Showing posts with label credit bureaus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label credit bureaus. Show all posts

2007/10/21

Solutions for Chexsystems & Bad Credit

By:IC

It is often thought that bankruptcy, collections and ChexSytems records are the end of an individual financial history. This is a common misconception which needs to be addressed before going any further. We are all humans and as such, we face ever changing social influences which sometimes affect our financial situation, a good example could be: missing mortgage and credit card payments, overdrawing checking accounts due to the ailment of an uninsured family member is one of several common reasons why good and honest people find themselves in such predicaments.

The example above depicts two serious problems which can be solved by having the right information. When someone misses a credit card, personal loan or mortgage payment, the creditor/company reports a payment interruption to the credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), each one of these bureaus has its own way to calculate credit scores based on carefully formulated mathematical formulas. Once this report is posted to a person credit report, the credit score fluctuates and the credit score is the main piece of data Financial institutions base their decisions upon, when it comes to loan and line of credit approvals.

Obtaining a credit card, even though your credit is less than perfect, is not that hard. These credit cards can be used to re-established or rebuild bad credit but it is important to keep in mind that the interest rates will be higher. Another option available to individuals looking for a credit card under these terms is to get a prepaid debit card or credit card, where the account requires an initial deposit which determines the credit line available.

Similar to credit bureaus, ChexSystems keep records of individuals who have overdrawn their checking account and a considerable amount of time has gone by without repayment.

When it comes to debit accounts which have been cancelled and reported to ChexSystem a customer can open another account through a non-ChexSystem/Telecheck institution. Second chance checking accounts are also available to address such problem.

It is always extremely important to be on top of our daily finances to avoid complications. Free and affordable tools such as free credit reports are also available to help improve our credit and avoid identity theft issues, but if the moment comes when you need to use any of these resources it is a great relief to know that they are available regardless of how bad the situation may be.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com


About the Author:

CreditServicer provides more accurate information about bad credit and second chance banking. Learn more about ChexSystems and see all the different checking account alternatives available, visit us today!

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2007/09/28

Credit Repair: Tricks Of The Trade

Are you interested in building and maintaining great credit? Credit repair and restoration expert Jim Kemish discusses a few powerful credit repair strategies that can produce dramatic results in a short period of time.

Great Credit is Within Reach

The benefits of great credit are significant. The effort that you put into improving your credit score will be well rewarded. Here are the some powerful credit repair strategies that can produce dramatic results in a short period of time.

Check Your High Credit Limits

The relationship between your current balance and the available credit limit on each of your revolving accounts has a major impact on your credit score. Consumers often overlook this important issue. Each and every revolving account on your report should be examined. If the high credit limit is understated send a dispute letter to each of the three credit bureaus asking them to update the information. Don’t bother calling the credit card companies directly. The credit bureaus are responsible. Let them do the work. The results will be better and faster.

Increase Your High Credit Limits

There is one additional course of action that you should consider that can also reduce the ratio of your current balance to your high credit limit. Call each and every credit card company and ask them to increase your available limit. They may or may not agree, but you might be surprised. By the way, please keep in mind that you are doing this to improve your credit. Having a higher credit limit does not mean that you should use it.

Check the Age of Your Accounts

New accounts count against your credit score. Conversely, the credit bureaus will reward you for the accounts that you have maintained over time. When reviewing your three credit reports be sure to look carefully at the initial reporting date for each revolving and installment account. If the age of the account is incorrect on your credit reports send dispute letters to the bureaus. Here also don’t bother contacting the creditor directly. You will find that this is well worth the time involved.

Resurrect an Old Account

It is not unusual to discover an account on your credit report that you forgot about years ago. If you don’t have much credit please don’t cancel the account. If you no longer have the card in your possession I suggest that you call the company and obtain a replacement card. When you get it you should make a small purchase. The exact algorithm used in the FICO score is a secret, but based on our observations it is best to have some occasional activity on a credit card. Old accounts are good accounts!

Secured Cards

If you have limited credit and want to improve your credit score it is essential that you get a few credit cards. Secured credit cards are an excellent option that is available to everyone regardless of credit history. In the credit repair business we recommend this course of action. It is true that opening a new account will have an adverse impact on your score, but it is worse to have a lack of credit. In this situation secured cards will have an important and positive impact. Typically there are some fees involved with these cards as well as relatively high interest rates.

Authorized User Cards

In addition to getting a couple of secured credit cards you should also ask a trusted friend or relative if they will make you an authorized card member on one of their accounts. Currently the FICO scoring model seems to give new authorized card members the full score benefit of the principle card members credit history. Please be aware that authorized user status is not the same as additional card member status. Authorized user status does not require that you qualify, and either your friend or you can cancel your status at any time. I suspect that both you and the principle card member will favor the authorized card member status.

Post Bankruptcy Cleanup

If you have had a bankruptcy you should take action to clean up your credit with all three bureaus immediately upon receiving your discharge. If you don’t feel up to the task of dealing with the paperwork I suggest that you hire a reputable credit repair company. A reputable credit repair company will be inexpensive and be able to do this for you very quickly. The credit bureaus are required to remove all of the derogatory information from each account that was discharged. If you don’t take action to clean up your credit report it will not happen by itself. A comprehensive post bankruptcy clean up can have a dramatic impact on your credit scores within as little a sixty days after your discharge.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Jim Kemish is the president and founder of Power Mortgage, a Florida mortgage company based in Delray Beach, Florida. Jim is also the President of Sky Blue Credit, a national credit repair
business.

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2007/08/28

How To Remove Unauthorized Credit Inquiries From Your Credit Reports

by David Faulkner

A credit inquiry is done to verify who received your credit reports and when. The credit agencies do keep a complete track of who received your credit statement and for what purpose. Some inquiries do reduce your credit score, but not in all cases. Some inquires which are not a problem are Inquiries regarding court orders, Order of your own credit report from authorities, applying for a job, applying for home owner's, auto or rental insurance etc. Inquiries that do have a negative effect on your credit score are applying for a government license, allowing someone to access your credit, collection of debts. The credit score is calculated not only keeping in view the current unpaid bills but the complete account history and accordingly they analyze whether their money with you is safe or not and what more can be offered to you. How much can a credit inquiry lower your credit scores?

Knowing that the credit inquiries have an adverse effect you will definitely try and evaluate what actually the results are. There is no correct answer to this but one can make an assumption. Age factor comes into play here. A person with 60 years of credit history will be placed differently as compared to a beginner. Someone who has already faced a financial crisis will be treated differently. According to the studies, approximately 12 points are lost in case of bankruptcy.

Unauthorized Inquiry

This is the case when somebody tries to access your report without your consent. These inquiries have the worst effect on credit scores, so they must be handled seriously and tactfully. If somebody tries to get inquiry of your account you can write to the authorities asking for a proof. If they are unable to provide results you can post a conflict. You can even sue the company in case they are not able to provide you with proofs. All you have to do is make three copies of a dispute letter and mail it to all the credit reporting agencies. Then the authorities will need to act accordingly, inquire the lender and let you know about all the details. In case the authorities fail to send to a complete report (called as 'willful noncompliance), they are in trouble but this doesn't happen a lot especially in the case of reputed companies.

Remedies to inquiry disputes

In case you report a dispute to the company and they fail to respond back and clarify their point, then you have all the reasons to sue the company. One must keep a few things in mind before going on with this step like keeping a track of your credit scores just before the incident and after it. This will definitely help you claim the damages clearly and strongly. Say your disputed inquires cause you a reduction in your credit score from 580 to 568, the authorities will have to pay for it if you are able to prove their default in the case. Even the company itself can track back the complete information but its better for you to keep all information with you before hand. So if you are looking for a way to boost credit score ratings to provide you with a much sounder financial base, you must follow the instructions.

One of the agencies has an on-line reporting system, but it is not very user friendly. The window is tiny and in order to read a sentence, you have to scroll from left to right. The best way to notify the credit bureaus of your disputes is to send them a letter. Letter writing suggestions are included in many books with credit repair tips. but you can view a perfectly usable example of a dispute letter at the Federal Trade Commission's credit website.

About the Author
You can also find more info on credit check loans and bad credit repair. Creditscorereportguide.org is a comprehensive resource to find guidness about credit score.

source:www.goarticles.com

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2007/08/03

Four Steps To Good Credit

By:Sean Matteson

As a consumer you've learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.

A bad credit history or bad credit habits will place "black marks" on your credit profile. These include things such as late payments, having an account assigned to a collection agency, and of course bankruptcy.

Establishing good credit habits and therefore a good credit rating will improve your credit worthiness. This will be reflected in potential lenders offering you substantially lower interest rates and better deals on credit offers.

Here are 4 tips to help you create a shining credit profile:

1) Pay Your Bills On Time

Lenders only have your past payment history on which to decide the type of credit risk you present to them. How you pay off your debts now indicates to them how you will pay off future debts.

2) Don't Carry Too Many or Too Few Credit Cards

How much is too much ? How little is too little ? Many credit experts and financial planners suggest two to four credit cards is just the right mix.

3) Pay At Least The Minimum Due

Always pay at least the minimum due payment, but never less. And remember, just paying the minimum payment means it will take you years and years to pay off that credit card.

Example: Paying off a $2,000 credit payment at 18% APR with a minimum monthly payment of 2% ($40 dollars or less) will take you 30 years to pay off the amount plus interest.

4) Review Your Credit Report Regularly

Monitor your credit report from all three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - on a regular basis. Check your credit profile at least annually. Review it carefully and make sure that any past mistakes or disputes have been corrected.

Also, if you notice an account listed that you know that you have not personally opened, contact that creditor and the credit bureaus immediately. This could be a sign that you've had your identity stolen. Request to have a fraud alert placed on your profile and account to protect yourself and your credit. Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in America, with an estimated 1 million people victimized each year.

Establish good credit habits early in life and reap the benefits that your good credit rating will provide you for the rest of your financial future.


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The "CREDIT SECRETS BIBLE" has been in print since 1994 and is published by Consumer Publishing Group. For more information on establishing and keeping good credit using "CREDIT SECRETS BIBLE" please visit: http://www.credit-secrets-bible.net

Source: http://www.articlealley.com

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