The Value Of Credit Monitoring

Credit monitoring is a hands-on way to find out what is going on regarding your credit. It allows you a window into your credit report 24 hours a day to find out if there is any activity by someone trying to compromise your identity. It is useful if you have been a victim of identity theft or if you feel at-risk for identity theft.

This type of monitoring will continuously check your credit reports for you and alert you whenever any changes or additions appear. If a lender or creditor checks your credit files, you'll receive an alert. Credit monitoring does indeed offer you value, in that you will be alerted to changes in your credit report. If an identity thief is opening new accounts in your name, changing your address or otherwise causing changes in your credit file, then you will be notified of those changes.

150.00 per year, depending upon the provider. Monitoring typically allows you unlimited access to your credit report so you can keep track of your credit standing. Monitoring is considered one of the best ways to catch identity theft early. Credit monitoring or freezing your credit are measures that will help you keep your credit report free of errors or fraudulent reports. This type of monitoring tracks changes in your credit on a daily basis, so that you are immediately notified of any adjustments.

It is the quickest way to discover potential identity theft and to find out instantly who has been viewing your credit report. Monitoring is your protection as identity theft can seriously hurt you financially. Credit monitoring is used by consumers for one crucial reason, identity protection. These services are designed to immediately inform you of any changes to your credit report. It is a service that helps you restore and protect your credit from deceitful activity. Monitoring typically includes some type of credit repair, whereby any questionable negative items on your credit report are disputed and removed.

Emily Rusch, executive director of CALPIRG, in a statement. A credit freeze is a tool that allows people to freeze access to their credit history and scores, denying thieves the ability to open fake accounts in their names, CALPIRG said. CALPIRG said Jan. 31 is the last day to sign up for two things with Equifax: The Free Trusted ID Premier and the free credit freeze. The former provides one year of free services such as credit monitoring, which notifies consumers if their identity is stolen.

The latter is the free credit freeze. In addition to getting a freeze with Equifax, CALPIRG recommends that people freeze their reports with the two other major credit bureaus as well. 10 to freeze credit at each agency, the public interest group said it is worth it to prevent fraud.

To a small business, either a start-up or established, business credit cards can be very valuable financial tools if managed properly. Remember also, that because they're business credit cards, they are unsecured. Which means there is no collateral tied to them. But if used improperly, it can have a devastating affect on your businesses' credit profile, and hence, your business itself. Managing your business credit cards doesn't require an MBA from Harvard, or a financial specialist looking over your shoulder every time you plunk it down. But it does require careful monitoring, and plain old common sense.

Always apply at your primary bank first. Because you've already established a banking relationship which can pave the way for an easy application process. In short-they know you. Once you get the business credit cards, and pay them in a timely manner, it will increase your credit worthiness in the eyes of the bank.

This will be of significant help when you apply for additional business lines of credit later on. Never co-mingle your business credit cards with your personal credit cards. However, here's a little secret to the game. If you have business debt on your personal credit cards, transfer balance the debt to your business credit card and this will immediately improve your personal credit score by lowering your debt to income ratio. This is a huge benefit of being a business owner.

Once your business credit is established, you'll be deluged by special offers from credit card companies on a daily basis. When you're invited to apply and the offer is good, then apply. Remember this: Just because you have applied and received a business credit card, doesn't mean you have to use it immediately.

It's always a good idea to have extra 'Rainy Day' money available. Every business goes through ups and downs and having the money available can be invaluable during one of those down times. It's always easier to get money when you don't need it. By all means, use the grace period when paying your business credit cards. Most providers of business credit cards offer a 21-day grace period before payment is due.



This can be a big help in improving your cash flow, and it's built-in for you to use. Don't abuse it, and don't pay later than the grace period deadline, however. Like many business transactions today, you can pay your business credit card bill online. This may not sound like such a big deal, but when you think of the time and effort it takes to write out and mail a check, it's really a good deal. Especially since the mail can sometimes be unpredictable. Knowing you can choose the exact date your bill is paid, is priceless.