29
Apr
2011
22
Apr
2011
All you need to know about Credit Report and Score
All you need to know about Credit Report and Score
Summary: start checking your credit report and score once in a while. What you might not know about your account could cost you more than you hoped for.
With the recent surge of credit cards in the 80s, credit companies became the most successful financial sector in the United States, no doubt about it. Every year, with their revenues exceeding billions credit card companies is a thriving business indeed. But what we dont know about credit is usually those written in fine print. Conformity is one thing and ignorance is another. If you pay regularly the monthly dues what you might not know is some intended mistake that could cost you a lot. You should start checking your credit report and score once in a while. Read on and learn all you need to know about credit report and score.
Before, credit report used to be inaccessible to the public. Denoted mostly with abbreviations and irrelevant data, most consumers will only see crap if they ever get a glimpse of these credit files. So credit reports were kept from the public though they are still available for a sum.
It was sometime after when recent occurrences like individuals hopelessly broke due to credit mismanagement (and even credit debt related suicides) that the government decided to step in. With the 2003 FCRA Act, all credit bureaus are now required to release a free credit report annually. With this act in place and recent rampant activity of fraud in credit, it is recommended that habitual checking the credit report should be made.
So what are the differences of both? A Credit report is detailed information of all your credit activities. It includes every relevant data: date of the activity, nature of the account, status of the credit and even your contact information. Credit reports are the key to your actual credit score. So that in turn would define credit score as the average total of the scores noted in your credit report. The credit score would also include the reasons why score is lower than it should be. The credit score formula is always a proprietary information of the company that formulated them. (examples: FICO, Equifax..etc.)
Previously, a good number of documents are needed to win a credit line; detailed documents as to how you should pay and your monthly income. Now when applying for a credit account, your credit report history are computed faster than you can take time to think of and viola, your credit score. Today, lending and plan specialists do not need to do more casing than whats necessary thanks to the credit report and score. Ultimately, every negotiation you make every loan you apply would be factorized largely on your credit report and score.
Perhaps this should be the best incentive for you to take the habit of credit report and score checking. Being aware should give you an idea on the nature of a deal you should be expecting and the interest rate.
Checking credit report and scores once in a while regardless of need is optimal too. And it can save you from several ugly cases, like identity theft which became rampant when personal data and banking information are readily available once you crack certain codes. Identity theft occurs when one uses your personal data to collect information or commit thievery such as making loans and credit access on your behalf. While theres no real safeguard against this (most banking institutions do pay for security services against fraud and theft), checking credit report and scores once in a while is really a good counter to misfortunes such as this.
1
Apr
2011
The Lowdown on Credit Scores
The old saying money makes the world go around is truer today than ever before, and loans for everything from a house to a car is the way most people get the house of their dreams, and the ride they want. However, credit scores will indicate to lenders just what type of car or house one can purchase. Keeping a good credit score is vital, and knowing how they work, and what they might require is important too.
The top credit reporting bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union in the U.S. Anytime a loan is requested from anyone lenders will check to see what a credit score from one of the big three say. Typically credit scores from a credit history go from 300-900. Most people are in the mid range group, around 700, and the top half of the population is in the 800+. If a score of 550 or below is reported, then it is in the low range, and it is much harder to get a loan.
Most companies in the credit card industry set a standard cut off point for loans of credit. All companies are different though, and when applying for one, or getting an offer for a credit card, the loan amount is based on the credit score. Levels of credit are seen as a status symbol of the type of card that is offered, for example Platinum is the top, and Gold cards are a slightly lower credit card. It does not matter if it is a Platinum Visa, or a Gold Diners Card. Having a great credit score will allow high loan amounts on credit to be granted for personal or even for a company to use in their daily transactions.
It is all automated by computer, so any chance to push the loan limits up, is non-existent. There are no more friendly handshakes that will bargain or deal with anyone needing a loan. That is why it is so important to keep credit as near as perfect as possible. Credit scores determine a lot of factors when applying for a loan. It could mean that an outright rejection will happen, or it might mean that a large deposit or no deposit at all will be needed.
Interest rates are determined too on a credit score. Outrageous interest on a loan will be required if past payments on any debt is not paid out in a timely fashion. Some high-risk credit card expense can be as high as 26%. On the flip side if an average credit rating is reported by one of the three, then an average or loan end interest rate could be offered. Sometimes if a credit score is too bad it will be funded by another source besides the primary lending financial institution. The paper might have to visit several different companies before final approval is made.
Lenders at times might not go through all three credit-scoring companies. At times if one report satisfies their requirements for the loan they might only use it. If a loan for a mortgage is wanted, it is sure that the big three will be used for the loan. How they figure the loan amount is up to the individual lender, and it depends on company policy of the investors about how much, and to whom they want to lend the money too. Usually an average is figured from all of the scores on each, and a formula is applied to see if their own special guidelines are met. Again, this just all depends on the lending institutions rules and guidelines.
Remember to keep up to date with credit scores. They fluctuate from day to day, and if payments are kept up to date, then the credit score will allow for higher amounts to be borrowed and paid back. Sometimes there are mistakes that have not been removed from the credit reporting bureaus, and they need to be removed immediately. However, the companies that have loaned money are the ones that need to be contacted after looking over the credit scores. The credit reporting bureaus are not the one that can remove it, only the lending institutions. Make sure to always check out the credit scores at least two times per year for any personal or business accounts.
4
Mar
2011
Raise Your Credit Score
Raise your credit score!
Repair your credit!
Fix your credit! 100% guaranteed!
You may have seen one of these ads. Such bold promises and with prices to match. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a Consumer Alert against fraudulent credit repair scams, asking consumers to be wary of claims like these.
Instead of relying on quick credit repair schemes to fix your credit score, why not do the repairing yourself? There are many ways you can raise your credit score without spending a single cent. All you need is some amount of credit score understanding and what steps are needed to maintain or build a good credit.
Improve your Payment History
Your payment history is the first factors included in calculating your credit score, so it makes sense that you raise your credit score by improving your payment history. So how do you do it?
Well, the answer should be obvious. Pay your bills on time. If you have missed any payments, get current and stay that way. As much as possible, dont wait until your bills are at collection. Collection accounts have a tendency to stick in your credit report. Then, you can kiss your hopes to raise your credit score goodbye.
Out of all these tips, the one important thing you need to remember is punctuality in making payments. Thats all. Once youre passed that hurdle, then youll have no trouble trying to raise your credit score.
Lower Amounts Owed
As a rule, credit card debts should be kept at a minimal level. Even if you pay your credit card bills on time, the way credit card companies report your balances to the credit bureau could negatively affect your credit score. The credit card company does it once at any time of the month so if you havent yet made your payments at the time, its going to look to the credit bureau that you have a lot of outstanding credits.
You cant raise your credit score if you keep charging numerous purchases in your credit card. Also, paying off your debt is a better option than moving it around. The most effective way to raise your credit score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit. Sometimes, owning the same amount but with fewer open accounts can help lower your score.
Improve Your Credit History
A trick used by some people in order to make it appear that they have a long credit history is to open multiple new accounts. But this scheme is too risky. If you open a lot of new accounts in a very short time, this could actually lower your score down and make you appear like a risky borrower.
25
Feb
2011
Poor Credit Debt Consolidation Loans Helping The Needy
Poor credit history, sub prime credit history, adverse credit history, non status credit history, impaired credit history or bad credit history. There are many incarnations of this term but the idea still remains the same.
It means that a person has taken a loan previously and has defaulted with the repayments. Which makes it difficult for people to get loans and even when they get loans it is at an inflated rate of interest. All this is estimated on the basis of your credit score and it represents our financial credit worthiness. A score of below 600 is the score which puts the tag of poor credit on us. There are other scores as well which tell us about our standing like FICO scores. Experts for calculating usually take factors like payment history, amounts owed and types of credits used. So they all should not be ignored.
Different need compel us to buy different loans to cater for each of them. This puts us in an unwanted position where we owe debts to numerous creditors.
A debt consolidation loan is a tool which helps us in dealing with that possibility. With debt consolidation loan the borrowers can take a single loan which would negate those earlier loans and those creditors who trouble us for not making our repayments in time.
Debt consolidation is even more useful for people with bad credit history because this gives them a chance to improve on their reputation of poor credit history. This can be done by producing the similar results as desired by the creditor. Not only that other benefits of going for debt consolidation include:
APR is lower than the average APR of the amounts owed previously. Hence lower monthly installments.
No creditors chasing you around asking for their money.
While looking for debt consolidation loans you can get expert advice by the counselors.
It is psychologically easier to pay one loan than numerous different loans.
Depending upon your requirements and circumstances you can borrow a secured debt consolidation loan or an unsecured debt consolidation loan. All you need to do is estimate your requirements and then go online and find yourself a lender which would be willing to provide you with the loan amount you desire. Then go through the required formalities of the lender and the loan will be made available quickly.
It is not easy to be a borrower and have multiple creditors as you have to serve all of them in a manner on what you have agreed failing to do so would be harmful and can have derogatory consequences. This is why debt consolidation loans are there to help you and each borrower in the similar condition should consider going for them. The situation can only get better.
21
Jan
2011
Increase Credit Score How Do Credit Scores Work?
Although many mortgage companies and finance experts have been warning consumers about the importance of maintaining a good credit score, many people fail to recognize the value. When applying for any type of credit, potential lenders review our credit history and base loan approvals on its contents. If applying for instant credit, lenders simply use credit scores. Here are a few tips to help you understand how credit works, and tips for boosting your personal rating.
The Value of Credit Scores
Credit scores are a valuable tool for lenders. Because banks and other lending institutions receive numerous loan requests on a daily basis, it is challenging determining which applicants should get approved.
Lenders have many methods for judging a person’s credit worthiness. To speed up the process, several lenders begin by reviewing a credit score. To separate the good applicants from the bad, they establish a minimum credit score requirement. If your score falls below this requirement, it’s an immediate credit denial.
Calculating Credit Score
Many factors play a role in credit scoring. Scores are between 300 and 850. The higher the score, the better the credit. Although having perfect credit is very hard, it is possible to maintain a good credit rating. This typically consists of scores above 680. Those who fall into this category usually qualify for prime rates on home loans, auto loans, and credit cards.
When calculating credit scores, several factors are taken into account. For example, payment history, outstanding debt, length of credit, and inquiries. Payment history and outstanding debts contributes largely to credit scoring.
Payment history with creditors is important because future lenders are curious as to whether you submit payments on time, or have a habit of being late. Moreover, having too much debt will have a negative effect on your score.
Raising Credit Scores
Little things can quickly boost your credit score. For starters, begin establishing a good payment history with creditors. Because payment history contributes to 35% of credit scoring, paying creditors on time is a great way to increase your score. Furthermore, reduce your outstanding debts. Debt contributes to 30% of scoring. Thus, the more debt you have, the lower your score. Keeping credit cards at their maximum limit is damaging. If possible, keep cards at about 25% of their maximum limit.
14
Jan
2011
Increase Credit Scores
Every person is constantly striving to improve ones self. And why not? Self-improvement is a great thing.
So you become a better public speaker to earn a promotion. And you go to the gym to loose a few pounds. And you increase credit scores to save yourself thousands of dollars on a purchase.
Your credit score can make or break you when you apply for a loan. That is why its important that you take steps to increase credit scores or at least maintain a good level for them. Below are some tips to help you increase credit scores and be on your way to great, money-saving purchases:
Be punctual in your payments.
Lenders love punctual payers. Your credit scores do, too. That is why its not unusual to get high scores if you have been paying your bills on time. The easiest way to increase credit scores is to pay your bills regularly and always on time. Avoid late payments, collections, and bankruptcies like the plague for these have the greatest negative effect on your credit score.
Check your credit reports regularly.
The information in your credit report actually forms the basis of your credit scores. So if your credit score is low and youre wondering why, the answer lies in your credit report.
Any inaccuracy in your credit report will reflect itself in your record as a low credit score. Thats why it is advised that you check your credit report at least once a year to help you increase credit scores.
Reduce your debts.
The amount of debt you have and the amount of credit available play an important role in determining your credit score. So if you have high debt amount but low credit, this usually spells a low credit score. On the other hand, if you have lots of credit available and minimum debt, then its high scores for you.
Following on this logic, if you reduce your debts, then you can increase credit scores. Keep your credit card debts at minimum and avoid any unnecessary charges.
Build credit over time.
At the risk of sounding clichd, Rome wasnt built in a day. To increase credit scores, time is an essential element. Having a long credit history will positively impact your credit scores while short credit history usually means you are a risky borrower.
Some people actually try to circle around this obstacle by opening several new accounts in an effort to make it appear that they have several credits. However, this kind of scheme could back fire since multiple new accounts opened in a short period of time can actually lower your score down.
So if you want to increase credit scores, it is better to be patient and to bide your time.
31
Dec
2010
How to Evaluate and Raise Your Credit Score
Why do some people get offers for pre-approved credit cards and others dont? What do car dealers know about your financial health that you dont know? The answer is your credit score.
Your credit score is a number generated by a mathematical formula to estimate how likely you are to pay your bills. Based on the information in your credit reports from the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, your credit score has been a factor in your ability to qualify for loans and good interest rates for more than twenty years. Lenders compare your credit report with millions of others to determine your score.
While there are a variety of credit scoring methods available to lenders, the most widely used is the FICO score. Based on a scoring system developed by Fair, Isaac & Co., FICO scores range from approximately 300 to 800 points and are provided to lenders by the three credit bureaus. You also have access to your FICO scores but will be charged a fee by each credit agency providing your report.
According to Fair Isaac, the credit scores of the American public are divided as follows:
499 and below 1 percent
500-549 5 percent
550-599 7 percent
600-649 11 percent
650-699 16 percent
700-749 20 percent
749-799 29 percent
800 and above 11 percent
A score of 720 or higher will probably get you the best interest rates on a home mortgage. Your credit card company looks at your credit score to decide whether or not to raise your credit limit or charge you a higher interest rate. The higher your credit score, the better you look to lenders and the lower your interest rates.
Several factors affect your credit score including your payment history, the length of your credit history, any outstanding debt, how long and how often youve had derogatory credit information, such as bankruptcies, charge-offs, or collections, and the amount of credit you are using compared to the amount of credit available to you.
So how do you raise your credit score? Well, the first thing to do is to order a copy of your credit report with the score included from each of the three credit bureaus. Review your reports and note any discrepancies. Correcting blatant errors is the first step to repairing your credit, and changes can take up to three months to be recorded.
Next, remember to pay your bills on time. It may seem like a small thing at the time youre writing that monthly check, but an accumulation of timely payments says a lot to a potential lender looking for a reliable client. Prompt payments in the last few months can actually make a big difference in your credit score.
While collections, bankruptcies, and late payments have the greatest negative effect on your credit score, your debt is a factor as well. Keeping your account balances between 25% and 50% of your available credit signals a responsible borrower. For example, if you have a credit card with a 2000 limit, keep your debt below 1000. For this reason, consolidating your credit card debt can actually lower your credit score, as it raises the ratio of your debt to your available credit. The best solution is to simply pay off your existing cards as quickly as possible.
Excessive inquiries over a short period of time also damage your score. When lenders, banks, or credit card companies check your credit report, the inquiries are recorded. Several of these hard inquiries in the same time period may signal to other lenders that you are opening multiple accounts due to financial difficulty.
If you discover that you have accounts on your report that you didnt open, or your public records such as tax liens or judgments that are not yours, you may be a victim of identity fraud. It is up to you to deal with the damage that can happen to your credit score because of this criminal activity. Being aware is your first step, but when the items end up on your report, you have no alternative but to clean it up.
Overall, give yourself time to build a good credit score and even more time to correct serious problems. The length of your credit history is another determining factor in a good score. Lenders want to know that you are able to maintain prompt payments and good standing for a period of time. So check your reports yearly, do your due diligence, and your score can improve.
26
Nov
2010
12
Nov
2010