bureaus For Free Periodically
Bob Halton asked:
One of the great things about the financial system is that you can always get direct access to your financial standing at anytime. What that means is that you can obtain a personal credit report for free from all the 3 major credit bureaus at anytime. Within those credit reports, there is a list of all your loan accounts and all open card accounts. Now, usually it will also state balances on your loans, last payments you have made, low and high balances, your credit limits, and the account status of your loans (defaulted, open, etc.). Also, on the last page there is listing of any bankruptcies, accounts in collection, bank liens/loans and other law/court related matters. Keep in mind that these are all negative things about your personal credit report.
There are frequent transactions occurring in a consumer’s daily life. Things such as missed payments, unknown transactions on your account, late payment fees and so on. All these developments cause a change in your credit report on a weekly basis sometimes. All the 3 credit bureaus receive tons of information into their databases about millions of transactions occurring on consumers accounts on a daily basis.
Now you need to check all the 3 personal credit reports from all credit bureaus. This way you can keep a close check on your credit score or rating and also avoid identity theft. This can help all consumers against identity theft because if a thief has opened a new loan account using your information, you can catch it right away. Some victims fall prey very easily and the credit score gets hurt. The thieves open all kinds of accounts and the victim is clueless and only finds out when they go to apply for another loan or get a notice of collection.
If you ever trickle into a problem like this or many other credit related issues, you need to back yourself up with a good credit reporting service. You see, by checking your credit reports consistently, it will help you spot the issues that may arise but dealing with them is a hassle. You need a credit reporting service that can spot and resolve the issues automatically. This will help you improve your financial score and your credit rating.
A good credit score is essential for future credit loans at good interest rates. Not only that, now your credit score is considered the number 1 factor in judging your trustworthiness when it comes to employment opportunities, rental properties, cell phone contracts and etc. So it’s vital to keep a healthy score nowadays. It’s not enough to just run the annual credit report, rather you should check it often and have a credit reporting service look after it.
You as a consumer by utilizing the free option can get a first glance at your financial history before making a constant effort to check the financial information in a more habitual manner. The economy as it is, banks and many other credit institutions are very hesitant to increase or approve credit lines to consumers. In fact, sometimes they may decrease your limit because of your bad credit rating.
Before you take the step to apply for a car loan, mortgage or a bank loan you, as the consumer should view the free credit report and determine your financial standing. The reason being, every time the external financial institution will run your report it will cost you points on your credit score. By you can checking your own credit report, you can determine if any item needs to be resolved and if so, you can delay applying for the loan until the matters have been put to rest. Keep in mind, the more you are denied loans; the more your financial standing will be negatively effected. You and consumers alike should visit the online websites that offer free 3 in 1 personal credit reports because they can provide all the information listed above at no cost.
Chad
One of the great things about the financial system is that you can always get direct access to your financial standing at anytime. What that means is that you can obtain a personal credit report for free from all the 3 major credit bureaus at anytime. Within those credit reports, there is a list of all your loan accounts and all open card accounts. Now, usually it will also state balances on your loans, last payments you have made, low and high balances, your credit limits, and the account status of your loans (defaulted, open, etc.). Also, on the last page there is listing of any bankruptcies, accounts in collection, bank liens/loans and other law/court related matters. Keep in mind that these are all negative things about your personal credit report.
There are frequent transactions occurring in a consumer’s daily life. Things such as missed payments, unknown transactions on your account, late payment fees and so on. All these developments cause a change in your credit report on a weekly basis sometimes. All the 3 credit bureaus receive tons of information into their databases about millions of transactions occurring on consumers accounts on a daily basis.
Now you need to check all the 3 personal credit reports from all credit bureaus. This way you can keep a close check on your credit score or rating and also avoid identity theft. This can help all consumers against identity theft because if a thief has opened a new loan account using your information, you can catch it right away. Some victims fall prey very easily and the credit score gets hurt. The thieves open all kinds of accounts and the victim is clueless and only finds out when they go to apply for another loan or get a notice of collection.
If you ever trickle into a problem like this or many other credit related issues, you need to back yourself up with a good credit reporting service. You see, by checking your credit reports consistently, it will help you spot the issues that may arise but dealing with them is a hassle. You need a credit reporting service that can spot and resolve the issues automatically. This will help you improve your financial score and your credit rating.
A good credit score is essential for future credit loans at good interest rates. Not only that, now your credit score is considered the number 1 factor in judging your trustworthiness when it comes to employment opportunities, rental properties, cell phone contracts and etc. So it’s vital to keep a healthy score nowadays. It’s not enough to just run the annual credit report, rather you should check it often and have a credit reporting service look after it.
You as a consumer by utilizing the free option can get a first glance at your financial history before making a constant effort to check the financial information in a more habitual manner. The economy as it is, banks and many other credit institutions are very hesitant to increase or approve credit lines to consumers. In fact, sometimes they may decrease your limit because of your bad credit rating.
Before you take the step to apply for a car loan, mortgage or a bank loan you, as the consumer should view the free credit report and determine your financial standing. The reason being, every time the external financial institution will run your report it will cost you points on your credit score. By you can checking your own credit report, you can determine if any item needs to be resolved and if so, you can delay applying for the loan until the matters have been put to rest. Keep in mind, the more you are denied loans; the more your financial standing will be negatively effected. You and consumers alike should visit the online websites that offer free 3 in 1 personal credit reports because they can provide all the information listed above at no cost.
Chad
Personal Credit Report For Free – From All 3 Bureaus
Hector Milla asked:
A great service, that consumers have access to is one that allows them to get a personal free credit report from all three in one bureaus. This is a listing of all open card and loan accounts that a consumer has. One typically states balances, last payment amount, high balance, low balance, amount of money issued, and if the account is open, delinquent, or in good standing. Other items such as bankruptcies, bank liens and loans, collection accounts, and other court related issues are listed on the last page which is usually negative items only.
If you want to repair your finances you need to check your three credit reports every month. This helps consumers protect themselves against identity theft. Many identity thieves open fraudulent accounts in victims’ names. Victims do not know that this is going on because the bills are not being paid and the accounts are delinquent which impacts negatively their finance.
If consumers want to improve their overall financial score, they need a credit reporting service to give access to their information. A good score is a necessity to secure loans at a good interest rate. The annual credit report is not enough, you need to check the report more often to keep apprised on any new developments. The information on consumer accounts is updated constantly because consumers make and miss payments often and the overall balances are constantly being updated because they all have differing due date. The three credit reporting agencies are always getting information on consumers, so the reports are updated in many cases weekly.
By using the free option, consumers can get a first impression of how their financial history is before committing to check the information on a more regular basis. Because the economy is so bad, banks and other financial institutions are more hesitant to extend lines of credit to consumers.
Before applying for a bank loan, car loan, or credit card, consumers should view the free report and see how things stand. If there are items that need to be resolved, then consumers can delay applying for these items until they are financially better. The more a person is denied for things, the less likely other companies are to issue credit to them. Consumers should take the first step and visit the online websites that offer free three in one credit reports because they are very beneficial and cost nothing to get them.
Allen
A great service, that consumers have access to is one that allows them to get a personal free credit report from all three in one bureaus. This is a listing of all open card and loan accounts that a consumer has. One typically states balances, last payment amount, high balance, low balance, amount of money issued, and if the account is open, delinquent, or in good standing. Other items such as bankruptcies, bank liens and loans, collection accounts, and other court related issues are listed on the last page which is usually negative items only.
If you want to repair your finances you need to check your three credit reports every month. This helps consumers protect themselves against identity theft. Many identity thieves open fraudulent accounts in victims’ names. Victims do not know that this is going on because the bills are not being paid and the accounts are delinquent which impacts negatively their finance.
If consumers want to improve their overall financial score, they need a credit reporting service to give access to their information. A good score is a necessity to secure loans at a good interest rate. The annual credit report is not enough, you need to check the report more often to keep apprised on any new developments. The information on consumer accounts is updated constantly because consumers make and miss payments often and the overall balances are constantly being updated because they all have differing due date. The three credit reporting agencies are always getting information on consumers, so the reports are updated in many cases weekly.
By using the free option, consumers can get a first impression of how their financial history is before committing to check the information on a more regular basis. Because the economy is so bad, banks and other financial institutions are more hesitant to extend lines of credit to consumers.
Before applying for a bank loan, car loan, or credit card, consumers should view the free report and see how things stand. If there are items that need to be resolved, then consumers can delay applying for these items until they are financially better. The more a person is denied for things, the less likely other companies are to issue credit to them. Consumers should take the first step and visit the online websites that offer free three in one credit reports because they are very beneficial and cost nothing to get them.
Allen
Deleting Bad Credit Items on Your Credit Report
Bob Pering asked:
Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit. It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports.
The first step is to review your reports so you know where the problems are. Start by getting copies of your reports from the three major credit bureaus. The three bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.
If you have not taken advantage of your free annual credit report this year, contact Annual Credit Report or phone 1-877-322-8228. You can also mail your request to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
If you have already received your free reports for this year, contact the three bureaus individually for your reports. You will be required to pay a small fee for each report.
Experian PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374
Equifax PO Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013
Transunion PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022
The next step is to review them carefully, looking for errors, omissions, and inaccurate items. Make note of all you find. First check the spelling of your name and verify that the addresses they show you’ve lived at are correct.
Then look for items that are incorrect or inaccurate. Pay particular attention to: derogatory items still showing even though they should have dropped off your report by now (most derogatory items can only be reported for seven years, bankruptcies for ten years). Also look for accounts that do not belong to you and accounts that show a balance due even though they have been paid off.
Deleting any bad credit items you discover is done by sending a letter to the credit bureau disputing any incorrect or inaccurate items you find. The credit bureau then forwards your dispute to the creditor that reported the item, and asks them to verify the legitimacy of the reported item.
If the creditor responds that the report is accurate, then the item stays on your report and is not removed. However, if the creditor does not respond to the dispute within 30 days of receipt, the item, by law, must be removed from the report.
It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports. Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit.
Martha
Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit. It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports.
The first step is to review your reports so you know where the problems are. Start by getting copies of your reports from the three major credit bureaus. The three bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.
If you have not taken advantage of your free annual credit report this year, contact Annual Credit Report or phone 1-877-322-8228. You can also mail your request to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
If you have already received your free reports for this year, contact the three bureaus individually for your reports. You will be required to pay a small fee for each report.
Experian PO Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374
Equifax PO Box 2002 Allen, TX 75013
Transunion PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022
The next step is to review them carefully, looking for errors, omissions, and inaccurate items. Make note of all you find. First check the spelling of your name and verify that the addresses they show you’ve lived at are correct.
Then look for items that are incorrect or inaccurate. Pay particular attention to: derogatory items still showing even though they should have dropped off your report by now (most derogatory items can only be reported for seven years, bankruptcies for ten years). Also look for accounts that do not belong to you and accounts that show a balance due even though they have been paid off.
Deleting any bad credit items you discover is done by sending a letter to the credit bureau disputing any incorrect or inaccurate items you find. The credit bureau then forwards your dispute to the creditor that reported the item, and asks them to verify the legitimacy of the reported item.
If the creditor responds that the report is accurate, then the item stays on your report and is not removed. However, if the creditor does not respond to the dispute within 30 days of receipt, the item, by law, must be removed from the report.
It is possible to improve your credit scores anywhere from 100 to 200 points or more, by removing derogatory information from your credit reports. Deleting bad credit items on your credit report is definitely a worthwhile pursuit.
Martha
Small Business Credit Reports and Scores
Adam Tijerina asked:
You know you have personal credit reports and credit scores, but were you aware that if you run a business, you also have a business credit report and score? If you run a small business, find out why it is important to access your own reports and those of your customers, vendors and suppliers and how that information can affect whether or not you get access to an increased credit line or more stringent credit terms for your company.
Your small business credit report and score can indicate to a potential customer, vendor or supplier your credit worthiness and can have factor in the what kind of credit terms you get or if you get any financing at all. They will see how many accounts you have opened, how many of those accounts are past due, the average amount you owe, and whether you have ever been past due on any of your accounts.
You can also get access to public records such as bankruptcies, judgments, liens, alternate company names and other DBAs all on a small business credit report.
All this information is then compiled and given a credit risk score by Equifax which can indicate how likely a company will fall behind over 90 days on their bills or result in a charge off over the next year. Wouldn’t this information be useful in deciding on who to do business with?
Equifax also provides a business failure score which can predict how likely a big business will fail and have to file bankruptcy over the next year.
There are no free business credit reports as their are with personal credit reports. You can chalk up the cost of this information as a cost of doing business which can save you thousands of dollars by going with a responsible vendor or supplier or new customer who will not default on their payments.
Buying small business credit reports and scores can help you make smart decisions about who you decide to do business with and can prevent you from working with an unreliable customer, vendor, or supplier who has a lousy payment history and keep your cash flow low.
Allison
You know you have personal credit reports and credit scores, but were you aware that if you run a business, you also have a business credit report and score? If you run a small business, find out why it is important to access your own reports and those of your customers, vendors and suppliers and how that information can affect whether or not you get access to an increased credit line or more stringent credit terms for your company.
Your small business credit report and score can indicate to a potential customer, vendor or supplier your credit worthiness and can have factor in the what kind of credit terms you get or if you get any financing at all. They will see how many accounts you have opened, how many of those accounts are past due, the average amount you owe, and whether you have ever been past due on any of your accounts.
You can also get access to public records such as bankruptcies, judgments, liens, alternate company names and other DBAs all on a small business credit report.
All this information is then compiled and given a credit risk score by Equifax which can indicate how likely a company will fall behind over 90 days on their bills or result in a charge off over the next year. Wouldn’t this information be useful in deciding on who to do business with?
Equifax also provides a business failure score which can predict how likely a big business will fail and have to file bankruptcy over the next year.
There are no free business credit reports as their are with personal credit reports. You can chalk up the cost of this information as a cost of doing business which can save you thousands of dollars by going with a responsible vendor or supplier or new customer who will not default on their payments.
Buying small business credit reports and scores can help you make smart decisions about who you decide to do business with and can prevent you from working with an unreliable customer, vendor, or supplier who has a lousy payment history and keep your cash flow low.
Allison
Ftc Credit Report Repair Facts – for Consumers
Mike Clover asked:
The FTC claims that Credit Report Repair may be better for you if you do it yourself. You have seen advertisements on TV, local newspapers, internet. All of these credit report repair companies claim the following:
* "Credit Problem? No Problem!"
* " We can get rid of bad credit problems – 100% guaranteed"
* "We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, bad loans and tax liens from your credit file forever
The FTC says "Don’t believe these statements. The only thing that will fix your credit is time, conscious effort, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit report.
This article will explain how you can improve your creditworthiness and gives legitimate resources for low or no cost help.
The Scam
All over the US companies appeal to families and individuals that have bad credit problems. They promise for a fee, to clean up your credit report so you can get a car loan, a home mortgage, a job or even a insurance. The fact is, they cannot deliver. After you pay them hundred of dollars or even thousands of dollars in fees, these companies do absolutely nothing to improve your credit report. They typically vanish with your money says the FTC.
Warning Signs
If you feel credit repair with one of these companies is your choice, look out for the following.
* Companies that want you to pay before services are rendered
* Companies that don’t tell you your legal rights and what you cannot do yourself for free
* Companies that recommend that you don’t contact the credit reporting companies
* Companies that recommend you create a new identity by way of Identification Number.
* Companies that advise you to dispute all information in your credit report
Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies cannot require you to pay until they have completed services they claim they can provide. The FTC says to get what they claim they can do in written, and once it is done then pay them.
The FACTS
No one can legally remove accurate information from you credit report. If you owe the debt, it will be on there for 7 years from original collection date. The law allows you the consumer to dispute inaccurate information on your report for FREE. There is no cost to you for doing this. Everything a credit repair company does for a fee, you can do it yourself for FREE. This is all in accordance to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
v You are entitled to Free Credit Report if you are denied for the following
1. Credit Application
2. Insurance
3. Employment
You are to ask for this report within 60 days of receiving this notification. You are also entitled to the free report if you are unemployed and are about to apply for job, if you are on welfare, or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud including identity theft.
v All 3 Credit Bureaus – Equifax, Trans Union and Experian are required to provide you once a year with a Free Credit Report. In order to get this report you must go to annualcreditreport.com.
v You are allowed to dispute items that are not yours for free. Under the FCRA any company that is reporting information about you that is inaccurate, this information must be updated correctly. If you owe the debt it will not be removed.
Step One
The consumer credit reporting company that is reporting information incorrectly about you must be informed in writing what information is inaccurate. You are to include a copy of documents backing your claim. You are to clearly identify in the claim the following
1. Your full name
2. Address
3. The item in the report that you are disputing
4. The request that it should be removed or corrected
5. Enclose a copy of the report and circle the item in question.
Your credit report dispute letter may look something like this:
Date
You’re Name
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip
Re: Disputing Inaccuracies on My Credit Report
Name of Credit Reporting Bureau
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing for two (2) reasons:
1. To dispute certain information in my credit file; and
2. To have you investigate/re-investigate and remove inaccurate information from
my Credit Report and prevent its re-insertion. The item(s) I dispute are encircled
on the attached copy of the credit report and further identified by (identify the
items by name of source, such as creditor or tax court, etc. and identify type of
item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.)This item is (inaccurate or
incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am
requesting that the item be deleted (or whatever specific change you are
requesting) to correct the information.(If you are enclosing documents such as
copies of cancelled checks, payment records, court documents, send copies
only, you should always retain the originals — and use the following sentence.)
Enclosed are copies of the following documents supporting my position:
1.
2.
3.
Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed
items within the time frame required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and
inform me in writing of the outcome. Thank you for your time and consideration in
this matter.
Sincerely,
________________________
(Signature)
Your name
Once the investigation is complete, whether they removed the item or not, the creditor must give you something in writing. If the information was deemed incorrect, then they must remove it, and not put it back on your report.
Step Two
Advise the creditor or other information provider, in writing, that you dispute an item. Be sure to include copies only, not your original supporting your claim. The creditors usually provide an address for disputes. If the creditor reports the items to the 3 credit bureaus, they must include the dispute during the reporting time. If you are correct, the creditor must remove the item from the Bureaus it’s reporting too.
For information on "How to Dispute Credit Report Errors, go to ftc.gov/credit.
The reporting of correct information
When negative information is being reported about you, and it’s accurate the only way it will go away is with time. A consumer credit reporting company can report negative information about you for 7 years and bankruptcies for 10 years. Judgments can be reported for 7 years or until the statue of limitations run out.
Credit Repair Organization Act
By law credit repair companies must give you a copy of the "Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law" before you sign any contract. They must also give you a written contract that specifies your rights and obligations. Read these documents carefully before you sign anything.
Example of what a credit report company cannot do:
v Charge you for anything until services have been completed
v Make false claims about there services
v Provide any services until they have your signature on a written contract and have completed a 3 day waiting period. During this time you may cancel the contract without any fees occurred.
v Payment terms for services rendered, along with total cost
v Detailed description of services you are paying for
v How long it will take to achieve results
v Any guarantees they offer
v Company address and name
Check your Credit Report at least 4 to 5 times a year.
Even if you don’t have poor credit, you need to know what’s on your credit report. Here are some good reasons per the FTC.
v Because the information it contains may affect whether you get a loan and the payment terms for that loan
v Make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up to date before you apply for a mortgage, credit card, car, insurance or even a job.
v To help guard against identity theft
Hopefully this has shed some light on credit repair, and the importance of have a recent copy of your free credit report.
DALLAS
The FTC claims that Credit Report Repair may be better for you if you do it yourself. You have seen advertisements on TV, local newspapers, internet. All of these credit report repair companies claim the following:
* "Credit Problem? No Problem!"
* " We can get rid of bad credit problems – 100% guaranteed"
* "We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, bad loans and tax liens from your credit file forever
The FTC says "Don’t believe these statements. The only thing that will fix your credit is time, conscious effort, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit report.
This article will explain how you can improve your creditworthiness and gives legitimate resources for low or no cost help.
The Scam
All over the US companies appeal to families and individuals that have bad credit problems. They promise for a fee, to clean up your credit report so you can get a car loan, a home mortgage, a job or even a insurance. The fact is, they cannot deliver. After you pay them hundred of dollars or even thousands of dollars in fees, these companies do absolutely nothing to improve your credit report. They typically vanish with your money says the FTC.
Warning Signs
If you feel credit repair with one of these companies is your choice, look out for the following.
* Companies that want you to pay before services are rendered
* Companies that don’t tell you your legal rights and what you cannot do yourself for free
* Companies that recommend that you don’t contact the credit reporting companies
* Companies that recommend you create a new identity by way of Identification Number.
* Companies that advise you to dispute all information in your credit report
Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies cannot require you to pay until they have completed services they claim they can provide. The FTC says to get what they claim they can do in written, and once it is done then pay them.
The FACTS
No one can legally remove accurate information from you credit report. If you owe the debt, it will be on there for 7 years from original collection date. The law allows you the consumer to dispute inaccurate information on your report for FREE. There is no cost to you for doing this. Everything a credit repair company does for a fee, you can do it yourself for FREE. This is all in accordance to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
v You are entitled to Free Credit Report if you are denied for the following
1. Credit Application
2. Insurance
3. Employment
You are to ask for this report within 60 days of receiving this notification. You are also entitled to the free report if you are unemployed and are about to apply for job, if you are on welfare, or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud including identity theft.
v All 3 Credit Bureaus – Equifax, Trans Union and Experian are required to provide you once a year with a Free Credit Report. In order to get this report you must go to annualcreditreport.com.
v You are allowed to dispute items that are not yours for free. Under the FCRA any company that is reporting information about you that is inaccurate, this information must be updated correctly. If you owe the debt it will not be removed.
Step One
The consumer credit reporting company that is reporting information incorrectly about you must be informed in writing what information is inaccurate. You are to include a copy of documents backing your claim. You are to clearly identify in the claim the following
1. Your full name
2. Address
3. The item in the report that you are disputing
4. The request that it should be removed or corrected
5. Enclose a copy of the report and circle the item in question.
Your credit report dispute letter may look something like this:
Date
You’re Name
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip
Re: Disputing Inaccuracies on My Credit Report
Name of Credit Reporting Bureau
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing for two (2) reasons:
1. To dispute certain information in my credit file; and
2. To have you investigate/re-investigate and remove inaccurate information from
my Credit Report and prevent its re-insertion. The item(s) I dispute are encircled
on the attached copy of the credit report and further identified by (identify the
items by name of source, such as creditor or tax court, etc. and identify type of
item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.)This item is (inaccurate or
incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am
requesting that the item be deleted (or whatever specific change you are
requesting) to correct the information.(If you are enclosing documents such as
copies of cancelled checks, payment records, court documents, send copies
only, you should always retain the originals — and use the following sentence.)
Enclosed are copies of the following documents supporting my position:
1.
2.
3.
Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed
items within the time frame required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and
inform me in writing of the outcome. Thank you for your time and consideration in
this matter.
Sincerely,
________________________
(Signature)
Your name
Once the investigation is complete, whether they removed the item or not, the creditor must give you something in writing. If the information was deemed incorrect, then they must remove it, and not put it back on your report.
Step Two
Advise the creditor or other information provider, in writing, that you dispute an item. Be sure to include copies only, not your original supporting your claim. The creditors usually provide an address for disputes. If the creditor reports the items to the 3 credit bureaus, they must include the dispute during the reporting time. If you are correct, the creditor must remove the item from the Bureaus it’s reporting too.
For information on "How to Dispute Credit Report Errors, go to ftc.gov/credit.
The reporting of correct information
When negative information is being reported about you, and it’s accurate the only way it will go away is with time. A consumer credit reporting company can report negative information about you for 7 years and bankruptcies for 10 years. Judgments can be reported for 7 years or until the statue of limitations run out.
Credit Repair Organization Act
By law credit repair companies must give you a copy of the "Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law" before you sign any contract. They must also give you a written contract that specifies your rights and obligations. Read these documents carefully before you sign anything.
Example of what a credit report company cannot do:
v Charge you for anything until services have been completed
v Make false claims about there services
v Provide any services until they have your signature on a written contract and have completed a 3 day waiting period. During this time you may cancel the contract without any fees occurred.
v Payment terms for services rendered, along with total cost
v Detailed description of services you are paying for
v How long it will take to achieve results
v Any guarantees they offer
v Company address and name
Check your Credit Report at least 4 to 5 times a year.
Even if you don’t have poor credit, you need to know what’s on your credit report. Here are some good reasons per the FTC.
v Because the information it contains may affect whether you get a loan and the payment terms for that loan
v Make sure the information is accurate, complete, and up to date before you apply for a mortgage, credit card, car, insurance or even a job.
v To help guard against identity theft
Hopefully this has shed some light on credit repair, and the importance of have a recent copy of your free credit report.
DALLAS
What is Your Credit Report Made Of?
Allison May asked:
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We often hear that a person’s credit report is very important because lenders, employers and even landowners check this document to measure one’s credibility and financial capability. But what really is inside your credit report? Do you really understand how it works? Let’s take a closer look on what your credit report is made of:
Inside Your Credit Report
Credit reporting agencies collect information from your creditors, debt collection agencies or from the court and compile all these information in one report. Everything listed here are considered to be accurate unless the owner of the credit report files a dispute about certain details in his report. However, if the information is correct –whether positive or derogatory – it will stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
Information that is contained in a credit report include a person’s full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, past and present home addresses, phone numbers, Driver’s license number, employment history and other personal details. If you do find any error, you must notify the credit reporting bureaus immediately and request that these details be corrected.
Liens, wages, foreclosures, bankruptcies and other public records are included in a credit report. It also contains a comprehensive summary of a person’s accounts from all his creditors or lenders regardless of what type of debt it is. It presents charges, penalties, date of payments, amount of debt, credit limit and everything that has to do with a person’s credit.
Credit Report and Inquiries
Each time a creditor or a company makes an inquiry about your report is also included. This is why consumers are warned against submitting too many applications from various lenders and banks all at the same time. Too many inquiries in your credit report can damage your score especially if you have been rejected by a lender.
However, personal inquiries are not regarded as negative and will not affect your credit score. In fact, it is recommended to inquire about your personal credit report at least twice a year so that you can be updated with the status of your credit history and score.
The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each of these agency works independently in reporting a person’s credit history. Thus, if you have any dispute about your credit report, see to it that you advise all three of these credit bureaus so that corrections can be made in your report accordingly.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act protects all consumers from fraud and ID theft by ordering all credit bureaus to do the necessary corrections immediately if a person claims a dispute in his credit report.
If you own a business, you can also apply for a separate credit history for your company from two major business credit trackers in the US- Dun and Bradstreet and Experian. The credit score for a business account is known as Paydex and this is the one used by lenders and financial providers in approving business loans.
WILFORD
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We often hear that a person’s credit report is very important because lenders, employers and even landowners check this document to measure one’s credibility and financial capability. But what really is inside your credit report? Do you really understand how it works? Let’s take a closer look on what your credit report is made of:
Inside Your Credit Report
Credit reporting agencies collect information from your creditors, debt collection agencies or from the court and compile all these information in one report. Everything listed here are considered to be accurate unless the owner of the credit report files a dispute about certain details in his report. However, if the information is correct –whether positive or derogatory – it will stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
Information that is contained in a credit report include a person’s full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, past and present home addresses, phone numbers, Driver’s license number, employment history and other personal details. If you do find any error, you must notify the credit reporting bureaus immediately and request that these details be corrected.
Liens, wages, foreclosures, bankruptcies and other public records are included in a credit report. It also contains a comprehensive summary of a person’s accounts from all his creditors or lenders regardless of what type of debt it is. It presents charges, penalties, date of payments, amount of debt, credit limit and everything that has to do with a person’s credit.
Credit Report and Inquiries
Each time a creditor or a company makes an inquiry about your report is also included. This is why consumers are warned against submitting too many applications from various lenders and banks all at the same time. Too many inquiries in your credit report can damage your score especially if you have been rejected by a lender.
However, personal inquiries are not regarded as negative and will not affect your credit score. In fact, it is recommended to inquire about your personal credit report at least twice a year so that you can be updated with the status of your credit history and score.
The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each of these agency works independently in reporting a person’s credit history. Thus, if you have any dispute about your credit report, see to it that you advise all three of these credit bureaus so that corrections can be made in your report accordingly.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act protects all consumers from fraud and ID theft by ordering all credit bureaus to do the necessary corrections immediately if a person claims a dispute in his credit report.
If you own a business, you can also apply for a separate credit history for your company from two major business credit trackers in the US- Dun and Bradstreet and Experian. The credit score for a business account is known as Paydex and this is the one used by lenders and financial providers in approving business loans.
WILFORD