Credit Repair Made Easy - Erase Bad Credit And Establish AAA-1
Credit Fast
Credit is used every day by millions of people yet most do not
have a clear understanding of how the credit reporting system
operates. Most people only know that they can flip out a credit
card and purchase what they want and pay for it some time in the
future.
The practice of "buy now, pay later" has assumed a large and
significant role in our society. Credit indicates faith in the
ability and willingness of the customer to pay for what he buys
within a specified time.
When you make a purchase, and charge it with a credit card, you
are using consumer credit. This means, obtaining the goods or
services first, and paying for them sometime in the future.
Credit makes it possible for one to enjoy needed items
immediately. For most people, buying those big-ticket items,
such as, cars and houses would be virtually impossible without
good credit. Maintaining a good credit history is essential even
though you may have cash that would make buying on credit
unnecessary.
Due to increased use, it became necessary to issue reports on
credit histories of consumers. Credit reporting agencies, also
known as credit bureaus, were formed to supply these reports.
Credit bureaus compile and sell information about consumers, and
are a principal source of information about your credit history.
They are financed by members, which include banks, department
stores, credit card companies, finance and mortgage companies
and other credit grantors. They sell this information to lenders
or any credit-issuing firm from which you have requested credit.
The information is sold in the form of credit reports.
Before creditors give you credit, they check your credit report.
Your credit report shows how you have paid your bills in the
past. It provides credit grantors with information they need to
evaluate your creditworthiness.
Your credit report contains the following information: Your
name, date of birth, residence records, Social Security Number,
occupation, employer, marital history, repayment pattern on
credit cards, installment loans, and other credit accounts you
have with different creditors. Your credit report may also note
other matters of public record, such as judgments or
bankruptcies.
If your credit report shows that you have been reliable in the
past, then in most cases credit will be granted. Past credit
experience which shows delinquent payments, repossessions,
lawsuits, charge-offs or bankruptcy may lead creditors to deny
you credit.
Many people mistakenly believe that once you have bad credit
that there is no way to change it. Don't believe it. You can
change your credit report for the better. If you have problems
with your credit history, there are steps you can take to help
solve your credit problems.
The first step is to obtain a copy of your credit report. The
law says that you have the right to know what is in your credit
file. You should want to learn what information is being
distributed about you by credit bureaus.
If you have been denied credit within the past 60 days and one
of the reasons for the denial was "unfavorable" credit report,
you have the right to get your report at no cost. If not, the
credit bureau may charge you a fee for giving you information.
After you have received your credit report, examine it to see
whether all information is accurate and complete. Make a list of
all the errors and negative items. If there is a negative item
in the report, you have the right to dispute that item. You
should write to the credit bureau and explain why you think the
information is not correct.
Each item on your credit report must be proven or it cannot
remain in the report. Send your letters by certified mail with a
return receipt requested.
When the credit bureau receives your letter of dispute, they are
required to investigate and advice you of the results of their
investigation. If a disputed item cannot be verified, the credit
bureau must delete it.
If you disagree with the results of the reinvestigation, you
have the right to add a statement to your credit bureau file in
100 words or less, explaining your version of the dispute.
After making any corrections on your report, you have the right
to demand that the credit bureau send corrected copies of your
report to all creditors who have checked your file within the
past six months. Job applicants can have a corrected copy of
their credit report sent to anyone who received a copy during
the past two years for employment purposes.
Once you have cleaned up your credit report, you are ready to
start adding positive credit items. There are several ways you
can begin to build good credit.
A secured credit card is one of the easiest ways to build good
credit. There are financial institutions that will issue a Visa
or MasterCard to you if you open a savings account at their bank
regardless if you have bad credit or no credit. A secured credit
card is guaranteed by a deposit that you make with the financial
institution.
Each financial institution has its own requirements. So read the
fine print before applying for a card. Make sure the credit card
issuer reports your payment to all three major credit bureaus.
Another way to add positive credit information to your report is
to take out a loan from a bank and pay it back promptly. To
carry out this plan, go to your bank and open a savings account
and use it as a collateral for a loan. Usually the bank will be
glad to give you the loan since there's no risk to the bank if
you default.
Repeat the above steps at two or three banks. Make payments on
these loans for about four to six months and then pay off the
balance in lump sum. Return to each bank and ask to have the
hold placed on your savings released.
Remember the whole reason you borrowed against your savings
deposit is to rebuild your credit. It is important these banks
report your payment histories to the credit bureaus. So before
you carry out this plan, make sure they'll report your payments
to the credit bureaus.
Department stores will often make you a loan, by means of a
charge card. You can obtain department store credit cards. Once
you have established good credit references using secured credit
card or bank loan technique, you will find it extremely easy to
get department store credit cards.
You can ask someone with a good credit record to cosign on your
application for credit. This is an effective way to speed up the
process of rebuilding good credit.
You can clean up your bad credit, add positive credit
information, and get yourself back on the right track. A good
credit rating will enable you to receive and enjoy some of the
better things in life.