Many people end up with bad credit scores because of the job market or simply the cost of living. You can use the information that is provided in this article to get a better credit score.
Credit Card
If your credit history has put you in the position where you are not able to obtain a regular credit card, you should try to get a secured credit card to begin rebuilding your credit. 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. Responsible use of a credit card can help rebuild your credit.
You can easily get a mortgage if you have a high credit score. Paying down your mortgage improves your score as well. Owning a home provides financial stability which is backed by your asset, the home, and as such, results in great credit. Having a home also makes you a safer credit risk when you are applying for loans.
An installment account is a great way to increase your credit score. It is necessary to at least pay the minimum, so insure the account is something that you can pay. If you use one of these types of accounts, your score will quickly improve.
Interest Rate
If you find that you have a credit card and the interest rate has gotten to high, you do have the option to not pay the debt, though there will be consequences. When a creditor hits you with incredibly high interest rates, you may have a case for negotiating to a lower amount. However, you have entered into a legal agreement that requires you to pay accrued interest. It is possible that you can sue a creditor and claim that the interest rate charged is unreasonably high.
To start fixing your credit, you will have to pay your bills. You need to pay your bills off on time; this is very important. Your credit rating will quickly rise as you settle up your overdue bills.
Some sound advice to follow, is to be sure to take the time to contact your credit card company and work with them. This prevents you from sinking further into debt or further damaging your credit score. Some of your options include negotiating for a later due date, and asking for reductions in your minimum monthly payments.
Before consulting a counselor for credit repair, do your research. While there are lots of counselors with your best interest at heart, there are others who just want your money. Other programs, while they sound good, are complete and total scams. To help protect yourself from fraud, investigate any credit counselors. One way to check an agency out is to check with the Better Business Bureau.
Credit Card
Give your credit card company a call and ask them to lower your credit limit. This is likely to keep you from overusing credit, which can be a financial burden. It also lets credit card companies know that you are responsible, and this makes them more likely to extend credit to you as time goes on.
If you notice credit reporting errors, always file a dispute. Gather all supporting documents and any errors you find, and send them with a letter to the credit reporting agencies. Make sure that you send the letter via recorded delivery, so that you can prove that the credit agency receives it.
Close all your credit cards except for one as a means of repairing your credit. You should plan on how you will pay the remaining open balances, or how to consolidate them into one account. In this manner, you can take care of all your credit card debt by paying down a single balance.
Be certain to get any credit repayment plan in writing. Any plan that you agree on should be put in writing and signed by both parties to protect you in the future. When you pay it off, send a written copy of proof of payment to all three credit reporting agencies.
Don’t use credit cards a lot. Pay for everything with cold, hard cash. Pay off any credit card purchases immediately.
Debt collectors hounding you can be very stressful. Remember that when dealing with harassing collection agencies, consumers have the option to issue a cease and desist letter to stop the harassment. This doesn’t let the customer off the hook for the debt, it merely stops the threatening calls.
When you are involved in a credit crunch, you have many debts but not enough money to pay them. Take out a little money for each one of the creditors that you owe. Even if it’s only minimum payments, send as much as you can to each creditor in order to avoid them sending your account off to collection agencies.
Building your credit back up is the number one way to fix a bad credit score. Prepaid credit cards make for a simple way to build up your credit, because there’s no risk of late payments or over drafting which can cause negative marks on your score. Lenders look favorably towards you when you faithfully pay your bills on time.
Do not open more lines of credit that you can afford. Fight the overwhelming urge to say yes to a new credit card when it is offered to you at store checkouts, even if there is a large discount offered. Credit scores typically drop when new credit is opened.
Credit Score
Use these tips to establish a plan of action for your credit score. Don’t let your credit score ruin your life; instead use this information to begin repairing the damage.
