Archive for May, 2009

How To Get Your Free Credit Report

John Rasor asked:


current state of the economy, your credit report and credit score has become increasingly significant when it comes to borrowing money. Mortgage companies in particular, in an effort to reduce risk are scrutinizing credit scores to the point that getting a home loan is about as easy as building a rocket. We recently discovered that Fannie Mae has created a new set of guidelines regarding your credit score. If you have a score below 680 you will pay a higher rate on your mortgage. For the past decade they set the standard at 620. According to the credit bureaus, the average score is just below 680. What do you think is the most important factor in getting a home loan? Most people don\’t realize it, but your credit score tops the list as the most important factor. There are a few other things that you must have as well. A down payment is now mandatory. In the past you could have the seller pay all of your closing costs and get 100% financing meaning that you got in without a dime out of pocket. Not any more. You will also need verifiable income. Another big change from the days of \”stated income\” mortgages. It takes a combination of all three of these things but credit score carries the most weight. Beyond being approved for a mortgage loan, your credit score will determine the rate you get on a car loan, the interest rate you pay on credit card balances and which type of cards you qualify for. These days, it may just be the determining factor in why you don\’t get that car loan or credit card. Looking for job? Better hope you have a decent FICO score. These days potential employers are obtaining your score in an effort to predict what kind of worker you will be. Apartment managers and land lords will also use this number to gauge whether or not you will pay the rent on time. Getting your free credit report is actually quite simple. http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ will give you your report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion once each year. You will get access to everything contained in your credit report except the credit scores. This makes the service pretty useless. There isn\’t much benefit in getting your free credit report unless it comes with your credit scores. Everyone knows that nothing in life is free. It seems that there is a catch to everything these days. Through various affiliates of the credit bureaus you are able to obtain all three of your credit scores, but in order to do so you are required to enroll for a free 30-day trial of credit monitoring service and required to give your credit card number. If you choose to opt out within the trial period, you will not be charged. Technically, you just got a free credit report with credit scores. Most of these services allow you to obtain unlimited updates to your credit scores along with identity theft protection and various other valuable features. You\’ll be able to see who has been looking at your credit as well as get contact information for all of your creditors. If you haven\’t seen your credit scores lately, take the time soon to find out what they are.

Elizabeth
 

Free Credit Reports: Know Credit Status for Free

James Peter asked:


In the time of free market economies and globalization many people are engaged in business. The economies are moving towards the capitalism. In such a situation liquidity in market is available at large and many people are enjoying benefits of the available capital by taking credit. But it is equally important to keep a track of the credit reports as to get capital on credit. Free credit reports are very useful for everyone who has borrowed some credit.

Free credit reports consist of information like personally identifying information, public record information, credit information, and inquiries. Personally identifying information further holds information like name, current and previous addresses, social security number, year of birth, current and previous employers, and even marital status.

Free credit reports give you a proper track of the above stated information along with the details of your previous payments of the credit. This is a method that helps you in getting another credit since credit lenders gives you credit by checking all your details through your credit reports. Not only this a free credit reports assess you on your credit payments and assign you a credit score that marks your efficiency, smartness, trust and assigns your market value.

One must check free credit reports which are prepared by the three credit bureaus under the federal law namely Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This facility is available online also. One can check his due payments of credit and can keep on all other personal information. This way one can be protected by certain inaccuracies and threats like identity theft.

Free credit report is the major tool which helps you maintaining your credit score, helps you in getting further credit and helps you to protect the risk of falling in the legal action. It can also be used as a reminder for the credit payment.

Free credit reports is an invaluable tool which a person should use to stay away from any inaccuracy. It is the right way to keep in touch with your financial and credit status. You can asses your market credibility with it.



Marilyn
 

Is my employer supposed to be listed on my credit report?

Michelle asked:


I FINALLY got to see my free credit report online. (for some reason I haven’t been able to access it since 2005)

Anyhow, I signed up to compare info from the 3 main reporting places. In the “Current Employer” section, one has me listed as self employeed and the other two say nothing.

For “Previous Employer”, they are all three blank.

I don’t really expect my first few little jobs to count for anything. So I’m fine with there being nothing under “Previous Employer.” But I have been working over 3 years for the same company! Should I be worried that they aren’t listed as my “current employer” ?
Thanks. I didn’t know if they got info from my credit card and student loans or if it was supposed to come from my boss. – I didn’t want to be seen as unemployed when applying for something!

Rachel

 

Texas Free Credit Report

Jim McEwan asked:




Click Here to Get A Free Credit Report from Experian


A credit report is a record of an individual’s or company’s past borrowing and repaying, including information about late payments and bankruptcy. In Texas, when a customer fills out an application for credit from a bank, store or credit card company, their information is forwarded to a credit bureau. The credit bureau matches the name, address and other identifying information on the credit applicant with information retained by the bureau in its files. This information is used by lenders such as credit card companies to determine an individual’s credit worthiness; that is, determining an individual’s willingness to repay a debt. The willingness to repay a debt is indicated by how timely past payments have been made to other lenders. Lenders like to see consumer debt obligations paid on a monthly basis.

These factors help lenders determine whether to extend credit, and on what terms. With the adoption of risk-based pricing on almost all lending in the financial services industry, this report has become even more important since it is usually the sole element used to choose the annual percentage rate (APR), grace period and other contractual obligations of the credit card or loan.

For a limited time, Texas residents can get a free credit report from Experian to determine their credit score. This report will also help keep you safe from identity theft and is currently available to you free of charge. Don’t wait – this free credit report can save you thousands of dollars on internet payments, click on the link below to get your Texas free credit report now:

Texas Residents – Get Your Free Credit Report Now!

 



Rachel
 

Will putting a Fraud Alert on my credit have any long term adverse effects?

Amanda B asked:


I’m considering calling the big Three credit companies to place a fraud alert on my credit report, mainly to be opted out of pre-approved credit cards and loans and such. Besides making it harder to get a credit card/loan or whatever, would anyone know if there are any drawbacks to doing this? It’s free, lasts for 2 years, can be canceled, and at most, if I did want to open a credit card, I would just have to make an extra phone call or fill an extra form (not a big deal).

Edith
 

How to get free credit report to raise credit score?

Gen Wright asked:


e most essential things that you should work on is your credit score. It cannot be avoided though that sometimes we encounter problems with credit rating because of some situations we just cannot avoid. Thus, you have to look for ways on how you can raise credit score as fast as you can in order to save yourself from any further financial inconveniences. You can find many ways in order to resolve your problem regarding bad credit rating.

Here are a few foolproof ways to improve your credit scores that most people have found very useful:

1. Grab a copy of your own free annual Credit Report. You can get this free if you know where to look for it. Looking into your credit report can help you check for any inconsistency. Do you know how to get free credit report? The best agencies to get these reports for free are Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.

2. Study your credit report carefully. For all you know, you are having a bad credit rating because somebody in the credit bureaus made a mistake. For this reason, we should consider the possibility of credit bureaus committing mistakes when giving credit ratings to individuals. To make sure this is not going to happen to you, you need to analyze and check your credit reports well. Three bureaus that give these credit ratings are: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

3. Pay bills on or before the due date. This may sound too simple but this is actually the main reason on why bad credit scores are into existence. So if you aim to get a good credit rating, always try to make sure you pay your bills on time.

4. Never attempt to close your old accounts. Although some people would advice you to close previous accounts, it does not help in raising your credit score. Some say you should close it because it will increase your credit rating, while there are others who say we can increase it by keeping old accounts. The truth of the matter is, when you keep your old account, you have bigger credit available whereas if you close it, it will lower your credit and it will decrease your credit capacity.

If you want to get a good credit rating, you need to handle finances well. It is very important that you watch out for any activity that may cause your credit rating to go down. If at this time you are already having some issues with your finances then now would be a good time to start following these guidelines. This has always worked for a lot of people so it will certainly work on you, too.

And remember ? the first step on the way of new financial freedom is to get free annual credit report as soon as possible. Get one and review it again and again. If you are not sure of what to do, ask people. Ask a friend, a family member or someone who knows about credit reports. And in case there is something strange or unknown ask professionals. Do not allow lenders to reject your application any more. Do not be content with paying high bank fees. Take action to raise credit score immediately.

Wilma

 

how do i know what’s on my credit report?

buddahbump asked:


My husband of three years filed bankruptcy before he met me, is it on my credit??? How do I find out what is on my credit report… I have done a free credit check a few years ago, and now I can’t do it again unless I pay to have it checked… anything I can do to find out???

Beverly