Posts Tagged Late Payments
Personal Liability on Business Credit Cards
Richard Gilliland asked:
If the business does not meet these criteria, the business credit card issuers will use the credit history of the principal making the business credit card application as their basis for evaluating credit risk.
Do note that most business credit card issuers will not approve your application for a business credit card unless you agree to the personal liability provision. This essentially makes a business credit card the same as a personal credit card from a personal liability point of view. Hence, whenever your business fails to repay the business credit cards, the issuer may invoke the personal liability agreement in order to collect payment from the business credit card principal.
Because of this personal liability provision on your business credit card application, your personal credit reports will also contain a record of your business credit card history. You will therefore damage your personal credit score if you make late payments on your business credit cards. If your business accumulates a big debt, it will inflate your personal debt burden and cause you to appear overextended.
The personal liability agreement, however, is not always cast in concrete. If you can show that you diligently make your regular payments, you should be able to convince the issuer of business credit cards to remove the provision after a few years. It would really be up to the issuers whether they decide to grant you your request or not. Nonetheless, you could always try to negotiate with them. Whatever the case may be, endeavor to have the business establish its own credit history. This will eventually allow you to separate your small business credit card from your personal credit records.
You must be aware that since business credit cards are not intended to be used by consumers, the consumer protections applicable to personal credit card are not necessarily present in business credit cards. When making use of personal credit cards, the law grants you the right to dispute billing errors on your account within the specified period of time. Within this period, the card issuer cannot mark the disputed amount delinquent or cancel the card. This particular right of the consumer is not applicable to the holders of business credit cards.
When you receive ordered merchandise in poor condition, you cannot dispute the charges and in case the vendor refuses to cooperate, request the business credit card company to intervene on your behalf – as they do in the case of personal credit cards. With business credit cards, you are largely on your own.
So, should you carry a small business credit card rather than a personal credit card? The answer is: Yes. Once your business has established its track record, you can separate personal and business finances. That will work well – both for you and your business.
Marvin
If the business does not meet these criteria, the business credit card issuers will use the credit history of the principal making the business credit card application as their basis for evaluating credit risk.
Do note that most business credit card issuers will not approve your application for a business credit card unless you agree to the personal liability provision. This essentially makes a business credit card the same as a personal credit card from a personal liability point of view. Hence, whenever your business fails to repay the business credit cards, the issuer may invoke the personal liability agreement in order to collect payment from the business credit card principal.
Because of this personal liability provision on your business credit card application, your personal credit reports will also contain a record of your business credit card history. You will therefore damage your personal credit score if you make late payments on your business credit cards. If your business accumulates a big debt, it will inflate your personal debt burden and cause you to appear overextended.
The personal liability agreement, however, is not always cast in concrete. If you can show that you diligently make your regular payments, you should be able to convince the issuer of business credit cards to remove the provision after a few years. It would really be up to the issuers whether they decide to grant you your request or not. Nonetheless, you could always try to negotiate with them. Whatever the case may be, endeavor to have the business establish its own credit history. This will eventually allow you to separate your small business credit card from your personal credit records.
You must be aware that since business credit cards are not intended to be used by consumers, the consumer protections applicable to personal credit card are not necessarily present in business credit cards. When making use of personal credit cards, the law grants you the right to dispute billing errors on your account within the specified period of time. Within this period, the card issuer cannot mark the disputed amount delinquent or cancel the card. This particular right of the consumer is not applicable to the holders of business credit cards.
When you receive ordered merchandise in poor condition, you cannot dispute the charges and in case the vendor refuses to cooperate, request the business credit card company to intervene on your behalf – as they do in the case of personal credit cards. With business credit cards, you are largely on your own.
So, should you carry a small business credit card rather than a personal credit card? The answer is: Yes. Once your business has established its track record, you can separate personal and business finances. That will work well – both for you and your business.
Marvin
Instant Credit Report
Paul Abbey asked:
Today actually getting hold of an instant credit report is much easier to achieve than it was a couple of years ago. As we are all beginning to realize being able to know where we stand in relation to how credit worthiness is extremely important to many of us today. Unfortunately if your credit history is poor or bad actually getting a loan or mortgage is very difficult to achieve.
But by getting hold of a copy of your credit report from any of the three major credit reporting agencies you will be able to see just where you stand when it comes to your credit worthiness. Today not only are there personal credit reports a person can obtain but there are also business credit reports available.
The main feature of any of these types of reports is that they contain data relating to either you or your business which the various credit reporting agencies have collected. It contains information relating to your financial position and will show if you have any problems relating to late payments or debts remaining unpaid.
But when it comes to you getting hold of a copy of your credit report you need to be very careful when you are trying to obtain it. This is because the report will contain very important and personal information about you including details of your name, your address, any contact numbers and your date of birth. Plus it will also contain your social security number all of which can be extremely beneficial to those people who like to use other people personal details to obtain funds and goods fraudulently.
Therefore if you choose to arrange to get hold of your credit report through one of the many online services that offer such a facility you need to make sure that it is a completely secure website. With a site such as Experian they have a padlock which they use to denote that this is a secure site and no one else will be able to gain access to your personal and financial information.
The biggest advantage to be had from getting hold of a copy of your instant credit report especially if you are considering taking out some form of credit (loan or mortgage) is you will be able to see whether you are likely to be declined or approved. Certainly by keeping abreast of your credit history and how you are being scored will ensure that when it does come time to take out any kind of loan or mortgage you will be able to do so more easily. Plus it allows you the chance to help to improve your credit history if at any time you find that your financial situation changes.
Minnie
Today actually getting hold of an instant credit report is much easier to achieve than it was a couple of years ago. As we are all beginning to realize being able to know where we stand in relation to how credit worthiness is extremely important to many of us today. Unfortunately if your credit history is poor or bad actually getting a loan or mortgage is very difficult to achieve.
But by getting hold of a copy of your credit report from any of the three major credit reporting agencies you will be able to see just where you stand when it comes to your credit worthiness. Today not only are there personal credit reports a person can obtain but there are also business credit reports available.
The main feature of any of these types of reports is that they contain data relating to either you or your business which the various credit reporting agencies have collected. It contains information relating to your financial position and will show if you have any problems relating to late payments or debts remaining unpaid.
But when it comes to you getting hold of a copy of your credit report you need to be very careful when you are trying to obtain it. This is because the report will contain very important and personal information about you including details of your name, your address, any contact numbers and your date of birth. Plus it will also contain your social security number all of which can be extremely beneficial to those people who like to use other people personal details to obtain funds and goods fraudulently.
Therefore if you choose to arrange to get hold of your credit report through one of the many online services that offer such a facility you need to make sure that it is a completely secure website. With a site such as Experian they have a padlock which they use to denote that this is a secure site and no one else will be able to gain access to your personal and financial information.
The biggest advantage to be had from getting hold of a copy of your instant credit report especially if you are considering taking out some form of credit (loan or mortgage) is you will be able to see whether you are likely to be declined or approved. Certainly by keeping abreast of your credit history and how you are being scored will ensure that when it does come time to take out any kind of loan or mortgage you will be able to do so more easily. Plus it allows you the chance to help to improve your credit history if at any time you find that your financial situation changes.
Minnie
Credit Report – Your Personal Financial Profile
David T. Johnson asked:
A lot of people don’t know about their own credit report. Some people even don’t know that it even exists. Because of this, they tend to regularly neglect payments for their loans or their credit card bills. The result: a bad credit score. Basically, you have to remember that your score is your financial profile. It tells a lot about you financially and it is what determines whether creditors or lenders will approve you for the loan or the new credit card you applied for or not.
The credit report is what creditors take a look at in order to determine if you are risky to lend money to or not. This is what basically tells them that you are a good payer or you are a delinquent one. Even landlords take a look at their prospective tenant’s credit report to make sure that their future tenant will be able to pay the rent on time and also make sure that they will never run away in the middle of the night with payments worth 3 months rent.
As you can see, it is very important for you to make a good credit score by making a good credit report. Although the credit bureaus are the ones who make the report, you have to remember that they base the report on what you do financially.
In order to get a good credit report and a good credit score, you need to be able to make payments on or before the due date. By doing so, it will be recorded in the report and will have a positive impact on your credit score.
Basically, you alone are responsible on how your credit information will look like and how much credit score you have. If you are a good payer and you only made late payments once or twice, you will be able to get a positive report and score. In fact, if you are a good payer and you only have one late payment because of an unavoidable situation, then you can even have the negative report removed.
These are the things that you have to remember about credit report. It is your personal financial profile that you alone are responsible for making.
The better you pay off your credit card bills and your loans, the better your credit score will look like. So, you definitely need to take your repayments seriously. If a bill arrives, pay it off as soon as you can and never ever think about paying it off next week because you are lazy to get out of your couch and go to the bank. Your laziness may cost you your credit score and will give you a bad name in the eyes of your creditors.
These are the things that you need to remember about credit score, credit report and why it is very important for you to repay your bills on time.
However, there are times where your credit report might be bad even if you know you pay off your bills and loans on time. It may be caused by credit card fraud or it may be caused by mistakes made by the credit bureaus themselves. Just get a copy of your credit report and if you see any irregularities, dispute it, prove it and it will eventually clear up.
Your score is your financial profile. Always make sure that you have good credit in order for you to have more financial freedom by paying off your bills on time as well as constantly reviewing your credit report at least once a year.
Debra
A lot of people don’t know about their own credit report. Some people even don’t know that it even exists. Because of this, they tend to regularly neglect payments for their loans or their credit card bills. The result: a bad credit score. Basically, you have to remember that your score is your financial profile. It tells a lot about you financially and it is what determines whether creditors or lenders will approve you for the loan or the new credit card you applied for or not.
The credit report is what creditors take a look at in order to determine if you are risky to lend money to or not. This is what basically tells them that you are a good payer or you are a delinquent one. Even landlords take a look at their prospective tenant’s credit report to make sure that their future tenant will be able to pay the rent on time and also make sure that they will never run away in the middle of the night with payments worth 3 months rent.
As you can see, it is very important for you to make a good credit score by making a good credit report. Although the credit bureaus are the ones who make the report, you have to remember that they base the report on what you do financially.
In order to get a good credit report and a good credit score, you need to be able to make payments on or before the due date. By doing so, it will be recorded in the report and will have a positive impact on your credit score.
Basically, you alone are responsible on how your credit information will look like and how much credit score you have. If you are a good payer and you only made late payments once or twice, you will be able to get a positive report and score. In fact, if you are a good payer and you only have one late payment because of an unavoidable situation, then you can even have the negative report removed.
These are the things that you have to remember about credit report. It is your personal financial profile that you alone are responsible for making.
The better you pay off your credit card bills and your loans, the better your credit score will look like. So, you definitely need to take your repayments seriously. If a bill arrives, pay it off as soon as you can and never ever think about paying it off next week because you are lazy to get out of your couch and go to the bank. Your laziness may cost you your credit score and will give you a bad name in the eyes of your creditors.
These are the things that you need to remember about credit score, credit report and why it is very important for you to repay your bills on time.
However, there are times where your credit report might be bad even if you know you pay off your bills and loans on time. It may be caused by credit card fraud or it may be caused by mistakes made by the credit bureaus themselves. Just get a copy of your credit report and if you see any irregularities, dispute it, prove it and it will eventually clear up.
Your score is your financial profile. Always make sure that you have good credit in order for you to have more financial freedom by paying off your bills on time as well as constantly reviewing your credit report at least once a year.
Debra
Truth About Paying Collection Accounts and Credit Score
Stephen Snyder asked:
There is one thing most bankrupt people have in common…collection accounts.
However, it’s been my experience that most bankrupt people want to do the right thing and pay off the account(s). Sometimes it just takes a little time. And when you do the right thing, you expect the collection agency to do the right thing, too-don’t you?
Well, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Paying it Off Doesn’t Improve Credit Score
Even after you pay it off in full, and your credit reports show that you’ve paid the collection in full and have a $0 balance, it won’t help your FICO credit scores.
Here’s why…
Any appearance of a collection account on your personal credit reports lowers your credit scores. Once it finds its way onto your credit report, it’s part of your credit history. Whether you pay it off or not is of little consequence.
Original Dollar Amount of Collection Account Doesn’t Matter
Whether, the collection account is $100 for a severely overdue library book or $5,000 for 50 overdue library books-the end result is the same-your credit scores can decrease by the same amount.
This is a critical point. Many people think that because the debt is small, it can’t possibly hurt their credit scores.
Wrong.
Everyone knows that late payments on your mortgage or car loan, which can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, will damage your credit. However, if you let even a small $70 amount go to a collection agency, and it appears on your credit reports, it can damage your credit just as much.
Bottom line: anything from a collection agency that appears on your credit reports is going to decrease your credit scores. So, become extremely vigilant in protecting your credit reports from this type of information appearing in the first place.
Check Personal Credit Reports for a Collection Account
It’s a good idea to check your personal credit reports on a regular basis. When was the last time you checked yours? Now would be a good time. Go to http://www.myfico.com/12 and pay close attention to any negative items in the Public Records section.
Another option would be to subscribe to a credit monitoring service that allows you to monitor all activity on your three credit reports.
To Fight or Not to Fight…
If you want to win the credit scoring war, you have to know which battles to fight. The little battles over small dollar amounts are the ones you want to avoid. You’re going to lose those…even if you’re right. In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk of lowering your FICO credit scores.
Here’s an example of how a collection account can damage your credit. It comes from one of my readers in Marietta, Georgia.
She lived in an apartment with two other girls. They had all signed the lease. When they moved out, the apartment complex assessed them $300 in fees to cover damages to the apartment. Two of them sent in $100 each, but the third didn’t bother.
When the apartment complex sent a letter to all three girls demanding the last $100, the girls ignored it.
You guessed it-it eventually showed up as a collection on all three of their credit reports. That collection, for only $100, lowered her Equifax score from a high of 720 to a low of 512!
This was years ago-and her score still hasn’t fully recovered.
Wouldn’t it have been worth it for them to swallow their pride and pay the last $100?
Other Items that Show Up in the Public Records Section
Other items that can show up in the Public Records section and are treated much like collection accounts by FICO scoring models are:
- Federal and state tax liens (released and not released)
- Judgments and satisfied judgments
- Bankruptcy
When any of these items show up on your credit reports, your FICO credit scores go down.
How much? There’s no specific number, but your scores can easily go down by 100 points…or more.
Sure, if you pay off the collection it will show a $0 balance on your credit report. The problem is-from a credit scoring standpoint your FICO credit scores will go south regardless if the public record item is paid or not.
So the moral of the story is-once a collection account appears on your personal credit reports, you can’t resolve it by paying it off. You’re better off paying what you owe before it gets sent to a collection agency and shows up on your credit reports.
Sylvia
There is one thing most bankrupt people have in common…collection accounts.
However, it’s been my experience that most bankrupt people want to do the right thing and pay off the account(s). Sometimes it just takes a little time. And when you do the right thing, you expect the collection agency to do the right thing, too-don’t you?
Well, unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Paying it Off Doesn’t Improve Credit Score
Even after you pay it off in full, and your credit reports show that you’ve paid the collection in full and have a $0 balance, it won’t help your FICO credit scores.
Here’s why…
Any appearance of a collection account on your personal credit reports lowers your credit scores. Once it finds its way onto your credit report, it’s part of your credit history. Whether you pay it off or not is of little consequence.
Original Dollar Amount of Collection Account Doesn’t Matter
Whether, the collection account is $100 for a severely overdue library book or $5,000 for 50 overdue library books-the end result is the same-your credit scores can decrease by the same amount.
This is a critical point. Many people think that because the debt is small, it can’t possibly hurt their credit scores.
Wrong.
Everyone knows that late payments on your mortgage or car loan, which can be hundreds or thousands of dollars, will damage your credit. However, if you let even a small $70 amount go to a collection agency, and it appears on your credit reports, it can damage your credit just as much.
Bottom line: anything from a collection agency that appears on your credit reports is going to decrease your credit scores. So, become extremely vigilant in protecting your credit reports from this type of information appearing in the first place.
Check Personal Credit Reports for a Collection Account
It’s a good idea to check your personal credit reports on a regular basis. When was the last time you checked yours? Now would be a good time. Go to http://www.myfico.com/12 and pay close attention to any negative items in the Public Records section.
Another option would be to subscribe to a credit monitoring service that allows you to monitor all activity on your three credit reports.
To Fight or Not to Fight…
If you want to win the credit scoring war, you have to know which battles to fight. The little battles over small dollar amounts are the ones you want to avoid. You’re going to lose those…even if you’re right. In my opinion, it’s not worth the risk of lowering your FICO credit scores.
Here’s an example of how a collection account can damage your credit. It comes from one of my readers in Marietta, Georgia.
She lived in an apartment with two other girls. They had all signed the lease. When they moved out, the apartment complex assessed them $300 in fees to cover damages to the apartment. Two of them sent in $100 each, but the third didn’t bother.
When the apartment complex sent a letter to all three girls demanding the last $100, the girls ignored it.
You guessed it-it eventually showed up as a collection on all three of their credit reports. That collection, for only $100, lowered her Equifax score from a high of 720 to a low of 512!
This was years ago-and her score still hasn’t fully recovered.
Wouldn’t it have been worth it for them to swallow their pride and pay the last $100?
Other Items that Show Up in the Public Records Section
Other items that can show up in the Public Records section and are treated much like collection accounts by FICO scoring models are:
- Federal and state tax liens (released and not released)
- Judgments and satisfied judgments
- Bankruptcy
When any of these items show up on your credit reports, your FICO credit scores go down.
How much? There’s no specific number, but your scores can easily go down by 100 points…or more.
Sure, if you pay off the collection it will show a $0 balance on your credit report. The problem is-from a credit scoring standpoint your FICO credit scores will go south regardless if the public record item is paid or not.
So the moral of the story is-once a collection account appears on your personal credit reports, you can’t resolve it by paying it off. You’re better off paying what you owe before it gets sent to a collection agency and shows up on your credit reports.
Sylvia
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.
Jessie
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.
Jessie
Building a Credit History With Credit Cards
Nataliya Yakushev asked:
Building positive credit as early as possible is the best thing anyone on the brink of independence can do for themselves. Getting a head start makes it easier to obtain a line of credit when you really need it further down the road. If you wait too long to take your first stab at getting a credit card, lenders can deny you for not having enough debt – even worse, that rejection will show up on your credit report and pull down your credit score. While the notion seems backwards, credit card companies don’t want to take a blind risk.
Establishing revolving debt, or debt that fluctuates each month, like a credit card balance, is extremely important to creating positive credit. Lenders want to see that you have a history of spending money and being able to pay off those debts in a timely manner. Getting a low-interest card and using it sparingly is the best route to personal revolving debt.
A short-term approach to financial freedom – like avoiding opportunities to build a solid credit history – can prevent you from getting credit when you really need it, hurting your future financially.
Debit cards aren’t always the answer
Many college students and young people out on their own for the first time rely on debit cards as a credit card substitute, but this practice can actually hurt them in the long run. While using a debit card does force you to stay within your means and helps you save money by avoiding interest fees, you’re not creating a credit history of any kind.
Don’t piggyback on someone else’s credit
Parents often add children or spouses as “authorized users” to their card. This gives the authorized user free rein to use the credit card with none of the responsibility for paying the bill, which lies squarely on the original cardholder’s shoulders. It’s an easy way for students to quickly earn a good credit rating. However, late payments will negatively affect everyone associated with the account, regardless of who’s responsible for paying the bill. A secured card account may be a better choice and help avoid a poor credit history.
Get a secured credit card
People having trouble obtaining a traditional, unsecured credit card might want to build their foundation with a secured card. A secured card requires cardholders to offer collateral upfront to guarantee payment. It allows you to save and gain a line of credit at the same time. If you provide $300 upfront, your secured card will have a $300 spending limit. When you choose to cancel, the company returns that initial deposit to you, minus any outstanding debt.(1)
“Secure Credit Card List: Add Accounts, Build Your Credit Report History, and Improve Your Credit Score (Increase Your Savings Too),” The Credit Scoring Site
Donald
Building positive credit as early as possible is the best thing anyone on the brink of independence can do for themselves. Getting a head start makes it easier to obtain a line of credit when you really need it further down the road. If you wait too long to take your first stab at getting a credit card, lenders can deny you for not having enough debt – even worse, that rejection will show up on your credit report and pull down your credit score. While the notion seems backwards, credit card companies don’t want to take a blind risk.
Establishing revolving debt, or debt that fluctuates each month, like a credit card balance, is extremely important to creating positive credit. Lenders want to see that you have a history of spending money and being able to pay off those debts in a timely manner. Getting a low-interest card and using it sparingly is the best route to personal revolving debt.
A short-term approach to financial freedom – like avoiding opportunities to build a solid credit history – can prevent you from getting credit when you really need it, hurting your future financially.
Debit cards aren’t always the answer
Many college students and young people out on their own for the first time rely on debit cards as a credit card substitute, but this practice can actually hurt them in the long run. While using a debit card does force you to stay within your means and helps you save money by avoiding interest fees, you’re not creating a credit history of any kind.
Don’t piggyback on someone else’s credit
Parents often add children or spouses as “authorized users” to their card. This gives the authorized user free rein to use the credit card with none of the responsibility for paying the bill, which lies squarely on the original cardholder’s shoulders. It’s an easy way for students to quickly earn a good credit rating. However, late payments will negatively affect everyone associated with the account, regardless of who’s responsible for paying the bill. A secured card account may be a better choice and help avoid a poor credit history.
Get a secured credit card
People having trouble obtaining a traditional, unsecured credit card might want to build their foundation with a secured card. A secured card requires cardholders to offer collateral upfront to guarantee payment. It allows you to save and gain a line of credit at the same time. If you provide $300 upfront, your secured card will have a $300 spending limit. When you choose to cancel, the company returns that initial deposit to you, minus any outstanding debt.(1)
“Secure Credit Card List: Add Accounts, Build Your Credit Report History, and Improve Your Credit Score (Increase Your Savings Too),” The Credit Scoring Site
Donald