Having a poor credit score is among the most frustrating situations that takes the fun out of life. Bad credit makes it difficult to take advantage of any financial opportunities that arise. Here are a few steps you can take to restore and protect your credit score.
You may be able to get a secured credit card even if your poor credit has prevented you from getting other credit cards. You are more likely to be approved for this type of card because, once funded, the banks feels secure that you will pay them back. If you use a credit card responsibly, you will go a long way in repairing your credit.
Interest Rates
You can get better interest rates on credit cards and loans when you have a good credit score. Lower interest rates make paying bills easier, and prevents you from incurring debt. The key to paid off credit is to find a great offer and a competitive rate so that you can pay off your debt and get a better credit score.
If your credit is good, it's easy to get a mortgage on a new home. Paying mortgage notes on time will keep your credit scores high. Having a major asset like a house also looks good to potential creditors. If you have to borrow some money, you will need this.
It's vital that you actually begin paying the bills that you have if you want to improve your credit. More importantly, you need to start paying your bills in full and on time. Your FICO score will begin to increase immediately after you pay the bills that are past due.
You need to work with the companies from whom you have credit cards. If you do this you'll find that your debt doesn't increase and your credit is improved. Some of your options include negotiating for a later due date, and asking for reductions in your minimum monthly payments.
If an action can result in imprisonment, draw the line. There are less than honest entities that will show you how to make a brand new credit file. These scams are not legal and there will be repercussions. You could go to jail if you have a lot of legal issues.
Contact the credit card company and ask to get your card limit lowered. Not only will this prevent you from owing more, but it will be reflected in your credit score because it shows that you are responsible with your credit.
Credit Score
Prior to agreeing to a debt settlement agreement, find out how that process is going to impact your credit score. Some ways of dealing with debt repayment are better for your credit score than others, so make sure you are achieving the best outcome for you before you sign anything. Many collectors just want to get paid and don't care about credit consequences.
Do not live beyond your means. This will require a change in your thinking. Many people have acquired debts they can't pay off, which has affected the amount others will pay to have credit. Examine your budget, and figure out how much extra money you have to shop with.
If you wheel and deal and get a new payment plan, be certain to have it on paper. The documentation you gain from the creditor is important in case the company changes ownership or the creditor is no longer interested in the deal. Upon completion of payment, make sure to get the receipt in writing and send it to the credit reporting agencies.
This is one of the quickest way to create and maintain a credible financial record. Late payments to credit cards are reported to the major credit agencies and can hurt your chances for securing a new loan.
You should keep a low balance on your credit cards to improve your credit rating. Reducing the amount of debt you're carrying is one of the best ways to improve your credit score. When balances are and increments of twenty percent of your total available balance on that account, the FICO system will take note.
Statements like these will only be ignored, so it's not worth the trouble. Do not draw more attention than needed to the bad marks on your report.
Collection Agencies
Collection agencies are stressful to deal with. The consumer can use cease and desist orders, but these only stop harassment. You will still have to pay what you owe even if collection agencies stop calling you.
One way you can fix your credit is by taking small steps to build good credit. 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. This helps prove to lenders that you're credit worthy and responsible.
Any time that you take out a line of credit it is going to negatively impact your credit score. 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. Once you open a new credit card, your credit score will become lower.
Eradicate your debt. Creditors will look at your debt to income ratio. Companies will evaluate your debt-to-income ratio to make sure that you can handle the payments; the higher the ratio, the bigger the risk. You don't have to pay it all at once, but set up a system that will allow you to chip away at it.
Paying your bills on time is a crucial part of your credit score. Using a calendar to mark due dates, along with the use of a payment reminder, can help you to keep track of your bills and the deadlines associated with them. You can set up reminders in a multitude of ways. You can set them up on your banking portal and have the reminders sent to you in your email. Many creditors also send payment reminders via text message.
These tips will help you on your way. You can repair your credit issues and enjoy a brighter, more financially sound future. Having a high credit score is essential in many ways, so it is important to be well-informed about credit restoration.