A Ridiculous Credit Repair Claim
By Mike Wayman
I’m sure you’ve probably seen some pretty funny advertisements for credit repair. Some people claim to be able to give you perfect credit in 30 days or less or that they’ll guarantee you a line of credit or other financing. Perhaps they’ll even claim to handle everything themselves even filling out credit applications on your behalf. Here’s an example of a completely ridiculous credit repair claim:
So what’s the big problem with the claims made by this individual? First, this individual claims that by removing a tradeline you don’t have to pay for the remaining balance. This is patently false and will lead you towards terrible credit, or worse, bankruptcy. The second claim that this individual makes that is patently false is that “any time something that is on your credit report is not there anymore, it improves your credit score.” This is patently false as well. Having a robust credit profile that shows a positive payment history is a good thing. Deleting everything is not a good thing.
If you want someone to help improve your credit that understands the process give us a call today!
Credit Debt Trap #9
By Mike Wayman
Understanding the credit debt traps that exist and how to avoid them is extraordinarily important but understanding why these debt traps flourish on a larger scale is helpful as well. So why then are we so dependent on credit these days when just a generation or two ago debt traps were not as prevalent? The answer is that the standard of living in America is slowly getting worse, meaning, it takes far more income these days to live a comfortable lifestyle, a lifestyle without having to depend on credit to afford the basic necessities of life.
Whereas a generation or two ago most people could live on a single income it now takes a dual income household to afford basic transportation, essential healthcare and insurance and basic housing. Not even considering a mortgage, getting by these days is hard. This makes credit not only appealing to the average consumer, but a necessity.
Credit dependance is perhaps the biggest reason that people get in to financial trouble. It is the reason why so many people get behind on their payments. It is the reason why so many people have bad credit. Credit repair cannot fix the larger problem. Understanding how the system works can help you avoid financial problems and, perhaps, this is the most important thing we can all do to avoid financial problems and tarnished credit.
Getting out of the credit system is difficult but for long term security it is becoming a necessity in life. Establishing a budget, living within your means and avoiding credit by any means possible may seem difficult but it will pay off in the long term.
Credit Debt Trap #8
By Mike Wayman
How are you “sold” to other debt collectors? This is an interesting concept. When you apply for credit one of the things that many people don’t ever realize is that credit issuers have the right to sell or assign your debt for pennies on the dollar to debt collectors. This is how and why many people begin receiving collection notices from agencies that seem to have no relation to the original creditor. The worst part about this whole process is that the collectors can make far more money than the original credit issuer.
If the collector buys your debt for pennies on the dollar and you actually pay the debt the profit margins are enormous. The benefit for the original creditor is that they earn some money from the sale of your debt but they also gain a large tax break. They get to write your debt off as a loss and this really helps credit card companies decrease the taxes they have to pay. It’s a win-win for the credit industry and a big loss for the consumer.
What’s even worse is that when you have a collection, it hurts your credit in two ways. First, you have a negative tradeline from the original credit issuer. Second, you can have a collection for the same debt on your credit from the collection company. This can make the credit repair process exceedingly difficult. If you want help stopping the damage to your credit then call us today and we will help you repair your credit fast.
Credit Debt Trap #7
By Mike Wayman
Trillions of dollars are made off the backs of Americans everyday. Debt is perhaps one of the best ways for people to rake in billions, especially from people that have the worst credit. It should make sense that if you have bad credit that you’d be considered a bad credit risk and that executives at major credit companies would want to learn how to avoid extending credit to the credit challenged. Doesn’t it make sense that the credit challenged offer the worst possible return on credit? This is, unfortunately, not the case at all. In fact, its actually the opposite.
The people with the worst credit represent the most income to a major credit issuer. Late fees, high interest rates and penalties are easily assessed to people with sketchy credit and the credit companies are well aware of this. SO, does this mean that credit card companies are hoping and praying that you won’t pay off your balances in full or make minimum payments on time? I would venture to say “Absolutely Yes!”
Credit issuers don’t care about you personally and neither do the debt collectors you are “sold to” after the credit issuer realizes there’s nothing else they can get from you. The moral of the story is be very careful when applying for credit if you have a less than perfect credit history. You may very well want to consider credit repair before you apply for new credit to avoid debt traps.
Credit Repair Strategies to Avoid Like the Plague
June 18, 2009
By Mike Wayman
There are vast numbers of credit repair plots and schemes proffered on the Internet. Some are designed to merely take your money. Others, however, while also designed to take your money, can get you in to serious legal trouble. Let me introduce you to the “Personal Credit Number” sometimes known as a CPN or PCN. This strategy requires you to get a new Employee Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service and the “credit repair” company tells you they will create a new credit profile for you utilizing this new number.
This “new” credit profile is supposed to be a fresh start. In reality, using this new credit profile is considered a misrepresentation of your true identity and is nothing less than fraudulent if you apply for credit using this number. If you default on credit utilizing this fraudulent identity be advised that the credit issuer may very well come after you for fraud and they will be well within their rights.
This scam isn’t new and it has been used to defraud creditors for years. Some of these scams are simple while others far more ornate and calculated. For instance, some companies actually sell credit profiles with active CPN numbers and tell their clients they will never have to pay their debts back. These companies may promise signature lines of credit and credit cards as part of the package in their service agreements.
If anyone tells you they will create a brand new credit profile for you utilizing a different social security number or a CPN stay far, far away from the company. You can find yourself in a heap of trouble.
Credit repair isn’t easy and some people make it seem as though they can perform miracles. A CPN and a new profile may not be a miraculous achievement as many people have acquired these “new credit profiles” but it certainly is something to stay away from.
Credit Monitoring Services
June 18, 2009
By Mike Wayman
Credit monitoring is an effective way to avoid identity theft and also an effective way for a consumer to maintain and improve their credit themselves. Credit monitoring allows a consumer to receive regular credit report updates, meaning, credit reports are mailed or emailed to you on a regular basis and when anyone applies for credit utilizing your personal information you are immediately informed. Utilizing credit monitoring services is highly advisable as it allows you to quickly ascertain if your identity has been stolen or if your creditors are falsely reporting information to the credit bureaus that may damage your credit. This allows you to dispute inaccuracies reported to the bureaus quickly and efectively.
While this service is very useful, some people have turned the credit monitoring service in to a scam. Here’s how it’s done on the most offensive scale: A credit monitoring company contacts you and explains the benefits of credit monitoring. You pay for the fees and provide the necessary information including, but not limited to your social security number, address and perhaps even the maiden name of you mother. This is everything these scammers need to acquire credit in your name and steal your identity.
The other scams are less complex for example taking your money and never providing the service or simply taking your money and registering for credit monitoring on your behalf at the three credit bureaus. Of course this last strategy will give you the intended results, but it’s something you can do on your own.
You can take advantage of credit monitoring safely and easily by contacting the three credit bureaus yourself. Their customer service representatives will explain your options if you need them to but you can apply for credit monitoring directly at the three main credit bureau’s websites.
Beware Offers of Credit if You Recently Filed Bankruptcy
June 17, 2009
By Mike Wayman
Bankruptcy happens for a number of reasons. From financial hardship to medical problems, bankruptcy is a safety valve for the American Consumer. There are downsides to bankruptcy however. One of the biggest fears that people have when they file for bankruptcy is how long it will take to re-establish credit properly and whether or not they will be able to acquire new credit to buy things like automobiles or just to be able to qualify for a credit card.
One of the most interesting things about the credit industry, that surprises most people that file for bankruptcy, is that after your bankruptcy is discharged, offers of credit come pouring in to your mailbox and even your email. It seems to make absolutely no sense that if you recently discharged a bankruptcy that a credit issuer would want to take the risk of extending credit to you right? Well my friends, that’s not how the credit industry works.
Once you file bankruptcy you become a prime target for credit. You become a prime target especially after your bankruptcy is discharged. Here’s why: the credit issuers can charge you outrageous interest rates, some rates as high or higher than 20%.
It’s common for people that recently discharged a bankruptcy to receive solicitations in the mail from automobile dealerships that have financing arrangements with subprime automobile finance companies. Many of these companies will require large down payments with interest rates in the double digits. In thee cases, it almost makes more sense to save your money and buy a very inexpensive car if you can.
Other offers of credit can come from credit card issuers. These credit card issuers may only extend $500.00 of credit but charge up front “set up” fees and other annual fees that will make your available balance, just by accepting the card, less than $300.00.
Avoid falling for these kinds of traps as much as you possibly can. When you receive offers of credit after a bankruptcy, be sure to read the fine print on the contract if you are interested in reestablishing your credit.
How to Reestablish Your Credit Properly
June 17, 2009
By Mike Wayman
There are numerous ways of reestablishing your credit after a bankruptcy or if you have impacted your score severely. Each strategy has certain benefits and downsides. This post is intended to provide my readers with a scoop on some of the better strategies and some to avoid.
Department store credit cards may be some of the easiest to qualify for. If you need to reestablish your credit and you don’t want to tempt yourself with a card that has a huge maximum then a department store card may be the best way to go. The typical department store card for those with tarnished credit may only have a $250.00 to $500.00 limit. Beware of the interest rates however! Some of the department store credit issuers can have high rates if you have less than perfect credit. The upside to having a low limit on a card that has a higher interest rate is that you can affordably pay off the balance in full each month if you need to. Paying off the balance in full each month is a healthy habit to acquire and it will help you avoid making massive interest payments.
One of the best ways to reestablish credit is through a “secured” credit card. These are credit cards whose limit is secured by a deposit. Many banks and credit unions offer these cards and require a savings account to be opened and the consumer must deposit an amount in to the account equal to the limit on the secured credit card. Often, these cards are linked to the account for auto payment. This is a great way to insure that the payments are made on time. However, the auto payment may only cover the minimum monthly payment. You’ll want to avoid interest charges on these cards so pay them off in full each month if you can.
These are two of the least negative ways of building credit. You should avoid the blanket solicitations that come in the mail or, if you are really interested in getting a card from a blanket solicitation read all of the fine print. Some of these cards charge enormous interest rates.
The Importance of Good Credit in the New Economy
June 16, 2009
By Mike Wayman
Our economy has pushed millions of American consumers over the financial edge. Many have lost their homes, and, likewise, their credit has suffered tremendously. This can lead to a spiral of economic problems as many consumers use credit to bail themselves out of short term cash flow problems.
Imagine the following: one of the breadwinners in the household or the only breadwinner loses their job due to corporate downsizing. Credit card payments and other credit related payments fall behind first, as is common, due to the fact that most people prioritize making their mortgage payments before anything else.
Luckily, the job loss was only temporary. This breadwinner was able to acquire a new job quickly, albeit, at a lesser rate of pay. Money is tight for the family but the family credit score has been completely damaged. Now, due to multiple past due account balances, the score of both individuals in the household is hovering just above 500.
The problem in the new economy is that underwriting guidelines for all forms of credit are now much more selective. Should the family described above encounter any financial difficulties in the near future, it will be nearly impossible to borrow money to help in the short term for a number of reasons. First, many credit card companies will reduce the remaining balances on existing credit cards down to what is owed if the borrower fails to pay on time. These clauses are in most credit card contracts. Second, acquiring new credit will be nearly impossible, that is, unless you are willing to pay rates that are sky high. These are burdens that most would like to avoid but nevertheless, these burdens are commonplace.
Credit repair can help some people but not everyone. Credit repair does not really help borrowers that habitually fail to pay their debts on time, whether they have money or not. However, if your hardship is temporary in nature, credit repair can be an effective way to restore your credit to the point that you won’t be saddled with a terrible score.
A Credit Repair Strategy that Works
June 15, 2009
By Mike Wayman
One of the credit repair strategies that works for consumers is to manage your debt ratios on consumer credit cards effectively. For example let’s say that consumer A has three credit cards with Chase, MBNA and Discover. Each have various balances and limits. For the purposes of illustration let’s assume consumer A has the following profile:
Chase card: balance $4374.00 limit: $6000.00
MBNA card: balance $2463.00 limit: $3000.00
Discover card: balance $3225.00 limit: $4500.00
Calculating the existing debt ratio on each card is simple: just divide the existing balance by the credit limit. The existing debt ratios on each of these cards is:
Chase card: balance $2374.00/limit: $6000.00 = 39.6%
MBNA card: balance $1463.00/limit: $3000.00 = 48.8%
Discover card: balance $2225.00/limit: $4500.00 = 49.4%
Maintaining a high ratio negatively affects your credit score. Typically, it is advised that your debt ratio on any given credit card stays lower than 25%. If you can afford to pay them down, do so. If not you still have a number of options at your disposal.
One option is to call your credit card issuer and ask them to increase your credit limits to make your ratios on your cards reach a limit that will improve your credit scores.
Another option at your disposal is to look for a new credit card that will give you a high enough limit to reduce your ratios so your score can benefit.
The recession has limited the practicality of this strategy as many credit issuers are scaling back on increasing credit limits. You can always inquire with your credit card issuer if they are offering credit limit increases before you ask for an increase in your limit.
With the credit markets drying up, seeking out trustworthy credit repair companies is a very good option that you still have at your disposal.
