You can feel like the bad guy if you have bad credit. If you’ve recently gone through some hard times, a bad credit score is just an ugly reminder of that experience. Don’t despair, there are ways you can repair your credit.
If you are unable to get a new card because of your bad credit, try to apply for secured cards. These are extremely easy to qualify for. A secured credit card looks just like a regular card, and works like a regular card, but you have to have the necessary money in an account to guarantee payment. Using this card responsibly will improve your credit rating over time, and eventually you’ll be able to get a normal credit card again.
Opening an installment account can give quite a boost to your credit score. Open an installment account that you can pay for and make sure to keep an affordable monthly minimum on it. A properly managed installment account will work wonders on your credit rating.
Interest Rates
You can dispute inflated interest rates if you are being charged more than you should be. The incredibly high interest rates can get challenged and reduced in some situations. It is important to take into account the fact that you did sign a contract and agreed to pay off the attached interest. You need to be able to prove the interest rates are too high if you want to sue your lenders.
When trying to improve bad credit, beware of companies who promise that they can erase any negative, but correct items, on your credit report. Unfortunately, this negative information stays on your credit record for at least seven years. Incorrect information may be erased though.
Consumers should carefully research credit counseling agencies before choosing one with which to work. While some counselors are legitimate, offering genuinely helpful services, others have ulterior motives. You’ll find that other ones are just scams. Smart consumers will always check to see that credit counseling agencies are, in fact, legitimate before working with them.
Don’t attempt to fix your credit in a way that will result in you breaking any laws. As we speak, people are trying to take advantage of illegal practices to have people create credit files that can get them into trouble. Do not attempt this because it’s illegal; you will not be able to avoid getting caught. The end result of getting caught during the crime could be expensive legal fees and a possibility of time behind bars.
Credit Union
Joining a credit union is a great way to build your credit if you are having a difficult time doing so elsewhere. You may find that the credit union has more options and better rates to offer you than banks will.
Too many credit cards is a common cause of financial strain, so close all of your accounts aside from one. It is important to make small payments or transfer a balance to the open account. This allows you to pay off one credit card bill rather than many smaller ones.
Pay the balances on all credit cards as soon as you can to start the credit improvement process. Pay down the cards with the largest balances and interest rates first. This can prove to creditors that you are serious about paying down your debt.
Credit Score
Try and pay down any revolving account balances in order to boost your credit score. Lowering your balances is one way to get a better credit score. The FICO system has a new level for every twenty percentage points of your credit available.
Look for a trusted credit repair agency to help you. There are a number of shady operators in the credit improvement business that can cost you money and do nothing for you. Far too many people have been bilked by dishonest agencies. By reading user reviews online, you will be able to separate the good from the bad.
lenders will not read these statements when looking at your credit report. Inclusion of the defending statement could actually have the opposite effect as it brings more attention to the fact that you have a negative mark on your report.
Collection Agencies
Having to deal with a collection agency can be extremely stressful. Cease and desist documents can be used to hold back collection agencies, but only to stop harassment. You will still have to pay what you owe even if collection agencies stop calling you.
When you have poor credit, you can feel badly about your financial life and think that it will never get better. The credit score repair tips in this article can get you in a new frame of mind, and make the first steps to improve your credit.