Personal Credit Report & Help Understanding Your Credit Score

A low credit score can translate into higher loan and credit card interest rates. But it can also inhibit your ability to secure insurance, school loans, rental housing, utilities, and even elective medical procedures. If you have had credit problems in the past, you can work to repair your credit on your own or by using a credit counseling agency.

Ask several agencies about services, fees and repayment plans before signing a contract. Beware of agencies that ask you to pay before services are provided, or that promise a quick fix, as it may take years to repair your credit legitimately. If you find errors on your credit report, you should correct them as soon as possible to prevent any negative impact on your credit score. To dispute an error, you may contact the financial institution that reported the incorrect information to the credit agency or go directly to the credit agency.

Provide all the necessary details in writing to explain the error. They will then have 30 days to investigate the error, submit any corrections needed to the credit agencies and provide you with a written response. Learn more about disputing information reported by TD Bank. To protect your credit in the future, create a budget to help you reduce debt and pay your credit obligations on time, every time. When you do spend money, spend it wisely. Consider fees, interest rates, and whether you can afford the monthly payments before you obtain new credit. The sooner you begin to re-establish good credit, the sooner you'll improve your credit score.

For many people, the idea of reviewing their credit report can be intimidating. In fact, almost a quarter of U.S. Millions of others have seen their credit reports but not taken the time to make certain their information is accurate. Mistakes in a credit report can affect all aspects of life, from interest rates to employment opportunities. Understanding your credit report, and making sure it's accurate, is important for more than just your financial health. A great place to start is right here, where you can see your free credit Report Card and score without paying a dime!

Your credit report is a detailed record of how you pay your bills, debts and other financial obligations. It reflects how much credit and debt you have, how many times you've shopped for credit, your employment status, bank account information and many other financial details about your life. Simply put, it is a detailed record of your credit history and worthiness. What's In A Credit Report,

Although each credit reporting agency (or credit bureau) uses a different format, all reports contain these 4 groups of information. Because each section includes specific information, it's important for you to review each section carefully and ensure accuracy and correct any errors. If errors are present, and chances are you'll have a few, it's up to you to correct them.

See How Do I Correct My Report for more. This includes your name, address, date-of-birth, Social Security number and employer's information. This includes all of your credit and loan accounts, including credit cards, mortgages and any other loans you may have. Bank accounts may or may not be included in your credit report.

However debit card accounts and some overdraft protection accounts may be included. This record includes all the times your credit is checked, loans applied for, new credit card applications and any other instances that your credit is checked (including apartment leases, cellphone contracts, utilities and more). These are considered "voluntary" inquiries.

Other times your credit might be checked by companies soliciting you for various products, including new credit cards or loans. These inquiries are considered "involuntary." Voluntary inquiries will affect your credit score, unless they are made by you. Your credit report will also contain public records and collection records. Public records include bankruptcies, lawsuits, liens, judgments, wage garnishments and foreclosures. Collections include the times a creditor has tried to collect overdue debt from you by sending your information to a collection agency or any other time you've been sent to a collection agency.

Your credit report is used by lenders, creditors, employers, utilities, cellphone companies and many other service providers to determine the level of risk you present. You may pay more or less for a service, or be denied altogether, depending on what's in your report. If you are applying for a loan, your interest rate is determined by what's in your report.

Lenders and service providers want to know if you can be trusted with additional debt, if you will pay them on time and whether or not you are responsible with your finances. Who Creates Credit Reports, There are three major credit bureaus in the United States. These are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Your financial transactions are usually reported to all three bureaus. However, it's important to check your credit report with each agency to make sure your information is correct.

In addition to recording your credit history, these bureaus use your information to determine your FICO (Fair, Isaac and Company) score. While your score will vary depending on agency, credit scores range from 300 to 850, with 850 being a perfect score. How Often Are Reports Updated, Your credit report may be updated daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the number of accounts you have and when those accounts are reported.

For example, if you only have one account and you are never late on any bills, your report will be updated every month. However, if you have many accounts and delinquencies, your credit report could be updated every day. If your credit report has the wrong information, it is up to you to report it to the appropriate bureau.

While the credit reporting agencies have a responsibility to report correct information, you do too. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) helps protect the accuracy and privacy of your information and encourages the bureaus to take action quickly when there is a dispute. If you find information that is not corrected, follow this two-step process to have it corrected.

Write the credit reporting agency and tell them what is inaccurate. The agencies have a responsibility to investigate your dispute within 30 days after receiving your request. The Federal Trade Commission has a sample letter for you to use when you find an error. Be sure to send copies (never originals) of all supporting material with your letter.