A credit report is a document that details the personal financial accounts of an individual. It shows the type of account, the amount that is borrowed or available along with payment history. The credit report can also show judgments, liens and closed accounts. It then calculates a credit score based on all of this information.
Check Credit Report Online for Free Annually
There are three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each credit reporting agency can have slightly different information so it is important to check all three agencies. A free credit report can be ordered on an annual basis without any impact on the credit score through the Annual Credit Report website.
If there is suspicious activity on the credit report or if a person’s identity has been compromised, he should consider signing up for a credit report monitoring service through one of the credit reporting agencies. This can trigger alerts when someone attempts to sign up for a new account or borrow money under the person’s social security number.
If incorrect information is found on the credit report, contact the appropriate credit reporting agency to begin the correction process. Depending on the complexity of the error, this may be resolved in a few days or it may take several months. Keep copies of all correspondence and follow up to be sure the credit report has been corrected.
Understand the Credit Score
A large portion of the credit score is based on the person’s credit and payment history with all accounts. If payments are made on time, the credit score will generally reflect the person’s financial responsibility by being higher. Missed payments, repossessions, bankruptcies and judgments can have a disastrous effect on the credit score of an individual. The amount of available credit in proportion to the amount of credit currently used as well as the number of inquiries can also affect the credit score of an individual.
Banks and others lenders will generally request a credit report before extending any credit to an individual. The credit score can determine the terms of the loan, including the interest rate, or may exclude the person from receiving an offer of credit. Though the number that constitutes an excellent score can vary from one institution to the next, a score of 700 or higher is generally considered very good or excellent. A lower score may not result in a denial of credit but will most likely create an increase in the interest rate or the amount of collateral required to secure the loan.
Maintaining individual credit to ensure an excellent credit score is imperative to a health financial future. Unless all transactions will be handled in cash, a person will need a good credit score to secure loans for housing, transportation and other personal and business needs.
Stacey Abler - Stacey Abler is a freelance writer and entrepreneur who lives near Atlanta, Georgia. She has successfully operated several businesses ...
