Credit Information

7 Surefire Ways To Repair Bad Credit


Do you have a poor credit rating? If so, you are one of tens of thousands of Americans with the same problem. In fact, it seems that this has become a national 'disease.' And just what do people need that have a disease? They need a cure.

Here are some sure-fire solutions to ' repair bad credit '. Keep in mind, like most 'diseases,' credit repair can take some time, but complete healing is possible.

The First Step

The first thing you need to do is find out what is being reported about you. This is easy and inexpensive. For under $10, you can get your credit report from one of the three main credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Keep in mind however, that if you have recently been denied credit, you can get a free report from the same credit bureau the lender used to reject you as long as you do so within 30 days.

What You Don't Need

You don't need a repair clinic. Why? There is no legal way to 'repair' your credit. Those that claim to know loopholes and shortcuts are merely out for your money. They may even get you into legal trouble by having you fudge the facts or creating a whole new file for you. Anything legal that a clinic can do, you can do just as easily and without the cost of 'professional' help.

Further Steps to Take

1. Stop using your credit cards immediately. Put them somewhere where they will not tempt you. You may consider keeping at least one card for emergency purposes. Additionally, with poor credit, you may find it more difficult to get a credit card in the future. If you keep at least one account open, then you won't have to worry about applying.

2. Be Honest With Yourself. Taking a good hard look at your financial situation, particularly if it isn't good, can be very difficult. Yet, to get out debt you have to fully understand what the situation is.

3. Find the Errors. Believe it or not, up to 40% of all credit reports have errors in them. If you find that your credit report shows something that is not true, you need to write to them with all the details. Be sure to use certified mail so that you can keep track of who you wrote to, when you wrote, and who received the mail on the credit bureau's end. Then ask the credit bureau to send a corrected report to anyone who has requested a report on you in the last 6 months.

4. Find the Omissions. By law, you are allowed to add information to your report that you believe will help your rating. This might be additional information about a repayment of a loan, good credit you have with companies that do not report to the credit bureau, or salary increases.

5. You Must Have a Plan. Whether you determine to pay your bills down little at a time, take a second job, go to credit counseling, or file bankruptcy, you need to make a plan and stick to it. In order for your credit to be improved, you have to have a plan and then take action!

6. Talk to those that you owe. Creditors want their money. They do not want you to default (quit paying). In fact, most creditors will work with you to get a reduced payment schedule. If you can keep them from reporting you to the credit bureau, then it won't hurt your credit. The catch here is this: be sure to stick to the new negotiated plan - they won't renegotiate if you fail to comply.

7. The Best Cure is Time. Have you ever heard the saying 'time heals all wounds'? It also heals your credit. After 7 years, most items will be dropped. This is good news if you are working to correct your credit. As each year passes, more and more bad items will drop off and more and more good items will be included. Eventually, the disease will be cured.

Follow these steps and you will find that your credit looks healthier and healthier each day. Eventually this path will lead you to full recovery. Good Luck!

Wesley Atkins is the owner of http://www.credit-cards-advisor.com- which aims to get you fitted with the best credit cards to suit your situation. With numerous credit card articles and easy online credit card applications you will never choose the wrong credit card again.


MORE RESOURCES:

New Zealand Herald

Government plans new credit, mortgage programs
O Jornal, MA - 5 hours ago
The Fed program for consumer debt will lend up to $200 billion to the holders of securities backed by various types of consumer loans such as credit cards, ...
Washington’s $6.3 trillion bailout Boomers-Bank
US Unveils New Programs to Ease Credit New York Times
Thanksgiving surprise: $800 billion more for the credit markets Los Angeles Times
Motley Fool - Detroit Free Press
all 2,149 news articles


Kenexa to Present at the Credit Suisse Annual Technology Conference
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
a global provider of talent acquisition and retention solutions, today announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Don Volk, is presenting at the Credit ...
Digital River CFO to Speak at the Credit Suisse Annual Technology ... WELT ONLINE
Brocade Corporate Controller, Charles Read, to Present at Credit ... MarketWatch
all 27 news articles


Realtors(R) Federal Credit Union Hires Thomas A. Glatt as First CEO
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
WASHINGTON, Dec 01, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The REALTORS(R) Federal Credit Union board of directors today announced that veteran credit union leader ...


Post Chronicle

Sector Snap: Consumer Lenders
CNNMoney.com - 1 hour ago
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Consumer spending is likely to decline as the nation's largest credit card lenders cut customers' credit lines over the next ...
Credit card industry may cut $2 trillion lines: analyst Reuters
The Death of Credit Cards Motley Fool
Late barely better than never Atlanta Journal Constitution
BloggingStocks - USA Today
all 52 news articles


The Jewish Journal of greater L.A

Pastor apologizes for church credit card use
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 4 hours ago
AP LOS ANGELES—The pastor for First AME Church in Los Angeles has apologized to his flock over his use of a church credit card for $122000 in personal ...
First AME pastor's credit card charges probed Los Angeles Times
Pastor Apologizes for Charging $122000 on Church Credit Cards KTLA
First AME pastor apologizes to congregation for alleged misspending Los Angeles Times
all 36 news articles


ExpressJet to Present at the Credit Suisse Global Airlines Conference
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
today announced that the company will present at the Credit Suisse Global Airlines Conference in New York City. Jim Ream, President and CEO, will present a ...


CEP News

S&P affirms Macy's credit rating, negative outlook
CNNMoney.com - 51 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Monday affirmed its credit ratings for department store operator Macy's Inc., ...
Standard & Poor's assigns eBay an 'A-' debt rating CNNMoney.com
all 9 news articles


'Coupons' & 'Credit Scores' Top Ask.com's Real Deal List of Most ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Credit score Ask searchers were hunting down deals for all facets of their everyday lives, demonstrated by top queries for "cheap," "used," and "discount" ...


United Online to Present at the Credit Suisse 2008 Technology ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
... and Scott H. Ray, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Credit Suisse 2008 Technology Conference in Scottsdale, ...


Wall Street Journal Blogs

Restoring the flow of credit to entrepreneurs
Los Angeles Times, CA - 15 hours ago
By Cyndia Zwahlen The credit crunch looks like an espresso machine. At least it does to Michael McDonald, who is trying to open a coffee shop near UC Santa ...
BIZ VOICE: Banking on small guys Atlanta Journal Constitution
Federal Credit Facility Aims to Thaw SBA Lending NJBIZ
SCORE: Enjoy the upside of a down market by thinking outside the box Naples Daily News
all 130 news articles

Credit - Google News

home | site map
© 2006