Friday, January 2, 2009

FUNDAMENTALS TO REPAIRING CREDIT

By Rob Kosberg

If you know that you are what is called a "credit risk," you probably are feeling that as a derogatory connotation. That can be the motivating factor for you to explore the return to good credit.

It is actually possible for you to travel the "repair road" with yourself as the driver. However, when setting out on this trip, you will need a triptik to break down the milestones on the way.

There are some basic steps that need to be taken to solve the credit problems that are occurring. Initially, know your credit score. A score over 700 is known to be "good." A 3 digit number under 700 can be problematic. Find out this information via your credit score.

You can gather this information by securing your credit reports. Don't be afraid to look at them. They will provide essential information. Arrange to get these reports from the Credit Bureaus. There are 3 credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free report from each once a year. There is a charge for the credit score. See www.annualcreditreport.com for details.

A business does not always report to the same credit bureau. Therefore, you want to see all 3 reports for comparison. It is possible that they may differ.

Review each report for errors after you finish comparing them. Then, you will need to DISPUTE THE ERRORS with each of the three bureaus. This will require patience and persistence.

Contact the credit bureaus in writing with a copy of the report, the errors and reason why you need to have it rectified. Remember to keep copies of everything you send. There's an old saying: "If it's not documented, it didn't happen."

This is the first information you need to have. Be prepared, there may be some surprises on those reports. Be persistent. - 16459

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