Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Annual Credit Report



Annual credit report request form is required by an individual when he wants to check his credit ratings. It is very essential to avail the annual report due to numerous reasons the prominent among them is the detection of identity thefts. Annual credit report shows in detail the repayment pattern of a consumer towards the lenders to which he owes money. The annual credit report is the indicator of your borrowing and repaying habits for a particular year which acts as a guide for lenders while verifying your loan application.

Ordering individual company reports at different times during the year gives you a chance to monitor your credit report more frequently without having to pay for your additional reports. Ordering credit reports can help you be aware of your credit power or in some cases your lack of power. Ordering your free credit report is the first step to taking charge of your financial situation. Credit repair sounds scary, but it's not, the hardest part is getting started.

Consumers who qualify for a refund should receive a notice from Consumerinfo by email or first class mail within the next few months. The FTC staff has released answers to frequently asked questions available at www.ftc.gov/freereports to help Consumerinfo customers determine if they’re eligible for a refund. Consumers can also order their free credit reports by calling 877-322-8228 (toll-free).

Checking your own credit, placing a fraud alert or subscribing to a monitoring service does not cause a hard inquiry. Inquiries stay on your credit report for up to two years. Checking your credit report does not deteriorate your credit score: Checking your own credit report goes down in the credit report as a soft inquiry and hence does not affect your credit score. However if a lender or a credit card company checks your credit report, it goes down as a hard inquiry and may cost you five points.

Checking your score is necessary. Checking the information on your credit report on a regular basis can help in two ways. First, it can alert you to any fraudulent activity that has been taking place with your name or your accounts.

Check out our videos on identity theft and especially medical identity theft. Checking your credit reports should be good to tell you if everything there is OK. Checking your credit through the credit bureaus directly can cost you as much as $9 per report, although it differs from state to state. You can request that the report be mailed to you or obtain it online.

Check with your financial institution about the interchange fee that takes place. Usually, by selecting “credit,” your institution collects a small fee from the merchant. Check your state laws to see what you are guaranteed! Check your credit report at least once a year to correct errors and detect unauthorized activity.

Free annual credit report is a document that contains all your relevant personal and financial information such as your full legal name, your date of birth, and your social security number. It also contains your current and previous addresses, and current and previous employment information. Free yearly credit report helps you to keep a check on your credit standings in the market. By availing this report you can evaluate your credit conditions that can prevent you from bad credit report. Free instant credit report is provided by any of the three major credit bureaus. The credit report which is basically annual report of your credit history gives you the detailed information about your financial position in your credit dealings.

The following information is on your credit report such as your residence history, open accounts, derogatory reporting, public records, open accounts, closed accounts, outstanding balances, minimum monthly payment amounts, outdated ratings and inquiries. If you find errors or questionable activity, there are additional steps you will need to take in order to get the information updated and corrected.

AnnualCreditReport.com is a central source where you can order your free credit report and scores from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. In a few simple steps online, you can place your order and be on your way to reviewing your credit history and scores. Annualcreditreport.com and the nationwide consumer reporting companies will not send you an email asking for your personal information. If you get an email, see a pop-up ad, or get a phone call from someone claiming to be from annualcreditreport.com or any of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies, do not reply or click on any link in the message. AnnualCreditReport.com remains the only authorized source to get your free annual credit report under federal law today, however its usefulness only goes so far. The following free credit report offers are meant for those who have used up their free credit reports for the year from each of the 3 credit reporting agencies, courtesy of the federal government’s program.

Identity theft is happening every second in American and if you have a credit score, it makes you a target, which means everyone is now a potential target in the arena of identity theft. Identity theft: When a person gains access to your credit card details like the PIN or the SSN, it is called identity theft. A person can use your credit card and can substantially ruin your financial life.

Request that the fraud department flag your file with a fraud alert. You may also wish to consider asking the three agencies to put a freeze on your credit reports thereby locking out anyone seeking to open an account or fraudulently establish new credit in your name. Request and receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The three companies have set up a central website (annualcreditreport.com), a toll-free telephone number (1-877-322-8228).

Lender that you applied with is obligated to give your name of agency from which he acquired your credit information. Also he will have to furnish you with a valid reason for loan rejection. Lenders always check your report before giving approval. And if your loan denied, you can call for your credit report anytime. Lenders looking to issue credit in the name of someone with a credit freeze will be unable to access the credit history without your explicit permission.

Errors in your credit report can affect your credit score and, in turn, your ability to get a loan or to obtain a favorable interest rate. You are not required to order your credit score. Errors on your credit report can cost you in higher interest rates. Things on your credit report can last a long time, especially if you've ever declared bankruptcy.

Thank you for taking your time to read this article. Information shared here does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice. This article is intended to provide general information only and does not give advice which relates to your individual circumstances.

Gurmit is an insurance and mortgage expert. To get in touch with Gurmit Singh, please visit his website www.gurmitsingh.ca

No comments:

Post a Comment

 

3-column blogger templates(available in 4 different styles)