Free Instant Credit Reports – Score

Matt Murren asked:




If you have had credit problems in the past, you might want to consider catalogs with instant credit as a way to improve your credit rating. These catalogs claim to be able to help you because they assist you in lowering your credit utilization score (which is the ratio of your outstanding credit to your available credit.) And, if you are like many other Americans, you likely are unable to pay down your outstanding debt. So, the only way to lower your credit utilization score is to raise your total available credit by getting credit somewhere.

Unless you are able to obtain new credit cards, there aren’t too many options available for you. One option, however, is to find a catalog that offers you instant credit. As you can guess, you will be expected to purchase items from the catalog in order to get your “instant” credit. One caution, however. Make sure that the catalog company is willing to report your account to the major credit bureaus. This is essential if you are looking for ways to improve your credit score.

There is a chance that you will be denied instant credit with certain catalog companies. But, if you are approved, you will be issued an approval or account number to be used when you place your order. You’ll be able to shop immediately because you won’t have to wait for a credit card to arrive in the mail. Many Catalog companies invite you to apply online where you will be issued your account number. Their websites will enable you to check your balance, place orders and make payments online. They also have customer service representatives available via phone to assist you with billing questions and other problems.

Catalogs with instant credit make it easier for the average American to buy items now and pay for them later. Of course, as in any borrowing situation, caution should be used before “charging” anything. A realistic approach needs to be taken, with the goal of improving your credit score being your number 1 priority. Don’t charge so much that you can’t make the monthly payments. This will only make your credit score worse!

Marian

Bart Newman asked:




How to Get My Credit Report?

Before you even file a claim for your credit report, make sure you have gathered all financial records and other identification that will serve as proof of your identity. Then, you can evaluate the various means at which you can reach the credit reporting agencies, whether it through the web, by phone, or through mail.

How to Get My Credit Report for free?

If you plan to seek a copy of your annual credit report via the web, there are websites that offer you access to these reports for free. You can follow the indicated steps to go over this procedure and make sure that you have input the correct information to ensure that the process is successful. Once the process is completed, you can access this report online and have it printed out so you have a hard copy.

You can also check online or the respective reporting agencies for their contact numbers so you can file request for your own copy via phone. As with the above step, you need to provide basic and financial information to prove your identity. After your initial phone request, expect your copy to arrive by mail within 4 to 5 weeks.

And finally, you can download the request form you got online and print it out for you to fill up with required information. Then, mail it to the respective mailing address. Leave up to at least 15 days of processing, such that you can expect your credit report copy to arrive within 4-5 weeks.

What To Do After I Get My Credit Report?

Once you have the information through your report, the next step is to find ways to improve your credit score, especially if you have a poor credit rating. Here are the steps in which you can improve on your score:

Securing your report copy from the 3 reporting agencies is your first step in making the necessary corrections. It will enable you to identify the areas in the history that you need to work on. Clean up credit by identifying errors in the report and addressing the issue right away to the bureau to ensure to update the information contained in your report or remove any false information. The information reflected on your report will greatly affect your chances of securing loans, so you have to improve your score. When you are already in a poor credit situation, the least you’d want to happen is to worsen your status. So, make sure to stop accumulating further debts until you have finished paying off previous debts and made up-to-date payments.

One should not stop at the question “How do I get my credit report?” But instead, you need to identify what use the report is for, what impact it could make in your financial standing, and how you can improve it.

Bryan