Posts Tagged Consumer Report
The Truth Behind Common Myths About Your Credit Report
Jon Arnold asked:
It is truly amazing to note the number of “facts” that many people think they know about credit reports and how various factors affect your credit score that are just simply untrue. For as much importance that is placed on having as good of a credit report and credit score as possible these days, it is critical for the consumer to understand the truth behind how your credit score is affected by various things. This is especially important in today’s world, as car insurance companies and even many employers are now checking a consumer’s credit report before making a decision about their insurance premiums or making a job offer.
Myth #1: When my fiance and I get married, we will have a joint credit report and the negatives from our individual reports will go away.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Even after you are married, you will still have separate credit reports. Any new credit items added to your report will be the result of opening joint accounts or having your name added to their existing account. Any negative information that was there before will still be there.
Myth #2: As long as my credit cards are not over their credit limit, they will give me a good credit score.
Not completely true. The two worst things you can do to get a bad credit score are to consistently miss or be late with payments, and to go over your credit limit. If you make your payments on time and stay under your credit limit, you will get an “ok” rating on that credit card. But to maximize the number of points you get on your credit card towards your credit score, it is best to keep your outstanding balance at about 20-30% of your credit limit.
Myth #3: When you negotiate a settlement amount with a lender, that account will show up as being fine on your credit report.
Wrong. If you have to negotiate something, that would indicate that you are working on a deal to pay them some amount less than what you actually owe. In that case, it will definitely have a negative effect on your credit score and show up as a negative item.
Myth #4: Closing old accounts will raise your credit score.
Totally inaccurate and in fact, can very potentially have the opposite effect and lower your credit score. Remember, your credit score is a picture of your credit history, and if you close old accounts, your credit history is reduced, thereby potentially lowering your overall score.
Myth #5: The best or only way to raise your credit score is to use one of the companies that specialize in that.
This is the biggest myth and also one of the biggest pieces of hogwash. Some of those companies that claim they can fix your credit can do so to varying degrees, and some cannot do a thing. But the real truth of the matter is that none of those companies can do anything that you cannot do yourself at no charge except for postage stamps. In fact, since you are the consumer who is disputing his or her own credit report, you actually have more clout in this way than those companies do.
Myth #6: Errors on your credit report are rare, and will correct themselves automatically when they occur.
Absolute baloney. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of consumers have errors on their credit report. Compound that with the fact that those errors do NOT correct themselves, ever, unless you point out the error and dispute it.
Your credit score and credit history are used in a wide variety of places and the use of them is increasing every day. It is definitely worth your time and effort to get copies of your credit report and ensure that it is accurate, which is a huge step towards raising your credit score.
Alice
It is truly amazing to note the number of “facts” that many people think they know about credit reports and how various factors affect your credit score that are just simply untrue. For as much importance that is placed on having as good of a credit report and credit score as possible these days, it is critical for the consumer to understand the truth behind how your credit score is affected by various things. This is especially important in today’s world, as car insurance companies and even many employers are now checking a consumer’s credit report before making a decision about their insurance premiums or making a job offer.
Myth #1: When my fiance and I get married, we will have a joint credit report and the negatives from our individual reports will go away.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Even after you are married, you will still have separate credit reports. Any new credit items added to your report will be the result of opening joint accounts or having your name added to their existing account. Any negative information that was there before will still be there.
Myth #2: As long as my credit cards are not over their credit limit, they will give me a good credit score.
Not completely true. The two worst things you can do to get a bad credit score are to consistently miss or be late with payments, and to go over your credit limit. If you make your payments on time and stay under your credit limit, you will get an “ok” rating on that credit card. But to maximize the number of points you get on your credit card towards your credit score, it is best to keep your outstanding balance at about 20-30% of your credit limit.
Myth #3: When you negotiate a settlement amount with a lender, that account will show up as being fine on your credit report.
Wrong. If you have to negotiate something, that would indicate that you are working on a deal to pay them some amount less than what you actually owe. In that case, it will definitely have a negative effect on your credit score and show up as a negative item.
Myth #4: Closing old accounts will raise your credit score.
Totally inaccurate and in fact, can very potentially have the opposite effect and lower your credit score. Remember, your credit score is a picture of your credit history, and if you close old accounts, your credit history is reduced, thereby potentially lowering your overall score.
Myth #5: The best or only way to raise your credit score is to use one of the companies that specialize in that.
This is the biggest myth and also one of the biggest pieces of hogwash. Some of those companies that claim they can fix your credit can do so to varying degrees, and some cannot do a thing. But the real truth of the matter is that none of those companies can do anything that you cannot do yourself at no charge except for postage stamps. In fact, since you are the consumer who is disputing his or her own credit report, you actually have more clout in this way than those companies do.
Myth #6: Errors on your credit report are rare, and will correct themselves automatically when they occur.
Absolute baloney. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of consumers have errors on their credit report. Compound that with the fact that those errors do NOT correct themselves, ever, unless you point out the error and dispute it.
Your credit score and credit history are used in a wide variety of places and the use of them is increasing every day. It is definitely worth your time and effort to get copies of your credit report and ensure that it is accurate, which is a huge step towards raising your credit score.
Alice
Free Instant Credit Report: Know Your
Sophie Wilson asked:
Having knowledge about your credit score is quite essential nowadays. You will have to show it in almost every financial purpose whether it is while seeking a loan, while applying for a credit cards, getting an auto or a home loan or for applying for a job. The necessity of the knowledge of credit records is very immense. In such case, if you know the better ways then you can easily get your free instant credit report.
It is the credit bureau that keeps track of your credit records. All kind of expenses, loans and repayment are being noticed by it. In such case, you will be able to secure the records from it. For availing these records you can go for the online services as it will be the easier and best way. At a single mouse click the reports can be accessed. All such online services are being provided to you for free of cost. Anytime you need to produce your credit report, this process will prove to be quite helpful. Such report will show all your personal information, major financial transactions, credit status, outstanding payments and also credit score.
The need for credit reports is not only being felt for loan purposes. It is essential for you to know because you would have to be careful in maintaining a good record. Having a good record is always helpful and hence, you should keep an eye on it. Moreover, keeping a regular data will save you from suffering any sort of identity thefts.
The free instant credit report that you want to achieve can be of different types such consumer credit report, business credit report or annually credit report. After providing these records only you will be able to get favors of the lender. Any lender for any loan strictly demands for the credit scores nowadays.
Caffeinated Content
Having knowledge about your credit score is quite essential nowadays. You will have to show it in almost every financial purpose whether it is while seeking a loan, while applying for a credit cards, getting an auto or a home loan or for applying for a job. The necessity of the knowledge of credit records is very immense. In such case, if you know the better ways then you can easily get your free instant credit report.
It is the credit bureau that keeps track of your credit records. All kind of expenses, loans and repayment are being noticed by it. In such case, you will be able to secure the records from it. For availing these records you can go for the online services as it will be the easier and best way. At a single mouse click the reports can be accessed. All such online services are being provided to you for free of cost. Anytime you need to produce your credit report, this process will prove to be quite helpful. Such report will show all your personal information, major financial transactions, credit status, outstanding payments and also credit score.
The need for credit reports is not only being felt for loan purposes. It is essential for you to know because you would have to be careful in maintaining a good record. Having a good record is always helpful and hence, you should keep an eye on it. Moreover, keeping a regular data will save you from suffering any sort of identity thefts.
The free instant credit report that you want to achieve can be of different types such consumer credit report, business credit report or annually credit report. After providing these records only you will be able to get favors of the lender. Any lender for any loan strictly demands for the credit scores nowadays.
Caffeinated Content
Why A Lender May Not Accept Your Recent Credit Report
Posted by admin in Non Fiction on November 25, 2008
Terry Parker asked:
Everyone knows that when you shop for a car, house, or anything else you plan on purchasing using credit, the terms and rates will be dependent on your credit rating. Therefore, many consumers will pull a personal credit report to use when shopping around to see what type of deal a merchant, creditor or lender may be able to give them.
Many consumers like to use a personal credit report when shopping for two reasons. One reason is that consumers know that inquiries into their credit history can lower their credit score. So it is very beneficial to keep credit inquiries to a minimum. Also the consumer may have to pay a credit report fee to the lender or creditor when they pull a credit report.
But consumers often wonder why a creditor will not accept a recent credit report especially when it was recently obtained. Consumers will find out that a creditor or lender may use the recent consumer report at first just to give an estimate of what terms and rates may be available but before an actual sale or transaction can occur the creditor or lender will need to pull another report. There are several reasons why another report will be needed.
A creditor or lender must always take action to protect itself and its investors by performing the proper due diligence on each deal and this includes pulling all consumers credit reports directly. With technology today it would be very easy for someone to fabricate a consumer credit report. This could even be as easy as electronically cutting and pasting a name on the credit report of another person. A creditor or lender must take precaution and pull a credit report directly to protect everyone. This adds an extra layer of protection for everyone. Identity theft is on the rise and the FBI has declared it a national epidemic.
Another reason is because the report that a lender or creditor may receive is very different from the consumer report. A basic consumer report is what an individual gets when they order their own credit history. This report can be obtained from a local credit bureau or from one of the big three: Experian, Equifax, or Transunion. The costs for these typically range from $8 to $15. Typical consumer reports contain basic personal information, some employment history, different credit accounts, some credit history and may include a credit score.
A merchant on the other hand will pull a full merchant report that will contain more information than a basic consumer report and will provide it with more detailed breakdowns. The merchant report will also show a complete FICO scoring system rating for the applicant which will include a full detailed credit history breakdown. In essence the lender or creditor has a full merchant scored report which is much more accurate than a regular consumer report. So a personal consumer report may be used to shop around to learn what may be available. But if you are serious about a purchase and want to see exactly what terms and rates you can get be prepared to have a full merchant report pulled. The good news is that you may be able to get a better deal than you thought was possible based on your consumer report.
Website content
Everyone knows that when you shop for a car, house, or anything else you plan on purchasing using credit, the terms and rates will be dependent on your credit rating. Therefore, many consumers will pull a personal credit report to use when shopping around to see what type of deal a merchant, creditor or lender may be able to give them.
Many consumers like to use a personal credit report when shopping for two reasons. One reason is that consumers know that inquiries into their credit history can lower their credit score. So it is very beneficial to keep credit inquiries to a minimum. Also the consumer may have to pay a credit report fee to the lender or creditor when they pull a credit report.
But consumers often wonder why a creditor will not accept a recent credit report especially when it was recently obtained. Consumers will find out that a creditor or lender may use the recent consumer report at first just to give an estimate of what terms and rates may be available but before an actual sale or transaction can occur the creditor or lender will need to pull another report. There are several reasons why another report will be needed.
A creditor or lender must always take action to protect itself and its investors by performing the proper due diligence on each deal and this includes pulling all consumers credit reports directly. With technology today it would be very easy for someone to fabricate a consumer credit report. This could even be as easy as electronically cutting and pasting a name on the credit report of another person. A creditor or lender must take precaution and pull a credit report directly to protect everyone. This adds an extra layer of protection for everyone. Identity theft is on the rise and the FBI has declared it a national epidemic.
Another reason is because the report that a lender or creditor may receive is very different from the consumer report. A basic consumer report is what an individual gets when they order their own credit history. This report can be obtained from a local credit bureau or from one of the big three: Experian, Equifax, or Transunion. The costs for these typically range from $8 to $15. Typical consumer reports contain basic personal information, some employment history, different credit accounts, some credit history and may include a credit score.
A merchant on the other hand will pull a full merchant report that will contain more information than a basic consumer report and will provide it with more detailed breakdowns. The merchant report will also show a complete FICO scoring system rating for the applicant which will include a full detailed credit history breakdown. In essence the lender or creditor has a full merchant scored report which is much more accurate than a regular consumer report. So a personal consumer report may be used to shop around to learn what may be available. But if you are serious about a purchase and want to see exactly what terms and rates you can get be prepared to have a full merchant report pulled. The good news is that you may be able to get a better deal than you thought was possible based on your consumer report.
Website content