Getting Free Credit Report
Posted November 17, 2009 – 10:18 am in: LoansIf you want to buy a $20,000 car over a 48-month period, then you should expect to get a 6.5% interest rate and pay $2,700 in interest over the loan’s lifetime. However, if you have a low credit score, then your interest will be 11% or higher, meaning you’d pay $4,800 in interest for that same car! Finding free credit repair services is so critical because it sets the price you get on mortgages, auto loans, school loans and credit card interest rates. Who wouldn’t want the best deal?
The best part about finding a third party credit counselor to tackle your credit repair is that you won’t feel so alone. It can be overwhelming, frustrating and embarrassing to find yourself knee-deep in debt. Sure, you could repair your credit on your own by reading a few books, buying software, calling and negotiating with creditors, or making an organized checklist of priorities. However, you may prefer the “we’re-in-this-together” feeling of working one-on-one with a debt reduction professional who can ensure you’re doing your best to pay off old debts and wipe the slate clean with a newer, positive payment history.
The first step toward credit repair is getting your free online credit score. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are legally entitled to one free report each year from each of the three main credit bureaus, which are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). On your credit report, you’ll see whether or not you have a high or low credit score, as well as all the outstanding debts you owe, people who have checked your credit report, loans you’re paying off and other financial information that is readily visible to loan officers. It is important that you check this report each year to make sure all of your financial records are up-to-date. Any past late payments, collection accounts or blemishes will be on your record for seven years, but your account status should be updated and your score should reflect your recent activity. It’s not unusual to find errors or dated information, so keeping your records accurate is one way to repair bad credit.
Sometimes, finding free credit repair involves just knowing where to look. Non-profit counseling services are often offered locally by universities, military bases, law offices, credit unions, banks and housing organizations. Two of the housing organizations that offer free financial counseling include Neighborhood Housing Services at www.nw.org and HUD at www.hud.gov. Their goal is to help people with bad credit debt become eligible for affordable home ownership again. There are state programs that can help if you’re having trouble paying your heating or water bills, so you can get ahead and prevent further damage to your credit report. You may feel alone and drowning in debt, so finding free assistance can be a huge relief.
Finding quality free credit repair may not be simple, but there are many resources for you to turn to, listed at www.cccservices.com. At the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA), you can gain access to a list of quality credit counseling companies. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a nonprofit company that helps consumers maintain financial stability. You can avoid credit repair scams by going through these organizations, checking companies through the Better Business Bureau and not paying large upfront fees to accomplish your goals.
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