Monday, December 9, 2013

Have A Credit Score In Need Of Repair? Try These Tips

By Dan Annweiler


Having poor credit can be a serious hindrance to moving forward with your life. Instead of getting that house or that job, you are left sitting with a refusal and a copy of your credit report. However, it is possible to fix your current credit problems and take steps to protect your future credit rating.

Keep your credit card balances below 50 percent of your credit limit. You should keep your balances under fifty percent; anything over this and you can lower your credit rating, so spread out the money you own and pay down your credit cards.

You may be able to get a secured credit card even if your poor credit has prevented you from getting other credit cards. The account is funded in advance, which provides the lender with a level of insurance against unpaid debts. This is why secured cards are often easier to get. If you open a credit card account, keep charges fairly low, and pay it on time, this will go towards improving your credit score.

If you can afford to pay another monthly bill, an installment account paid on time will increase your credit rating. You have to keep a monthly minimum on an installment account, so make sure you open an account that you can afford. By successfully handling the installment account, you will help to improve your credit rating.

Your interest rate will be lower if you have a good credit score. Lower interest rates make paying bills easier, and prevents you from incurring debt. Compare offers and choose the best interest rate you can find when borrowing money or subscribing to a credit card.

Put the spending brakes on yourself by lowering your credit limit on all of your cards. It will help to keep spending under control, and also sends a positive message to potential lenders. This means you might have a better opportunity of obtaining necessary loans in the future.

You need to carefully scrutinize credit counselors before you consult them for help with repairing your credit. There are a lot of unscrupulous agencies scattered in among the few legitimate credit counselors that are really there to help you. You'll find that other ones are just scams. A savvy consumer will always do his or her research on any credit counseling service to ensure that the agency is legitimate.

The first step in credit score repair is to close all but one of your credit accounts as soon as possible. It is important to make small payments or transfer a balance to the open account. This can help you avoid paying down smaller balances and focus on paying one card off.

Check any negative items on your reports carefully when you begin fixing your credit. Even if the item itself is correct, any small mistake in the item, such as an inaccurate date or amount, may let you have the whole thing taken off your credit report.

When you start fixing your credit, pay down balances on the credit cards as soon as you can. First work on the cards with the steepest balances or interest rates. This can prove to creditors that you are serious about paying down your debt.

Stop living beyond your means. This will require a change in your thinking. In the not too distant past, credit was easy and people could stretch themselves too far, but now the economy is paying the price of those days. Take a realistic look at your financial situation and determine how much you can actually spend.

One of the most stressful aspects of handling bad credit is dealing with debt collection agencies. A consumer has the legal option of using cease and desist letters to dissuade collection agencies, but it is vital to keep in mind that C&D letters only stop harassment. You may be able to stop the deluge of calls from a collection agency, but the debt must still be dealt with.

Avoid bankruptcy at all costs. Bankruptcy can make getting credit almost impossible for many years. Although it seems like the wise thing to do at the time, it will bring you negative consequences in the long run. Bankruptcy destroys your ability to get any sort of loan for at least a few years, so don't file unless you have to.

Overwhelming issues occur when you have multiple debts you can't pay. Divide your money between your creditors so every one gets paid. Making the minimum payments will, at least, avoid ending up with collection agencies.

Doing so can help to keep good credit. Every time you pay late it is put on your credit report and will hurt you if you ever need a loan taken out.

Hopefully, this information can assist you. While fixing your credit might seem like an uphill battle, once you follow this advice, you will have the chance to regain your credit. It will take some time and effort. You will be rewarded if you prove to be persistent in your ways.




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