 |
|
The source of the best business, financial and legal news |
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
 | |
| |
 |
Business Informations |
|
|
|
What Is A Credit Report?
Even if you have heard of a credit report, you may not know exactly what it is. If so, this credit report article is for you. Learning about your credit report is important in any campaign to eliminate credit card debt and obtain a good credit status. So, you should at least know the credit report basics. What is this credit card report then? For a start, whenever you borrow money from a legitimate commercial lender, your record of repayments will be public. Each time you make a payment, whether it is on time or late, it will go on the record on which your credit report will be based. Also, each time someone requests a copy of your credit report, that will be noted as well. If you are involved in a bankruptcy, or have a tax lien, it will all go on the credit report. So, as you can see, your financial transactions, as they involve credit and debt, will be available for all to see. Why Does the Credit Report Matter? A credit report is often thought of as something that lenders use when deciding whether or not to extend you credit. That is true-you will not be able to apply for a credit card, car loan or mortgage without the potential lender first checking to see if you are credit worthy. Additionally, though, insurance companies are now using credit reports to determine whether or not someone would be a good risk, as are employers. If you are thinking of renting an apartment, house or commercial space, remember, you will need a good credit report! Getting a Copy of Your Credit Report? You have decided, then, that your credit report is something you should take an interest in, and you are right. But how do you get a copy of your personal credit report? There are three credit reporting agencies, and it's a good idea to get a copy of your report from all three-just in case there are discrepancies. The credit report agencies are: Experian (located at www.experian.com) Trans Union (located at www.transunion.com ) Equifax (located at www.equifax.com) You will have to provide the following information to the credit reporting agencies, in order to get a copy of your credit report: a) your full legal name, (b) your current address, as well as your last (if you've been at your current one for less than five years), (c) your date of birth, (d) your social security number and (e) a signature. You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report every year, but you will need a copy from all three agencies. Expect to pay a small fee to receive any other copies. What Are The Other Free Credit Reports? It also may be possible to get a free copy of your credit report if you meet certain criteria. They are: * You are unemployed, but plan to look for a job within the next two months. * You have been the victim of credit identify fraud, or some other fraud that will affect your report. * You are currently receiving welfare payments. * You've recently had a credit application turned down. What If You Don't Like What You See In Your Credit Report? If your credit report has bad marks on it, you have two possible courses of action, depending on whether or not the marks are true. If you have made some mistakes in the past, there is no magic formula that will erase them! You will have to get some help-either through a credit counseling company-or simply work to pay off your debts and be on time with your payments. Those marks will stay on your report for seven years-or ten years for a bankruptcy. If, on the other hand, you find that there are false statements on your credit report, you have some options to clear them up. You should write a letter to each credit reporting agency explaining the mistake, along with any proof that you have to back up your claims-such as paid receipts-and then wait. They will have 30 days to investigate the claim and make a decision. Having a good credit report is key to all your financial future as far as credit transactions go. If you have never seen your own credit report, why not take the step now and get a copy? Roy Thomsitt is owner and part author of http://www.eliminate-credit-card-debt-now.com
MORE RESOURCES:
credit - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How To Start A Second SEPERATE Credit File! Your personal credit file is separated from those with the same or similar names by several factors, including a driver's license number, birth date, or spouse's name. Although these are three important identifying marks, the number one identifying mark on your credit report is your social security number. Repairing Your Credit Score and Clearing Derogatory Marks on Your Credit Report Raising your credit score can be a fairly simple and straightforward process unless you have derogatory marks that need to be disputed (which will be explained below).The reasons for bad credit can be as follows, high balances, bankruptcies, late payments, and many others. Fun with Credit Cards For those of us who know how to use them properly, credit cards can actually be quite fun and lucrative. To those who do not know how to use them properly, I would say that you should stop reading this column right about now, or at least I would advise you not to try any of this stuff at home. Balance Transfers Can Help You Stop Putting Money Down The Drain! As you probably know, interest rates are at all time low right now and if you aren't getting the best deal from your credit card company then they owe it to you to either lower your rate, or you owe it to yourself to find a better deal. You see, credit card companies need your business in order to succeed and if you refuse to pay a penny more than you have to then you'll be doing yourself and others a big favour indeed. Dont Fall For A Scheme When Trying To Rebuild Your Credit History For people with a spotty credit history or bad credit, getting approved for a standard credit card can be difficult, if not impossible.There are a number of credit card options that are aimed specifically at people who have bad credit and are trying to rebuild or repair it. Credit Card Incentives Credit card companies want your business. After all, lending money to people is profitable. Credit Report Secrets: Do You Know What They Reveal? If you've ever applied for a credit card or loan, you've probably had your credit report reviewed by the lender. Your credit report has a huge impact on your financial future, so it's well worth your time to be sure that you understand what your credit report says about you. Rewards Cards - Are They Right For You? Rewards cards have become the latest rage in the credit card industry. In the past, consumers shopped for credit cards that offered the lowest interest rate. Cash Back vs. Rewards Credit Cards Ah, the sweet rewards of using credit!Not only do you get immediate gratification with the buy now-pay later plastic, but now, many credit cards offer rewards and incentives for using their card to make purchases. You can get cash back, or gift cards, or 'reward points' that you can spend on merchandise or services from various merchants. 4 Steps You Can Take If Your Online Credit Card Application Has Been Refused Help! I've Been Turned DownYou received an envelope in the mail with a great offer for a low interest credit card. You read all the details, even the boring small print and decided that this card fit your needs to a tee. Different Types of Credit Cards and Features - Part 1 Just as there are too many credit card companies to count, there seems to be just as many different credit cards, all claiming to offer you the best possible deal. Since no two people are alike, not all programs and incentives will work the same for everyone. Why Does FACTA Matter to Me? FACTA stands for Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. FACTA is the law which allows any American access to their credit report once per year. A No-Brainer Way Of Getting Credit And Credit Cards What Is Your Credit Rating Now?If you have any charge accounts now, or have ever borrowed from the bank to buy a car, or if you ar paying on a mortgage, there is credit information on you.Up until a few years ago, you could only guess at what your credit rating was, because the credit bureaus who keep track of borrowers wouldn't tell the borrowers anything! But that's been changed through several laws, and now the bureaus have to send you your credit file when you request it. Do You Know Whats On Your Credit Report ? It is important to know your credit rating for a number of reasons. Believe it or not there may be errors in your credit report, and it is essential that you repair them immediately. Taking Control of Your Credit History Your credit history is important; in fact, in this day and age, only family and your time are more important than your credit history! The first time you established a payment commitment over a period of time for a purchase, you began your history of credit, and the credit bureau created your account. Payments such as the electric company, a rental agreement, a cell phone, a car payment or a low-rate credit card which you also have a responsibility to repay are not reported to the credit bureaus as a part of your credit history. What You Need to Know About Credit Reports You hear people talk about credit reports all the time but do you know what they are really all about? Well, if you have ever been turned down when applying for a credit card or a loan it is high time you learned all about your credit report and how you can get it working for you instead of against you.Let's start off by explaining what your credit report actually is. Defeating Credit Card Debt With Self Control Credit card debt is a major social problem in some Western countries. To rid yourself of credit card debt, it is best to recognize the problem as both a social and individual problem. Credit Card Balance Transfers Can Help You Stop Putting Money Down The Drain As you probably know, interest rates are at all time low right now and if you aren't getting the best deal from your credit card company then they owe it to you to either lower your rate, or you owe it to yourself to find a better deal. You see, credit card companies need your business in order to succeed and if you refuse to pay a penny more than you have to then you'll be doing yourself and others a big favour indeed. Like It Or Not, You Have A Score To Settle! Like It Or Not, You Have A Score To Settle! (Part 1 of 2 on Credit Scoring)Just when most people finish with school and can stop worrying about test scores, there's a new kind of scoring that enters the picture. It's called credit scoring. Credit cards If gold medals were awarded for marketing consistency, the credit card industry would be the Sarah Hughes of the business world. Major players Visa and MasterCard, who have maintained their steady rates of spending and commitment to their positioning platforms for years, will stick to their established routines this year.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
