If you have ever gone through a bankruptcy, suffered a devastating foreclosure or applied for a loan and have been turned down, you know the importance of having clean credit. If you are looking to repair your credit and increase your rating, the process can be a little overwhelming at first. This article will hopefully give you a starting point.
Taking the do-it-yourself approach requires that you learn all the basics to credit repair including reviewing the information currently in your credit history and filing the required forms and letters to correct any errors. The three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union are the major credit bureaus for credit reporting in the United States.
The big three credit bureaus use to charge a fee to consumers for these reports. Now, everyone can get a free copy of their credit report once a year since the FTC passed news laws giving consumer more protections rights. It all begins with this process.
You are also entitled to get a copy of your report if you currently not employed and seeking employment during the next three months, have been denied for a loan for any reason or if your are receiving some form of public assistance from the government. Most credit companies will not tell you this for obvious reasons.
Credit repair websites can be a great source of information. There are many sites online containing mountains of information designed to help your improve your credit. They have sample forms and letters as well as sections explaining the submission process.
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) website is also a great place to start. They will tell you what to look for, alert you to any new scams aimed at consumers and provide you with samples forms and letters too. These letters are what you will need to dispute information on your credit report such as information that is not verified, blatant errors, inaccuracies and information that should have already been removed.
The Public Library is also a great source of information. Just as the Librarian for references to the credit industry and tell them what you want to know. They should be able to point you in the right direction. Libraries are also great sources for books and how-to guides written by experts relating to credit repair.
The key to using library resources is to bare in mind that they are only guides. They will help to educate you on the laws, processes and guidelines to repairing and restoring your credit to a good rating.
A good credit rating is essential to getting loans, buying a home, purchasing a car or just taking a family vacation. If you have bad credit, sooner or later you will have to face the fact that life can be better one your credit is repaired.
Considering that many employers are now using the information contained in credit reports as a qualifying means to screen new candidates, the information in your credit files are more important than ever. Who ever thought that a person’s credit history will have an effect on their career? It does and eventually it will affect you if you are prospecting for key employment positions, especially in the banking and financial professions.
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