It doesn’t matter whether you fell victim to people giving out free credit cards, spent too much money or was hit very hard with the recession. Chances are that your credit has been damaged. Fortunately, there are actions you can partake to reverse this.
Any company or credit counselor that claims they can erase all negative reports from your credit history should be viewed with some skepticism. These things are, generally, on your record for seven years. Items that you can get taken off your record are those that have been reported incorrectly or unfairly.
When you are trying to fix your credit record, call your creditors and make payment arrangements that will benefit both of you. By keeping the lines of communication open, you will avoid getting into more debt, making your credit score even worse. Some of your options include negotiating for a later due date, and asking for reductions in your minimum monthly payments.
Avoid credit schemes that will get you in trouble. Creating a new credit score or using a different identity seem like easy solutions but bad credit is not worth taking this kind of risks. Needless to say, this is against the law and you are likely to get caught. Legal ramifications can cost a lot, and you may go to jail.
Give the credit card companies a call and find out if they will lower your credit limit. This will prevent overextending yourself and lets the company know about your responsible borrowing habits. You could get credit easier in the future.
Before you decide to go through with a debt settlement, you should be sure you know how it will affect your credit. Do some heavy researching before starting an agreement with any creditor; there are other options that may not damage your credit score as heavily. Remember creditors want their money. They really don’t care about your credit scores. That is up to you to protect.
If you find a mistake on your credit report, be sure to dispute it! Gather your support documents, make a list of the errors, and compose a letter to pertinent agencies. Send any correspondence by recorded mail to ensure proof of receipt by the agency.
Credit Card
Check your credit card statement each month and make sure there aren’t any discrepancies. If you notice unwarranted fees or surcharges, contact the credit card company to avoid being reported for failure to pay.
Begin the process of credit score repair by trying to pay down your credit card balances as fast as you can. Pay down credit cards that have the highest amount owed, or the highest interest rates. This helps creditors realize that you are using credit cards wisely.
You need to read and understand the credit card statements you receive in the mail. Check to be sure that you actually purchased the things that are listed on your statement, so that you are only paying for things you bought. You are the only person that is responsible for making sure the statements are error free.
You should locate a good credit score repair company to help you. The credit improvement business has a lot of unfair and shady companies. Unfortunately, there have been quite a few people who have been scammed by these companies. By reading user reviews online, you will be able to separate the good from the bad.
It is obviously somewhat difficult to let derogatory marks stand undefended, but the evidence suggests most lenders don’t use those statements in determining creditworthiness. The basic reason for bad marks on credit is simple. You did not pay something you were supposed to pay. Lenders are often discouraged by people that make excuses for bad credit.
Credit cards should be avoided. Pay for everything with cold, hard cash. When you find credit card spending unavoidable, pay down your balance immediately.
With some instruction and some hard work you can help your credit get back where it needs to be, so don’t be fooled by how hard it may seem. Apply the advice from this article to start your march toward better credit score days.