Credit Score Tips & Advice

After taking a few days off, I want to discuss some of the problems and situations I encounter on an everyday basis as a non-profit credit counselor. In general, there are two types of individuals who seek out my services: the extremely poor who are in a relatively large amount of debt and the middle class who have leveraged themselves into a whole world of debt.

In the former group, most individuals have accumulated around $2,500 of debt that increases monthly as they fall behind on their credit card, rent, and car payments. Since credit cards are the most lax about payments, allowing you to pay a minimum rather than the entire balance, this is generally where I see this group of people fall behind. And as they pay interest rates in the high teens, falling behind for only a few months can add up quickly.

To remedy this situation, I typically teach individuals to be more responsible by giving them certain texts and pamphlets in addition to one-on-one counseling. I also advise them to refinance an asset or get a bank loan with a lower interest rate than their credit card so they can pay off their debts and start anew. As an excellent short term option, most individuals will be able to save a relatively large amount of money from the lower interest payments.

For those in the middle class earning around $120,000 annually, the problems are essentially the same as those earning less except the debts are on a much larger scale. Luxury cars, interest-only mortgages, private schools for the kids, and an overwhelming credit card balance can easily lead to a $40,000 debt, which gradually accumulates on a few credit cards as cars and other monthly bills are never truly paid off.

To help these people that are swimming in debt, I also offer one-on-one counseling where we discuss which assets can be refinanced, such as a car or a home. Another possible solution for many individuals is to look into a tax-deductible HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) with a much lower interest payment than their credit cards. Although may of these problems can be solved by paying off high interest debts and using a little creative refinancing, education is essential to making sure that this issue does not arise again.

If you feel like you are treading water or sinking in debt, consult a credit counselor to discuss your options and gain some valuable insight into your overall financial situation. It is one meeting that could not only turn your credit situation around, but also your entire life.

The dreaded phone call comes in: there has been some suspicious activity on your credit card and the bank would like to verify that you were the one spending thousands of dollars online. Shocked and appalled, it strikes you that your identity has been stolen and that you must act quickly to protect yourself from further damage. While the news can be overwhelming at first, and you most likely want to figure out how this even happened to you, there are a few steps you should immediately take to preserve your credit and your hard-earned money.

1) Call one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)* to place a fraud alert on your credit report. It is unnecessary to call all three since the one that you contact will inform the other two agencies in addition to sending you a copy of your credit report for review. A fraud alert is extremely important since it requires companies to verify your identity before issuing a line a credit, thus preventing thieves from opening new accounts under your name.

2) If the perpetrators were able to open new accounts, contact each creditor and notify them of the fraudulent activity. They will close the accounts and most likely have you fill out a fraud affidavit.

3) For those accounts that you opened and are now compromised, contact the creditor and inform them that your identity has been stolen. Not only will they close the accounts, but many will read through the most recent charges to help you determine how long the abuse has been going on and how much has been charged to your name.

4) Contact your local police and alert them to the fraud under your name. A detective will be assigned to your case and ask for details such as where the charges occurred, how much was spent, and how your identity was stolen (internet, lost wallet, etc.). When you are finished providing the detective with all of your information, be sure to write down the detective’s name and the case number since many fraud affidavits will ask for these.

5) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (the FTC) by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

6) Change all of the passwords that you use online. Since the thieves may have acquired your information through one of your password-protected accounts, think of a completely different word and try not to use the same one for all of your accounts. Also, while it may be inconvenient to type your passwords each time you want to log-in, never save your passwords online or on your computer.

7) If you lost your entire wallet or you believe that someone is using your driver’s license, visit the DMV, Secretary of State, etc. as soon as possible to get a new driver’s license number and card. Even if you just renewed your license, you will be required to take a new picture and pay all of the regular fees.

8) KEEP RECORDS!! Throughout your dealings with creditors, companies, and detectives, always write down the name of the individual you spoke with, their employer, the date and time, and a short summary of your discussion. Keep all of this information in a centralized location and make sure that it is in a safe place since it can be used as evidence in your case. While you may be more diligent at the beginning, important information may come to light later so be sure to track everything until all of your disputes are resolved.

Identity theft doesn’t have to ruin your life or your credit. By staying calm, getting organized, and taking these crucial steps, you can bounce back from this stressful situation and stop thieves dead in their tracks.

* Equifax, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, 888-766-0008
* Experian, P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, 888-397-3742
* Trans Union, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA, 92834, 800-680-7289

A few people have left me comments asking for information about how to recover or improve their credit after filing for bankruptcy. Although this is a situation that I encounter on a weekly basis, there is not too much one can do when faced with this difficult dilemma.

As easy as it is to say in retrospect, the best way to deal with this situation is to do everything possible to avoid bankruptcy. There are very few cases where it is the best option available and it will usually cause the most harm in the long run. That being said, if you have already declared bankruptcy, I hope you have at least one asset, such as a car, house, painting, etc., that is worth something.

When you possess a valuable asset, you can apply for a secured credit card, which means that the credit is backed by one of your assets and this item can be seized if you are unable to pay your balance. To help rejuvenate your credit, try to get a credit card like this as soon as possible and always be sure to pay it off in FULL every month.

If a secured credit card is not an option under your circumstances, you can ask a family member, girlfriend, boyfriend, etc. to piggyback on their credit. This means that they co-sign on a credit card or other small loan and are responsible for ensuring that you pay every debt according to the requirements. They must understand, however, that if you fail to pay, they will be responsible for your debts and may have their own credit score damaged as result of your actions.

After approximately 2-3 years of paying off your credit card or other small loans on time and in full, you may be able to get a loan for a larger item (like a car) at a somewhat normal interest rate. In addition, you may be able to refinance your car if you already have one to build more credit.

Declaring bankruptcy and overcoming the negative credit effects can take longer than you ever expected since the mark remains on your report for 10 years. However, with a few years of on-time payments and other positive attempts to re-build your credit and prove that you are not a significant risk, you should be able to overcome this dark period in your credit history. Since it is difficult to recover from bankruptcy and begin the uphill process of restoring your credit, consider seeking the advice of a non-profit credit counselor if you are considering bankruptcy or just declared bankruptcy.

As a former credit counselor, I know that most individuals have a misguided perception of credit and I am here to debunk some common credit myths and provide you with some free information about how to improve your score. Since it is an absolute fact that a higher credit score means better interest rates for car loans, mortgages, and other debts, these tips can translate into a few extra dollars in your wallet each month.

1) Approximately 35% of your credit score is based on past debts that are over 30 days late. This means if for some reason you are going to be late on a payment, do not let it slip past 30 days late.

2) Canceling credit cards can actually hurt your credit score, particularly if they are an old and established part of your credit history. Even if you no longer use a card that is ten or twenty years old, in most cases it is better to simply shred it since 15% of your score is based on the length of your history. In addition, keeping accounts open gives you a better debt to credit ratio, which makes up 30% of your credit score.

3) While not taking on any debt and paying for everything with cash seems like a logical choice for individuals who can afford this lifestyle, no credit means bad credit in the eyes of lenders. There is bound to be a time when you cannot buy something with cash, such as purchasing your first house, so make the effort to open at least one account and make purchases with the credit card occasionally.

4) Applying for too many credit cards at once is extremely detrimental to your credit score since every time someone checks your current credit status, it leaves a ding that lasts a year. When you suddenly start applying for a large amount of credit, it sends up a red flag that you are enduring some financial trouble you are prepared for or that you are accumulating too much debt.

5) Although teenagers are not always the most responsible with money, getting your child a credit card early in life can make a significant difference in the long run as it is paid off in time. There are a few excellent options for low-limit cards and prepaid cards, which will both help you child start building a positive foundation for their future credit.

6) And finally, avoid freecreditreport.com like the plague! It isn’t free and is a complete scam. If you want your credit report for free you can check all three major reporting companies every 12 months without any negative effects at the government sponsored site: annualcreditreport.com

7) Never lie or falsify information about your credit score! Your credit score is easily checked by anyone and you may even face legal action for lying about it on loan applications.