|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have a bad credit rating, then you might find that your ability to get financing, loans, and even some jobs is greatly diminished.
Once you have a bad credit rating, it might seem like there's nothing that you can do about it? but you don't have to believe that. It's not as difficult as you might think to get by with a bad credit rating; with a little work and time you can even repair it! Of course, before you do that it's important to realize exactly what a credit rating is.
Every time a lender or other creditor makes a report concerning your payment history to them, this report affects your credit score.
Your credit score is a numerical indication of the positive and negative reports that you've received from creditors and lenders; if the number is high then you have a good credit rating, and if it's low then you have a bad credit rating.
Basic credit repair
Get organized! Make a folder for all your correspondence offline and online. You will have to do some snail mailing but in most cases you can work your repair online.
In the U.S. a 630 rating will qualify you for a mortgage. You can still get credit with a lower score but not at a premium interest rate.
In fact, even a chapter 11 bankruptcy (erases all negative credit) is not as bad as many think. I am not advocating filing for bankruptcy (the laws have changed so you might have to set up a re-payment schedule if your income allows) but for those caught between a rock and hard place, unemployment, medical crisis, divorce...many good reasons for finding yourself unable to pay your bills, filing for bankruptcy is a god-send.
Many times, you will find creditors very eager to extend credit because you don't have any debts! It is the irony of the debt-income picture... if you have a steady income, you will have no problem getting credit cards, auto loans and even a mortgage.
So, don't despair, your situation is not as bad as you think! You will find a way to less worry, more sleep and better relationships.
To begin correcting your credit, the important thing to do is obtain your credit report and study it. Mark all the negative items.
Most unsecured credit, mostly credit cards, can stay on your report for 7 years. If you find any over that, write to the credit bureau and ask them to remove it. They are required by law to research and report back within 30 days.
If they don't, you can threaten them with a letter to the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission.
Find any other negative items and determine if they are correct. If not, write the bureau and tell them its not your debt.
Even if you aren't sure, ask the credit bureaus to investigate. Many times, they will not be able to verify the debt because the credit card company, auto loan company, or other creditor won't get back them within 30 days (required by Fair Credit Act).
For the contact information on credit bureaus as well as samples of letters to send to them, go to:
http://www.repair-credit-right.com
You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:
Dan Farrell is the owner of Repair Your Credit...The Right Way and this article on credit repair and others on credit can be found by going to:
Credit Repair
Let's face it, having credit is no longer a choice.... Read More
For those of us who know how to use them... Read More
Everywhere we go, the word credit can be found, shining... Read More
His hard earned money? Gone. Creditors on his back everyday.... Read More
The most important thing for you to remember is that... Read More
Whether you have no credit or damaged credit, secured credit... Read More
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, signed into law... Read More
FACTA stands for Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. FACTA... Read More
Creditors will measure your credit rating based on the following... Read More
There are so many credit cards out there to choose... Read More
1. Deleting Errors in 48 HoursThis is the absolute fastest... Read More
Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards,... Read More
The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designated to... Read More
Credit card companies want your business. After all, lending money... Read More
There is a big difference between looking after your own... Read More
Credit repair, is in a word, vital to reestablishing your... Read More
Most of us want a good credit report to obtain... Read More
There are seven consumer credit laws you should be aware... Read More
One of the great mysteries of life is how the... Read More
Imagine...obtaining credit that's incredibly easy...opening doors of opportunity you never... Read More
Ok, let's face it, everybody hates high credit card rates,... Read More
It is estimated that billions of dollars in delinquent commercial... Read More
When you buy real estate, lenders run all of the... Read More
A good credit reward card can contribute to your retirement... Read More
#1 Make sure mistakes aren't hurting your credit.Reviewing your credit... Read More
Using a credit card wisely is an important step in... Read More
Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds... Read More
The recent security breach at credit card processor CardSystems Solutions... Read More
With interest rates rising, low or zero percent credit cards... Read More
Do you know the difference between good and bad credit... Read More
Mark and Beth, a young married couple in their twenties,... Read More
TURBO-CHARGED KILLER RATE SAVING INFORMATION!Let's just take a brief moment... Read More
Before you take out a home loan or make any... Read More
Ever wonder how a creditor decides whether to grant you... Read More
Online car finance is convenient. You can apply over the... Read More
Identity theft has become an epidemic. Millions and millions of... Read More
Having a credit card is a wonderful convenience for those... Read More
Rewards cards have become the latest rage in the credit... Read More
The next time you open your credit card statement, take... Read More
There's only one way to discover the "health" of your... Read More
I didn't think it was possible. But it is. Folks,... Read More
If you have ever fallen behind on your debts you... Read More
Chances are you have received your share of "pre-approved" credit... Read More
A lot of people spend more money than they can... Read More
Do you know why you should check your credit report?Of... Read More
Understanding credit report scores is important when you see your... Read More
What is Credit? Credit is money granted by a lender... Read More
In "Become the Squeaky Wheel" a book recently published, Michelle... Read More
A good credit reward card can contribute to your retirement... Read More
The average American knows very little about bankruptcy. Most people... Read More