| Have you ever been denied a credit card or | | | | nationwide consumer reporting companies, are |
| home loan, and you simply just didnt know | | | | required to provide you with a free copy of |
| why? The credit provider or lender told you | | | | your credit report every 12 months. |
| that your credit history just wasnt up to par | | | | |
| in order to qualify for the line of credit or | | | | Now there is no excuse for you not to keep on |
| loan. | | | | top of your very important credit report. All |
| | | | you have to do is go to and request your |
| Well sure you made a few mistakes in the | | | | free report! Or, you can call 1-877-322-8228. |
| past, perhaps a few late payments, and of | | | | Always check your credit report before you |
| course there is some debt that you are aware | | | | apply for any mortgage loan or line of |
| of. But then again, doesnt everyone? You | | | | credit. |
| certainly didnt believe that your credit | | | | |
| report history was bad enough to not qualify | | | | So you have your credit report, what next? |
| for a credit card or loan, even at a higher | | | | Evaluate each item as accurate or inaccurate. |
| interest rate. | | | | Which items can you clear quickly by simply |
| | | | closing a card or calling a creditor and |
| Let me tell you a secret, many people have | | | | paying off an old debt? If there are |
| absolutely no idea what is on their credit | | | | inaccurate items, you must make a dispute in |
| report! Your credit report has, in the past, | | | | writing with supporting information. This |
| been something not readily available to you, | | | | means copies of any documents that support |
| or an expensive item to attain. Many people | | | | your claim. You must send this information to |
| are just not aware that your credit history | | | | both the credit consumer company as well as |
| can determine your financial activities for | | | | the credit provider. |
| your entire life. This is becoming more | | | | |
| prevalent as credit awareness and education | | | | If your dispute is accepted and changes are |
| is deemed necessary. So it is important to | | | | made, the company must send you the changes |
| always be apprised as to what is really on | | | | in writing as well as send you a new credit |
| your credit report! | | | | report with the inaccurate information |
| | | | removed. The credit provider may not make the |
| There can be either two items on your credit | | | | same claim against you again. If you find |
| report: accurate or inaccurate. Credit | | | | inaccurate information and get it fixed, then |
| providers may have reported inaccurate | | | | your credit report will be better, and |
| information on your report! Mistakes happen | | | | another step towards getting that lower |
| that you may not even be aware of. A move, | | | | mortgage rate has been made! |
| changed phone number, lost mail, open credit | | | | |
| cards from 15 years ago that you simply didnt | | | | If there are negative items that are accurate |
| know existed, and other easily overlooked or | | | | on your report, then you must take action |
| forgotten items do happen, more than one | | | | towards fixing them! If you are not sure what |
| might think. Hey, who has time to keep track | | | | to do, consult a financial advisor at your |
| of every single financial item when life, as | | | | bank who can help you set up a repayment |
| we know it (busy, fast paced) is hardly ever | | | | plan, consolidate debt if need be, or even |
| forgiving? | | | | investigate debt forgiveness. |
| | | | |
| Many people get down on themselves for having | | | | Negative items will stay on the credit report |
| a bad credit score. But this is not | | | | up to seven years, but if you make an effort |
| necessary! It is not a reflection of who you | | | | to begin paying back debts, and show you are |
| are. Really. You may have never been educated | | | | serious about qualifying for a mortgage loan, |
| on how to handle your finances or extenuating | | | | then you are yet closer to proving to a |
| circumstances may have greatly effected your | | | | mortgage lender that you are both willing and |
| credit. So in order to stay on top of your | | | | able to pay back a loan. And these two |
| credit history, and not be blind sided by an | | | | things: willingness and ability are exactly |
| embarrassing, unexpected rejection, check | | | | what a lender evaluates when considering a |
| your credit report! | | | | person for a loan. |
| | | | |
| Credit reports are no longer some far off | | | | Fixing your credit of accurate negative items |
| document that is hard to get a hold of. After | | | | takes personal effort and time. However, |
| all, it is YOUR credit report, right? | | | | fixing inaccurate information that can |
| Shouldnt you have easy access to it? Well | | | | greatly increase your credit score, can be |
| somebody else thought you should too, and the | | | | done fairly quickly. If you are serious about |
| Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA) was enacted | | | | getting a mortgage loan, or even a better |
| just for this reason. Here are the terms: | | | | mortgage loan to save you money, consult your |
| | | | credit report before you take any steps at |
| Every person is entitled to a free credit | | | | all! |
| report if a credit company takes an adverse | | | | |
| action against you, or if your application | | | | By understanding where you stand, you can |
| for credit or insurance is denied. | | | | either choose to go forward and find a |
| | | | mortgage loan that is within your limits, or |
| You are entitled to a free credit report if | | | | repair your credit before making a move. Even |
| you are unemployed and plan to get a job in | | | | if you are not considering a loan or line of |
| 60 days, are on welfare, or if your report is | | | | credit, always stay on top of your credit |
| inaccurate because of fraud including | | | | history because you never know when a better |
| identity theft. | | | | score can save you time, money, and huge |
| | | | headaches! |
| Equifax, Experian and Transunion, all | | | | |