[TOP 5 CREDIT TIPS] FIRST: pull your credit report & identify what is lowering your score. Navigate to Experian or PrivacyGuard.com (they have free trials) and pull your 3 reports + Scores! AnnualCreditReport.com has reports but DOES NOT display scores.
IDENTIFY WHAT’S LOWERING YOUR SCORE
-1. You don’t have ENOUGH credit established. -2. You have late payments on your report. -3. You have accounts in COLLECTIONS -4. Your accounts are closed to being maxed out -5. You have a public record such as a bankruptcy or foreclosure.
HOW TO FIX LATE PAYMENTS: -CALL the creditor and negotiate the terms of the debt and ask if they can adjust your account status back to current/paid. -EXPLAIN you are having a tough time and ask if they can remove the late payment as a COURTESY. -IDENTIFY any inaccuracies and dispute it.
HOW TO FIX ACCOUNTS THAT ARE IN COLLECTIONS: -DISPUTE, DISPUTE, DISPUTE any errors or inaccuracies (name, account opened date, account amount, etc) -Ask the lender to VALIDATE the debt -ASK FOR “PAY FOR DELETION”* while I don’t recommend this method, here is how it can be used: Get a letter from the collection agency that states they will DELETE the negative account from your Credit Report, upon receipt of payment. If the account balance is already “$0.00” but the status of the negative collection is still on your report, dispute the debt anyway with the credit bureaus. -If (Equifax, Experian and/or TransUnion) cannot prove the debt, it’ll get removed* *According to FCRA Section 609/611 guidelines.
FIX MAXED OUT ACCOUNTS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT: 1. Pay down OR PAY OFF your credit cards, loans or any revolving accounts, 2. Ask for the credit card company to raise your credit limit-(DO NOT USE MORE CREDIT; BE RESPONSIBLE).
FORECLOSURES & BANKRUPTCIES -NOT impossible, but it’s very hard to do -Dispute any errors or inaccuracies (ex-spouse’s debt, etc). -Ask an attorney if this can be rectified. I cannot advise on this.
THIS is the exact way to FIX a bad credit score, WITHOUT PAYING a company to help you do it! All of these steps can be taken TODAY to increase your score and remove derogatory marks from your credit report. Having a higher credit score will help you save money with a lower interest rate, getting approved for a home or an apartment, and will even help you get a better job!!! YES, EMPLOYERS CHECK CREDIT!!
I raised my credit score over 300+ points and I didn't have to pay anyone! The most common misconception of improving one's credit score is that if you pay your collections accounts reported on your credit report, this will help your credit score. WRONG! I will explain why disputing collections accounts from your credit report is the BEST method to raise your score! Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. This is strictly for informational purposes and does not replace the advice from a financial advisor, credit bureaus agent, or attorney. I do not offer credit repair.
