State consumer protection agencies enforce consumer protection laws and often make available consumer protection information to inform consumers of the state and help file complaints. Many state consumer protection agencies regulate credit reporting agencies and credit repair organizations as well collection agencies. State consumer protection agencies contact information by state: Alabama Consumer Affairs Division Office of Attorney General Alabama State House 500 Dexter … [Read more...]
The Federal Credit Repair Organizations Act – Full Text
February 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Federal Credit Repair Organizations Act prohibits a variety of false and misleading statements, as well as fraud by credit repair organizations. The Federal Trade Commission as well as the individual states, enforces The Federal Credit Repair Organizations Act. The Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection works for the consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace. This federal government department protects consumers from … [Read more...]
Credit Counseling Agency Cautions
January 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Using a reputable credit counseling organization can help some consumers get back on track with their financial obligations and help manage their budget better. Better financial management of existing debts will certainly help improve an individual’s credit history and credit score. But, credit counseling services are often not the solution they are advertised to be. Credit counselors should provide advice to consumers regarding managing money and debts, help develop a workable budget, … [Read more...]
Different Credit Scores
January 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
When an individual obtains a credit reports from one of the credit reporting agencies or from all three, they will see that there is quite a bit of information to digest. With more than one credit report, most of the information will be the same but there will also be some information that is different. The differences in some data from one credit reporting agency to another helps to explain why credit scores would be different from different credit reporting agencies. Unfortunately, … [Read more...]
TrueCredit.com Credit Report Monitoring Service Product Review
January 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
TrueCredit.com is a credit monitoring service provided by TrueCredit which is owned by one of the big three credit reporting agencies, TransUnion. Credit report monitoring services monitor your credit report for any changes and notify you whenever certain change occur. Monitoring your credit allows a consumer to look for errors that may appear on their report, as well as unauthorized changes that may indicate fraud. TrueCredit.com and some of the other credit monitoring services also … [Read more...]
Handling Credit and Credit Score Problems
November 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Credit has become an almost indispensable tool in our society. Almost everyone uses some form of credit whether it is in the form of credit cards, car loans or mortgages. Credit allows us to purchase goods and services by paying for them later which can be very convenient to buy big ticket items or stretch our monthly budget. But credit can cause money problems if not managed wisely. Money problems are often the immediate result of too much debt with unmanageable monthly payments. … [Read more...]
Severe Negative Information in a Credit Report
October 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
One of the four main components of credit data in a credit report includes public record information. Public records include items such as bankruptcies, tax liens, legal judgments and other legal proceedings recorded by a court. These records are often the biggest drags on a credit score. Some of these accounts may be able to be cleared up or removed from the credit history or credit report with a little bit of work. Most of these public records unfortunately, can not be altered or … [Read more...]
Credit Score Help and Non Profit Debt Consolidation Programs
September 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment
For some individuals, trying to improve their credit score and credit history can be a difficult task. Often the problem of improving a credit score is that the cause of the problem or low credit score has not be fixed. For these individuals, fixing the cause of the delinquent debt and bills, which is the predominant factor used to calculate a credit score is the number one issue to address. The delinquent debt payments are often the result of a mismatched budget. One of the best … [Read more...]
How Your Credit History May Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates
September 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Auto insurance companies often consider your credit report when they are determining the proper rate to charge you for your auto insurance. If you are shopping around for auto insurance, be aware that potential insurers may be looking at your credit report. There is a statistical correlation between consumer's credit history and possible auto insurance claims. Insurers assume that customers with better credit records are also more likely to be good risks for auto insurance policies. Not … [Read more...]
Bad Credit Options
September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Once your credit score is turned truly terrible and new credit appears to be unlikely, there are a variety of options to consider. First, don’t ever let bad credit get you down. There are millions of consumers who are having the same financial difficulties and struggling to review what options are left. There is always hope for someone who has a bad credit and bad credit score. Regardless of how bad a credit or debt situation maybe, there are always some actions that can be taken. … [Read more...]