Posts Tagged ‘Credit Cards’
Free Credit Score Report Without Credit Cards – Is It Possible?
January 16th, 2011 
Posted in Demo 
Tags: Credit Cards, Credit Report, Credit Score Report, Free Cards, Free Credit Score, Free Credit Score Report, Free Score, Report Cards, Score Cards 
Comments OffTips On How To Obtain A Free Credit Report Without A Credit Card
November 26th, 2010 
Tim Gorman asked:
Even though everyone in United States now has a right to obtain a free credit report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, there is still considerable doubt among consumers as to whether they can get a credit report without having a credit card.
In fact having a credit card is not required to get your credit report. Everyone is free to have a look at his financial records without any charge whatsoever once a year. This is mandated by law. However many (in fact almost all) of online credit report providers that offer free credit card reports use credit cards as a method to verify the identity. This is one of the main reasons for the confusion. Consumers should be wary of using such services and they must go through the small print.
In any case there is no need for a credit card to obtain your free credit report and you can bypass the need to go through other online sites when you can obtain the credit report from the legally mandated source site. All you have to do is to visit the central website maintained by the three main credit bureaus to provide the free credit reports according to the provisions of The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT). This website is named annualcreditreport.com and once you complete the form there, you can almost immediately see your credit report.
You will be asked for proof of identity but it will not be your credit card. You will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. If you have changed residence you will be asked to provide previous address. In addition the credit bureau from which you requested the report will ask you to answer a question, the answer to which only you may know. Questions may change from one bureau to another, but they will most likely comprise employment history, previous addresses or telephone numbers.
You can also request your free credit report through the toll free telephone number or through the mailing address provided by the three credit bureaus. Using that method you will get the report within 15 days of the request.
Federal Trade Commissions which mandated the law for receiving your annual credit report free of charge has given notice that only one website has the authority to provide your free annual credit report. That website is annualcreditreport.com. They also warn of other websites that offer free credit reports, but with the catch of having to signup for credit monitoring. It should be noted that the only true way of receiving your report without having to register for other services is to contact the credit bureaus directly. This is done either via the website, telephone or through postage mail.
Since you can request the credit report from each of the three credit bureaus annually you can space the requests out instead of requesting all three report at once. That way you will not have to wait 12 months for your next free credit report. Note, however, that the three bureaus have different sources for the information they include in their reports. Therefore, their credit reports for the same person tend to differ from each other.
William
Even though everyone in United States now has a right to obtain a free credit report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, there is still considerable doubt among consumers as to whether they can get a credit report without having a credit card.
In fact having a credit card is not required to get your credit report. Everyone is free to have a look at his financial records without any charge whatsoever once a year. This is mandated by law. However many (in fact almost all) of online credit report providers that offer free credit card reports use credit cards as a method to verify the identity. This is one of the main reasons for the confusion. Consumers should be wary of using such services and they must go through the small print.
In any case there is no need for a credit card to obtain your free credit report and you can bypass the need to go through other online sites when you can obtain the credit report from the legally mandated source site. All you have to do is to visit the central website maintained by the three main credit bureaus to provide the free credit reports according to the provisions of The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT). This website is named annualcreditreport.com and once you complete the form there, you can almost immediately see your credit report.
You will be asked for proof of identity but it will not be your credit card. You will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. If you have changed residence you will be asked to provide previous address. In addition the credit bureau from which you requested the report will ask you to answer a question, the answer to which only you may know. Questions may change from one bureau to another, but they will most likely comprise employment history, previous addresses or telephone numbers.
You can also request your free credit report through the toll free telephone number or through the mailing address provided by the three credit bureaus. Using that method you will get the report within 15 days of the request.
Federal Trade Commissions which mandated the law for receiving your annual credit report free of charge has given notice that only one website has the authority to provide your free annual credit report. That website is annualcreditreport.com. They also warn of other websites that offer free credit reports, but with the catch of having to signup for credit monitoring. It should be noted that the only true way of receiving your report without having to register for other services is to contact the credit bureaus directly. This is done either via the website, telephone or through postage mail.
Since you can request the credit report from each of the three credit bureaus annually you can space the requests out instead of requesting all three report at once. That way you will not have to wait 12 months for your next free credit report. Note, however, that the three bureaus have different sources for the information they include in their reports. Therefore, their credit reports for the same person tend to differ from each other.
William
Posted in Finance Tags: Accurate Credit, Credit Bureau, Credit Cards, Credit Equifax, Credit Transaction, Date Of Birth, Employment History, Experian, Fair And Accurate Credit Transaction Act, Free Credit Report Without A Credit Card, How To Obtain A Free Credit Report, Proof Of Identity, Question The Answer, Social Security Number, Three Main Credit Bureaus Comments OffDon’t Pay For Your Free Personal Credit Report
November 13th, 2010 
Tim Parker asked:
All over the Internet, advertised on TV and radio, and saturating magazines are reports for services that will help you obtain your free personal credit report. Here’s the bottom line: Although I don’t have personal experience with these services, if they are charging you fees, they are banking on the fact that you don’t know that you can get it for free.
As you probably know, you are entitled to view your free personal credit report from the three reporting agencies for free once every 12 months. Notice that I said, FOR FREE three times. You don’t have to pay anything if you view it online. It’s extremely easy to obtain but you don’t do it by going to one of those advertised sites. Instead you go to a site that isn’t advertised. It’s the official site to get your free credit report called Annualcreditreport.com.
The process is very easy. Go to the above site, select your state and answer the questions. Select all three credit reporting agencies and get each report. Make sure to print each report and go over it with a fine tooth comb. If you see any errors, go to each reporting agency’s website and follow the instructions to dispute the misinformation.
While you may be tempted to close out your unused credit cards that have been sitting idle, the credit experts recommend not closing these accounts. Apparently it is better for your credit score to keep these accounts open By closing your cards, it decreases the amount of credit available to you which increases your debt load. Also, keep track of your FICO score. Your FICO score is what qualifies you for a loan and sometimes a job.
The most important thing to take from this article is this: Do not pay for your FREE personal credit reports. It’s quick, it’s painless, and it’s free when you go to the site that is set up by the government.
Betty
All over the Internet, advertised on TV and radio, and saturating magazines are reports for services that will help you obtain your free personal credit report. Here’s the bottom line: Although I don’t have personal experience with these services, if they are charging you fees, they are banking on the fact that you don’t know that you can get it for free.
As you probably know, you are entitled to view your free personal credit report from the three reporting agencies for free once every 12 months. Notice that I said, FOR FREE three times. You don’t have to pay anything if you view it online. It’s extremely easy to obtain but you don’t do it by going to one of those advertised sites. Instead you go to a site that isn’t advertised. It’s the official site to get your free credit report called Annualcreditreport.com.
The process is very easy. Go to the above site, select your state and answer the questions. Select all three credit reporting agencies and get each report. Make sure to print each report and go over it with a fine tooth comb. If you see any errors, go to each reporting agency’s website and follow the instructions to dispute the misinformation.
While you may be tempted to close out your unused credit cards that have been sitting idle, the credit experts recommend not closing these accounts. Apparently it is better for your credit score to keep these accounts open By closing your cards, it decreases the amount of credit available to you which increases your debt load. Also, keep track of your FICO score. Your FICO score is what qualifies you for a loan and sometimes a job.
The most important thing to take from this article is this: Do not pay for your FREE personal credit reports. It’s quick, it’s painless, and it’s free when you go to the site that is set up by the government.
Betty
Posted in Finance Tags: 12 Months, Bottom Line, Credit Cards, Credit Experts, Credit Reporting Agencies, Credit Score, Debt Load, Fico Score, Free Personal, Misinformation, Personal Credit Reports, Personal Experience, Three Credit Reporting Agencies, Three Times, Tooth Comb Comments OffLaid off, eviction judgement and my credit accounts?
September 21st, 2010 
Z3 asked:
I was laid off my job four months ago. I have survived by taking money out of my savings and credit. My credit balances are not high but no cash advances are available for rent payments. I talked with my landlord three months ago about being laid off and being concerned I would not be able to complete my lease. He was rude and told me I would be evicted and a judgement placed on my credit report if I didn’t pay my rent. So, I now have no money and no choice but to move-out and live with my brother. How will an eviction judgement affect my credit cards and credit report which is in good standing. No lates, always paid using my savings and un-employment. Will my credit be ruined? Will my cards be cancelled?
Vera
I was laid off my job four months ago. I have survived by taking money out of my savings and credit. My credit balances are not high but no cash advances are available for rent payments. I talked with my landlord three months ago about being laid off and being concerned I would not be able to complete my lease. He was rude and told me I would be evicted and a judgement placed on my credit report if I didn’t pay my rent. So, I now have no money and no choice but to move-out and live with my brother. How will an eviction judgement affect my credit cards and credit report which is in good standing. No lates, always paid using my savings and un-employment. Will my credit be ruined? Will my cards be cancelled?
Vera
Posted in Credit Tags: Brother, Cards Credit, Cash Advances, Credit Accounts, Credit Balances, Credit Cards, Credit Report, Four Months, Job, Judgement, Landlord, Money Savings, Rent, Three Months, Un Employment 1 Comment »Store Credit Card Fraud Policies?
July 17th, 2010 
Chris M asked:
I had three credit cards stolen today. The scum bags managed to make over $3,000 in purchases in a span of 1 hour. Luckily, after speaking with the credit card companies, the cards have been cancelled and I won’t be responsible for the charges (so they say) after I file a dispute affadavit and provide the police report.
I had three credit cards stolen today. The scum bags managed to make over $3,000 in purchases in a span of 1 hour. Luckily, after speaking with the credit card companies, the cards have been cancelled and I won’t be responsible for the charges (so they say) after I file a dispute affadavit and provide the police report.
What infuriates me is that:
1. One of the purchases was for $2,200 at Best Buy. Is is that hard for the cashier to ask for ID when someone makes a huge purchase like this?
2. At Toys R Us, Two of the cards had been blocked for suspicious activity after they tried to make a $550 purchase. They then charged it to the 3rd card. Again, is it that hard for the cashier to ask for ID especially after the first two cards were blocked.
3. The scum bags went to Target and tried to make additional charges. ALL THREE CARDS were blocked. (Also questioning the intelligence of the thieves to try using the two cards that had been declined at Toys R Us)It doesn’t take a rocket scientist here to see a red flag here. The cashier should have asked for ID after they tried using all 3 cards!
Now i can see how maybe a dumb cashier might not ask for ID in the first two instances… but when someone has 3 cards come up as blocked… shouldn’t they be required to at least ask for ID?
I am so infuriated by all three stores lack of effort to at least ask for ID especially in the Toys R Us and Target instances.
Do I have a right to go to the stores and complain/yell at the manager or would that be out of line? Seriously, stores have to have guidelines for cashiers especially when multiple cards are blocked.
Jared – Not that I ever wish anything bad to happen to anyone… but we’ll see who is a comedian if someone ever steals your credit cards.
Moon – The thief or thieves broke into several gym lockers of various people that were padlocked. It’s hard to be more careful when someone decides to cut into a Masterlock.
KDS – I’m glad there are people like you who will at least take the extra second to possibly prevent this from happening to other people.
Gladys
Posted in Credit Tags: Affadavit, Cashier, Cashiers, Credit Card Fraud, Credit Cards, Gym Lockers, Masterlock, Police Report, Rocket Scientist, Scum Bags, Suspicious Activity, Thief, Thieves, Toys R Us, Yell 5 Comments »Will paying a settlement offer affect my credit score as much as paying the whole amount?
July 3rd, 2010 
giantsfan133 asked:
I’m trying to clean up my credit that I screwed up when I was younger. I had a few credit cards that I stopped paying completely and were in collections. I contacted the credit agencies and asked about having them deleted from my credit report, which they said was illegal. I negotiated settlements for three of them so far and I have one more to pay off. I am wondering if accepting a settlement instead of paying the account in full will affect my credit score differently? Would my credit score have gone up higher if I paid the whole balance off? Should I pay the final one off in full, or should I pay a settlement? The three I paid were for $300 (paid 150), $477 (paid 400), and $643 (paid 500). The final is for $693.
Leslie
I’m trying to clean up my credit that I screwed up when I was younger. I had a few credit cards that I stopped paying completely and were in collections. I contacted the credit agencies and asked about having them deleted from my credit report, which they said was illegal. I negotiated settlements for three of them so far and I have one more to pay off. I am wondering if accepting a settlement instead of paying the account in full will affect my credit score differently? Would my credit score have gone up higher if I paid the whole balance off? Should I pay the final one off in full, or should I pay a settlement? The three I paid were for $300 (paid 150), $477 (paid 400), and $643 (paid 500). The final is for $693.
Leslie
Posted in Credit Tags: Collections Agencies, Credit Agencies, Credit Cards, Credit Report, Credit Score 4 Comments »How improve my credit score?
June 26th, 2010 
BeBop asked:
I have a credit scroe of 532, when i first ordered my credit report, i had my college which is deferred until i finish school, and three collection accounts, i cleared one up because it did not belong to me, then the other one i payed it and it came off my account, and the third one i am paying it off in january. How can i improve my credit score?
I have a credit scroe of 532, when i first ordered my credit report, i had my college which is deferred until i finish school, and three collection accounts, i cleared one up because it did not belong to me, then the other one i payed it and it came off my account, and the third one i am paying it off in january. How can i improve my credit score?
I did try to get a gas card but it got denied, I do not think i can open any kidns of credit cards or anything it get denied…
What are ways to improve my score?
Also i live by by myself with my sister.
Jane
Is it illegal to use someone’s credit card if they give you permission?
May 24th, 2010 
Drew C asked:
So I was in a relationship but not technically married at the time these credit cards were issued. But we had three credit cards and two of them we had around a $15,000 limit and I was added by my partner as an additional credit card holder, so I had two cards in my name also. We had a third credit card that was only in her name but it just had a $1300 limit and she gave me that one to use as my business card. She gave me permission to use it and we were making payments on it every month but I was the one sending in the payments since it was my charges and I was responsible for paying back. Well we got legally married 6 months ago and we are now getting divorced and things are getting nasty. She told me that I had to pay the full $1300 off immediately or else she was going to report it as fraud/identity theft and claim she never new about this card. I was going to pay it all off because I did not want to deal with the police…then she came to me and said that since she was going to file bankruptcy that she was advised not to pay any of her credit cards…she then said if I gave her $600 cash she would not report it as “Fruad” – well I don’t want to deal with the police and they are my charges so I gave her cash….then a few days later she gets even more bitter and now she’s filed a police report and I got a call from the police yesterday (I missed the call).
So I was in a relationship but not technically married at the time these credit cards were issued. But we had three credit cards and two of them we had around a $15,000 limit and I was added by my partner as an additional credit card holder, so I had two cards in my name also. We had a third credit card that was only in her name but it just had a $1300 limit and she gave me that one to use as my business card. She gave me permission to use it and we were making payments on it every month but I was the one sending in the payments since it was my charges and I was responsible for paying back. Well we got legally married 6 months ago and we are now getting divorced and things are getting nasty. She told me that I had to pay the full $1300 off immediately or else she was going to report it as fraud/identity theft and claim she never new about this card. I was going to pay it all off because I did not want to deal with the police…then she came to me and said that since she was going to file bankruptcy that she was advised not to pay any of her credit cards…she then said if I gave her $600 cash she would not report it as “Fruad” – well I don’t want to deal with the police and they are my charges so I gave her cash….then a few days later she gets even more bitter and now she’s filed a police report and I got a call from the police yesterday (I missed the call).
My question is what can I do? The bill and every thing they sent came to our house and PO Box for almost two years…payments were being made…she even gave me money to make some of the payments! What can I do? Is it my word against hers now? Is this illegal if I had permission?? Thanks!
Joan
Credit score down 50pts in 2 months with NO LATES. Why?
May 24th, 2010 
BunnyMoon asked:
Are credit companies tightening their belts and re-evaluating people on a new scale or something? I just ordered my credit report and I have NO LATES in more than two years.. I also pay off all my credit cards in full and my husband has no lates on his either.. There are no high balances, I haven’t opened any new accounts or closed any.. There’s no suspicious activity or anything. My credit used to suck after I got out of college, but since I’ve been married the past three years, everything was good, paid and on time. It went from about 450 when I started to 655 in December.. Then last month it went down to 630′s and this week down to 600′s.. WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?
I should also say, I’m not a co-signer on anything, I don’t have a mortgage, student loans, a car loan or anything like that. Everything I have is paid off and I just use my credit cards for small things during the month and pay off before the due date, usually 100% in full.
Are credit companies tightening their belts and re-evaluating people on a new scale or something? I just ordered my credit report and I have NO LATES in more than two years.. I also pay off all my credit cards in full and my husband has no lates on his either.. There are no high balances, I haven’t opened any new accounts or closed any.. There’s no suspicious activity or anything. My credit used to suck after I got out of college, but since I’ve been married the past three years, everything was good, paid and on time. It went from about 450 when I started to 655 in December.. Then last month it went down to 630′s and this week down to 600′s.. WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?
I should also say, I’m not a co-signer on anything, I don’t have a mortgage, student loans, a car loan or anything like that. Everything I have is paid off and I just use my credit cards for small things during the month and pay off before the due date, usually 100% in full.
I’m really baffled. My husband has excellent credit, but not too much income and I was hoping to boost my credit to use our combined incomes when buying a house in the next year or two. Due to this recent blow, that’s probably not going to happen. 
Help/advice appreciated!!
P.S. I already checked my credit report. Like I said, no suspicious/unauthorized activity. I do have some debt on medical issues, but they are not on my credit report or reported yet, and they are in dispute with insurance.. I really don’t know why this is happening after working so hard to fix it by being responsible.. I feel so upset!!
Marion
How to raise credit score with credit cards?
October 25th, 2009 
Credit curious asked:
Is it wise to decrease your credit limits on credit cards that are seldom/never used? I know not to close the accounts because it will hurt my credit score, but if I just lower my credit limit, as long as I am still under the magic 10-30% usage of my total credit limit, can that actually help? I have heard that having too much credit can be considered a negative. I am hoping to purchase a home within the next 6-8 months and I am trying to do what ever I can to increase my chances of a good mortgage rate. BTW, I have done the free credit reports, and everything is correct. I have paid off most of my credit debt over the last year, and I am currently at about 15% of my total credit limit. I do have too many credit cards (6), but I am afraid to close them outright. Of those six credit accounts, three are completely paid off and never used, the one I regularly use is paid off every two weeks, one should be paid off completely in a month, and the other is getting paid off before I start filling out mortgage applications. I also have student loans, and a car loan that I am currently paying off as well. Sorry if this is too much information, but I want anyone who can give me an answer to have the full picture. Any help is appreciated.
Ron
Is it wise to decrease your credit limits on credit cards that are seldom/never used? I know not to close the accounts because it will hurt my credit score, but if I just lower my credit limit, as long as I am still under the magic 10-30% usage of my total credit limit, can that actually help? I have heard that having too much credit can be considered a negative. I am hoping to purchase a home within the next 6-8 months and I am trying to do what ever I can to increase my chances of a good mortgage rate. BTW, I have done the free credit reports, and everything is correct. I have paid off most of my credit debt over the last year, and I am currently at about 15% of my total credit limit. I do have too many credit cards (6), but I am afraid to close them outright. Of those six credit accounts, three are completely paid off and never used, the one I regularly use is paid off every two weeks, one should be paid off completely in a month, and the other is getting paid off before I start filling out mortgage applications. I also have student loans, and a car loan that I am currently paying off as well. Sorry if this is too much information, but I want anyone who can give me an answer to have the full picture. Any help is appreciated.
Ron