Archive for June, 2010

Credit Score Repair – Help With Improving A Poor Credit Rating

Monday, June 7th, 2010

It is the truth that many citizens are faced with the complex mission of repairing their credit. They maxed out on their credit cards and have to make an extra effort to restore late payments reports. Restoring their credit isn’t as complicated as most people might assume. It can be done in a reasonable amount of time.

Get a copy of your credit report from either one or all three of the major credit reporting agencies. The big three are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. They can be found easily on the Internet and will provide you with your credit report.

The FACT Act that was passed by Congress permits all consumers one free copy of their credit report per year to find out credit score. You will need to visit different websites for more information. Sometimes one of the agencies will provide you with one report for free, but you are best off to visit Get Credit Healthy.

You will really need to obtain copies of all three credit reports if you are serious about your credit restoration. Credit card companies and other creditors will just report to one of the reporting agencies since they are not required to report to any of them. The first step to repair your credit rating is to obtain all three credit reports.

Additional tips to improve your credit rating: Lending companies look at your credit score as a way to consider your credit worthiness. Make all of your liabilities on time and your credit rating will rise. You will most likely have problems in getting new credit if your credit score is too low.

Creditors also look at your income, your current debt status, the amount of credit you have available to you, and how you make your monthly payments. You will keep you credit score at an average or above average level by paying in a timely manner. If you have had credit problems in the past, you may want to make an extra attempt to fix your credit and improve your credit rating.

Your future and your financial stability and capacity significantly depend to a large extent on your credit report and your credit score. Get a copy of your credit report each year to make ensure that the information is accurate and that your accounts are listed correctly. Your credit score is a significant component of your life and you should make an effort to maintain it as good as possible.

Elizabeth Karwowski is the founder of Get Credit Healthy. She has designed a 7-Step program to get you back to Credit Health. The program includes a personalized and inclusive credit analysis (Credit Health Report), as well as personal guidance by one of their FCRA and FICO certified Credit Wellness Advisors, who educate you for obtaining true and sustainable credit health for life.

Get Credit Healthy Service includes an individualized Credit Health Report, customized dispute letters to creditors and credit bureaus. For a free credit analysis call toll free 1-877-709-9555. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.

What To Do If You Have A Debt Collector On The Phone

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

If you owe debt to a creditor collection agencies are allowed to report your debt to credit bureaus, file lawsuits against you, and should be taken very seriously. The best way to protect yourself and your financial situation is a methodical approach. First, know why you are being contacted. Know where the debt is from and exactly how much it costs.

Ask for the name of the person calling, the agency, the creditor, and the agency’s address and fax number. You have the right to tell a collector over the phone that you want all future contact to be in writing. Follow up all requests with a written request.

Keep in mind if you tell the debt collector that they are not permitted to contact you at all it the agency is entitled to contact you once more to inform you how it plans to proceed. Another request that can be made is that you are the only person that can be contacted. It might be a good idea to keep a file including dates and details of phone conversations and when you mail out or receive letters.

If you do send any correspondence to the collections agency do this by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. This will make sure that the letter reached the collector, giving you a signed receipt as proof. If you negotiate a re-payment plan over the phone, request the terms of the plan in writing. In addition, any promise to remove or adjust credit history should without a doubt be documented.

Make sure that you pay the right party; payments should be made to the debt collector, not the creditor, unless otherwise instructed to do so. Carefully look over the amount you are being asked to pay. Get an assessment of any interest, fees or charges that have been added.

If you think that your collector is harassing you, be sure to complain to the agency and keep this complaint in your file. Finally, never ignore a collector even if you feel that the debt isn’t yours; they will continue to contact you and it may mean more trouble and time in the long run.

Rapid Recovery Solution is a medical collection agency. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.

Protecting Yourself Against Debt Collection Scams

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The government is stepping up as debt collection scams rise. In recent news, Buffalo New York has been home to a number of unlawful debt collection practices, and authorities have arrested at least twelve people. Even though the vast majority of debt collection companies are good for the economy and very much legitimate, there has been a rising amount of deceptive and illegal practices.

In Buffalo, people have been caught calling up debtors and posing as law enforcement. They have threatened to send people that owe money in jail, or even take child custody away from them. And it doesn’t stop there.

A civil case recently imposed a $675,000 penalty, the most ever fined for a debt collection company, for deceptive and illegal practices. This includes lying to consumers and badgering them, disclosing their debt to third parties, and cashing in on post dated checks early. These tactics were accompanied by deceptive claims from agents saying they were lawyers or other figures of authority.

In addition to refusing to reveal the address or phone number of the “company” these agents even went as far as to call individuals who did not owe any money at all and attempted to collect from them. Despite claims that it was individual workers acting fraudulently, the Federal Trade Commission went after the business owners and won a case that imposed the biggest penalty ever for debt collection agencies.

To skirt around the issue of being a victim to fraudulent debt collection agencies, it is crucial that you know your rights. A debt collection company is never permitted to seize a debtor’s assets, bank accounts, or paychecks. They are unable get a debtor fired from their occupation, and can’t make any kind of public disclosures concerning the debt, and they can definitely never threaten or engage in violent acts.

For more information, refer to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which outlines the rules and regulations of debt collection.

Rapid Recovery Solution is a medical debt collection agency. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory