Poor credit is such a common thing among Americans that the three major credit bureaus have introduced a method for helping consumers to get out of debt. The VantageScore system was introduced in March of 2006 and made available to all merchants who report to the three major credit agencies. Essentially, the point of this new system is to provide a more accurate and consistent credit ranking system for consumers.
In the past, the only credit scoring system was the FICO system, which is calculated on software developed by Fair Isaacs Corporation. The problem with the FICO scoring system was that you could have a very different score from all three bureaus as they each use their own method of calculations.
The new VantageScore system is supposed to create a more uniform method of determining credit risk. It combines new technology and the expertise of industry leaders on credit data to get an easier to understand and more consistent score for use by merchants and consumers alike. The score will be more like academic grading and range from 901-990 for the best credit and 501-600 for the worst.
The best thing about the new scores is that if you have little or no credit history, you can still get a decent score. To improve you VantageScore, always pay your bills on time. The payment history section of your credit report is an important factor in your VantageScore. So be sure that you do not take on more debt than you can handle
Also try to pay more than the minimum balance on credit cards and loan balances. Doing so will keep the principle down and prevent you from maxing out a card or defaulting on a loan. Even five or ten dollars extra per month can make a big difference down the line.
And check your credit report at least once a year for errors. You are eligible for a free report from all three agencies once per every twelve months. You would be surprised at how many errors there can be on your report. So get the facts straight so your VantageScore will be based on accurate information about you and your spending habits.
How To Check My Credit Score
So, the next step to getting yourself completely out of debt is learning how to clean up your credit file!
Many people think that by paying on time they automatically have "perfect" credit.
But that's not always true - if you have too much credit available to you if can hurt your credit, even if you don't use all of it. So can having high credit card balances, even if you pay on time every month.
You Can Repair Your Credit
Also, most people think - incorrectly - that once something bad goes on your credit report, it will automatically stay there for a long time. That's not always true, either.
Fortunately, there are ways to remove even the MOST damaging items on your credit report...and to do it legally and honestly!
Keep in mind that debt negotiation does go on your credit report, and it can lower your credit score. And that's where credit repair comes in.
The first step is to get a copy of your credit report. Even if you THINK you have perfect credit, it's still a good idea to get a copy of your credit report every year and check it carefully.
Because statistics show there's a good chance you'll find AT LEAST one negative item on your credit report!
But, just because you do find some negative items on your credit report does NOT mean your credit is automatically ruined forever!
There is nothing written in stone saying you must pay for your mistakes for the rest of your life - yet there ARE rules that require creditors to remove incorrect and damaging items from your credit report.
All you need to know is HOW to get them removed!
How To Repair Your Credit
One option is to hire a credit repair company. Unfortunately, there are a lot of credit repair companies out there that will charge you an arm and a leg. Some even use illegal tactics.
So, if you decide to hire someone else to repair your credit, please BE CAREFUL! Ask lots of questions. And do lots of research.
Fortunately, there are ways to repair your credit on your own. Once you know how to do it, credit repair is NOT that difficult at all. It does take some work, especially if you have a lot of negative items.But even the worst credit can be repaired if you do it correctly - and you keep trying.
Credit repair is not an overnight process, so it's a good idea to get started cleaning up your credit as soon as possible.
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when it comes to money. But you DON'T have to keep paying for those mistakes forever!
Both Rebecca Spitzer & Kris Bickell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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