The New Laws Help You Re-Build Your Credit Score and Save Big $$$

By Dan O Spark

The credit report is a file with a collection of all the relevant financial information on each customer. In addition to the address and personal details, every application for a loan, credit card and payment history is recorded in the file together with all the payment history and whether the payments were made on time. The report also includes data on the legal history of the person, his law suits, arrests and bankruptcies. The credit reporting companies sell this information to businesses, insurance companies, potential employers and alike. This report actually tells them the person credit worthiness.

People with good credit report have easier time being approved for loans and credit and most of the time is paying smaller monthly payments for the same loan amount. Today's media is full with promotions and advertisements of credit repair services that for a fee, suggest removing negative information on the report to increase credit score even if this information is correct. These are usually scams that not only take your money, but do not and will not deliver that promise. Only a conscious effort with a clear plan to pay the outstanding debt is capable of improving the report and increase credit score.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) came about to protect the consumers from being taken advantage off by businesses and organizations, It puts clear demands and restrictions on the reporting companies and credit reporting agencies to make sure the information is accurate, meets the privacy codes and it is obtained and provided in a fair way. New addition that were just introduced puts the same responsibility on the individuals and businesses that report the information to the reporting agencies

The previous and new measures of the FCRA the reporting parties (organizations, businesses or individuals) have the responsibility to make sure the information in the credit report is not partial and is correct. They have to by these new laws to take all the necessary action to correct and keep the information they sell to businesses and organizations. Every consumer can take advantage of this law and contact the reporting agency demanding them to correct erroneous information

One of the first things you can do to correct the error and increase credit score is contact the reporting agency directly in writing and tell them why you think that the information on the report is not correct. It is a good idea to attach copies (not originals) of any supporting documents that prove your point. It is extremely important that the letter has all the details that identify you and the specific item on the report you are referring to. After that write clearly the facts and the reasoning you are disputing the information on this item.

If you identify that the source of the error or incorrect information is from the creditor, contact them directly in writing. Most creditors have an address to send complains to and it is located on their statements and documents. Write in this letter what are the reasons you dispute the information they provided and demand it to be corrected or removed and attach copies of supporting documentation. According to the new law the creditor has to inform the reporting agencies of your complaint and if they find out that your complaint is justified, they need to ask the reporting agencies to correct or remove the item from your credit report, something that for sure will increase your credit score? . - 31377

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