What's in Your Credit Report?
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by: leeroger2054
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Word Count: 499
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 Time: 12:18 AM
Maintaining a good credit report is important if you are looking to achieve financial goals in the U.S.A. Making large purchases, rentals, and investments such as businesses and property all require you to have a credit history, otherwise the banks and other relevant institutions involved would not have an indication of how well you will be able to pay off your debts, and as such the financial risk they are undertaking when partnering with you.
To make this easier for suppliers of credit, it is normal practise with each individual to have an associated credit history. Usually the FICO score is used to model your credit report in the States, which is a statistical model which uses your credit history information to build up a score, which is compiled from the information that credit issuers and lenders continually store and update.
How a Credit Report Works
Different weighting is given to different aspects of your credit history, such as your debt to credit ratio, your payment history (whether you have problems with timely payment on your loans, credit cards, home bills or mortgages), and the length of your credit history. Certain aspects are more important than others, for instance, your payment history is given more weighting on your credit report than your credit history. There are other important things which also impact your credit report, such as multiple credit card accounts, financial court judgements, and criminal history.
When you apply for finance of credit of any kind, the lender or partner will naturally use your credit report, and use an algorithm based on the information present to determine the risk involved in partnering with you. So is you are looking for credit, it is important to stay sensible and positive with your finances, because all of your financial actions will be logged. Importantly, the rates you pay on loans are also determined affected by your credit report.
Obtaining a Free Credit Report
It is much easier than you might think to obtain a free credit report. If you are a legal US citizen, then by law you are entitled to a free credit report once a year from the three major companies that deal with credit reporting; Transunion, Experian and Equifax. These three primary companies all have websites, toll-free numbers, and addresses for mailing, and searching for them online is the best way to start. There are credit advice websites also available to give you more information on each company and what they provide, and what (if any) charges are involved, should you require extra services.
While there are many websites that claim to offer free credit reports, be wary of them, since only one official website is authorised to make orders for your free credit report. However, there are many websites that offer you advice and support on making and utilising your credit report, and keeping a good credit history, so that you can achieve the greatest potential from your credit history, no matter how you are scored.
About the Author
Denise Beresford is a contributor to and blogger at blog.firstcredit.net. Firstcredit.net offers free reviews and allows you to examine the credit report offers from the major credit reporting agencies before you commit.
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