Free Annual Credit Report Tips

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!

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Did you know a review of your free annual credit report can save you thousands upon thousands of dollars? That is a staggering thought in itself; don't you agree? But there is something worse; that can be happening to you. Your personal reputation and good credit could be ruined forever. You can lose your personal reputation and thousands of dollars if you don't know someone stole your identity. The following tips will help to keep this from happening to you.

Identity theft has become an illegal enterprise which has profited the thieves to hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars a year. One of the main reasons it has become so profitable is that people, just like you, have no idea their identity has been stolen. The first way you may find out about it is when the following scenario’s or something similar happen to you.

One evening you and your family are setting in the family room watching a little TV and relaxing. Suddenly you get a phone call from a mortgage company, which you know nothing about, wanting 90 days of back mortgage payments. As you’re standing there in confusion and disbelief this guy is telling you, if you don't pay, legal action will be taken.

If not that scenario, then perhaps you get a credit card bill for a credit card you have never seen. You open the bill and there is $5000.00 worth of charges for electronics charged against your name. It also shows you are more than 60 days delinquent in payments. It is mind numbing and debasing to you and your family. Your first thoughts are how could this happen?

Chances are if this happens to you it is because your personal identity has been stolen. This thief has used your social security number, your driver’s license number, date of birth and other personal information to get approved for the credit card or loan. The many ways this can be done are beyond the scope of this article. However, there is a way you could have been alerted much sooner and perhaps shut it down before all the damage was done.

In July of 2005, the Federal Government of the United States, passed legislation that gave every citizen in the United States, including you, to be able to get a copy of their free annual credit report. All you have to do is go on-line, write or call and request a free copy from the following 3 major credit reporting agencies:

1. Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/home/  Phone:  1-800-525-6285
2. Experian: http://www.experian.com/   Phone: 1-888-397-3742
3. TransUnion: http://www.transunion.com/ Phone: 1-800-680-7289

Not only can you get your free copy of your credit report, each of these credit reporting agencies, have other programs which can help you. In case of Identity theft they have free information on how to repair your credit report. They offer 24 hour monitoring of your credit report. In addition they provide other programs which can help keep your credit rating safe.

For instance you can put a freeze on your credit report. This prevents anyone from checking your credit without your express approval. However, just for your information a freeze can also slow down the process when you apply for new credit.

As you can see, by learning about your free annual credit report, you have other services from the Big 3 which can help protect you. If you suspect fraud, identity theft and are suddenly getting approved for credit cards and other loans; it's time to grab your free annual credit report.

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!

  

Debt Consolidation Loans and Bad Credit - The Truth

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!

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Debt consolidation loans bad credit is the cry heard more and more in today’s financial news? Have you become one of those borrowers who have found it extremely difficult to consolidate your outstanding debt because of bad credit? If you are the information contained here will give you a light at the end of the tunnel.

You like so many others in today’s world of instant gratification many have fallen into the biggest nightmare of all. Your credit was so good, 5 or more credit card companies’ extened more than $50, 000 in credit lines to you. Before you knew it you had maxed the cards out and borrowed on the equity of your home to try and pay them off.

When that didn't work you fell behind on all your bills including your house note. Within six months you had gone from a credit score of 725 to a low of 595. Which means you will now have difficulty getting any type of loan because of bad credit.

However, this doesn't mean all hope is lost. It means you are going to have work a little harder to find companies that will help you reorganize your debt. This is the only way you will be able to get debt relief and start rebuilding your credit.

There are financial organizations which specialize in debt consolidation loans bad credit applications. However, there are some drawbacks to working with these companies. Because of your bad credit history you are considered to be in a high risk category for payback of the loan or loans.

Many of these companies will take the risk of loaning you the money, but you are going to pay out the nose for the interest. On top of the interest you may have an upfront application fee, plus other fees buried in the fine print of the loan. The end result being you will end up paying back more money, to these lenders, than what you would have paying back your debts originally.

You need to understand not all of these companies are out to rip you off. Many of them are perfectly legitimate financial institutions which work with folks like you; with a history of bad credit.

When working with a good company, you may have to agree to pay a higher rate, but one that is much lower than the rates being charged by the credit card companies. In addition some these better companies will require you to undergo financial counseling. The purpose of this being to get you the necessary tools you need to keep from getting into trouble again with your credit.

These good companies want you to succeed in your plan to reorganize your debt. They will do everything they can to help you get your finances squared away. As you continue to work with them over a period of time you will see your credit score start to come back up.

You can recover from the strangle hold that bad credit and mind numbing debt have on you. It means you will have to work hander to find a debt consolidation loans bad credit company to work with you. However, if it puts you on the road to debt recovery and a positive credit history it will be worth all the extra work and cost.

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!

How To Profit With Your Business Credit Report

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!

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As a small business person one of the most important assets you have is your Business Credit Report? Along with your own personal character and a good credit report you can just about name your own ticket in your local community. Furthermore it can help you expand you business to the far reaches of the world. This article will give you some ideas of how important your credit report is to your profit.

As an astute business person you know you have to have to contact new customers. In a lot of cases when you do the new customers want to know how reliable you are. Not only will they be looking for personal references but they want to know you are sound financially.

They may ask you to furnish credit references and other information about you and your company. Many times these new customers will use your business and personal credit report, to verify your financial stability and personal character. By chance, if you happen to have reports of outstanding debt, which has been unpaid or public judgments for failure to finish projects, your chances of landing this new customer or slim next to none.

Not only can the above circumstances affect your ability to grow your business, it may prevent you from obtaining proper business insurance. In many cases you may have to a large umbrella policy for liability, before you can bid on certain jobs or actually perform the job function. In today’s modern society you and your company can be sued for any and everything.

Without a proper credit rating, as reflected by your business or personal credit report, you may be refused insurance all together. If you are insured you may be considered a higher risk and end up having to pay an outrages premium. Whereas with a good business credit report the insurance companies may look very favorably upon giving you a large discount off the premium.

One of the most lucrative forms of business for a small business is government contracts. Once again your personal and business report will be verified. This becomes especially important if your company and you are required to have a security clearance in order just to bid on the project. A reflection of bad credit on your credit report can stop a security clearance or other government contracts dead in the water.

However, with your outstanding credit and personal character, because you are a small business owner you can have a leg up on the larger companies. The reason for this is the Federal government; of the United States has special preference programs for the small business owners. This means you may be able to add another stream of income to your bottom line. Once again you can see how your credit report can help make you profit.

Here is a little tip that can help you keep your business credit report looking good and help your cash flow at the same time. Most companies, when they extend credit, will give favorable repayment terms to your small business, provided your credit worthy. If the term is Invoice Net 10 days, most companies will not report you as long as you get the invoice paid before 30 days are up.

If you are in a cash flow crunch, have your bookkeeper set up to pay the invoice before the 30th of the month. Make sure the bookkeeper allows enough time for the mail. This tip should only be used discreetly and infrequently. Otherwise you will get a reputation of using your vendors to finance your business operations for 30 days.

There is a drawback to this kind of credit repayment. Many of your vendors now will start calculating a late fee and interest payments as soon as the 10 days is up. So instead of enhancing your cash flow it can further deplete it.

You as an ethical business person have the responsibility of keeping your debts paid and on time. When you do this you have seen how your business credit report can be a profit center for you.

From the archives of the Repair That Credit collection. Visit RepairThatCredit.com to find out how YOU can clear your credit file, and get the credit you deserve!