How to improve your Credit Report

By Good Nelly

Ask Nelly

With the arrival of credit cards or plastic money in the new millennium, our spending limits have moved up further. Thus, while using a credit card we often get lured by the dazzling consumer products and overspend.An average US citizen has a credit card debt worth $8,000 today. This is a crystal clear picture of how recklessly people handle their plastic money.

Thus, credit cards promising flexible financing also have a trap laid out for people who are careless about handling funds. This reckless handling often gives you a bad credit report. However, there are ways by which one can improve his credit report.

Many people face financial crisis at certain times of their lives. The crisis may be due to personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or simply overspending. But the crux of the matter is that your financial situation should not turn from bad to worse.

• Developing a Budget: - The first step towards taking control of your financial situation is to do a real assessment of your income and expenses.
• Contacting Your Creditors: - Contact your creditors immediately if you are having a difficult time. Tell them why it is difficult for you, and try to work out a modified payment plan that reduces your payments to a more manageable level. Don't wait till the creditor gives up and hands over your accounts to a debt collector.
• Dealing with Debt Collectors: - The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is the federal law that dictates how and when a debt collector may contact you. Collectors are restricted from harassing you, making false statements or using unfair practices when they try to collect debt.
• Credit Counseling: - If you aren't disciplined enough to create a planned budget and stick to it; if you can't work out a repayment plan with your creditors or can't keep track of mounting bills, go for a credit counseling service. Your creditors may be willing to accept reduced payments if you enroll for a debt repayment plan with a reputable organization.
• Bankruptcy: - Personal bankruptcy is generally considered as the debt management tool of last resort, because the results are long-lasting and far-reaching. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, making it difficult for you to acquire credit, buy a home, get life insurance or get a job. However, it is a legal procedure that offers a fresh start to those who fail to pay off their debts.

At first, inform the CRA or credit rating agency about any negative data. The organization that provided the information to the CRA, such as a bank or credit card company, must correct inaccurate or incomplete information in your report.

1. Accurate Negative Information: - When negative information in your report is true, only the passage of time can assure its removal. Accurate negative information generally can stay on your report for seven years. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule, as in cases of Bankruptcy, criminal convictions and US government insured student loans etc.
2. Avoiding Scams: - Before you do business with any company, check it out with the local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau near the company's location.
3. Debt Consolidation: - This is the most sought after way to make you free of debts in the US today. With debt consolidation, you can free yourself from debts within a couple of years. All you have to do is to join a debt consolidation firm for free counseling. Once you have enrolled, a credit counselor will contact you for credit counseling and work out your loan repayment scheme.