Check Your Credit Reports To Keep Things In Order
Check your credit reports to keep things in order
Knowing what’s on your report can make a huge difference
The commercials tell you to be sure and get your free credit report – but they don’t tell you how to decipher it.
A regular review of your credit report is vital to maintaining a solid credit rating and guarding against identity theft. Typically, a credit report contains collections, public records, personal identity information, a credit summary, account information, and inquiries. Equifax, Trans-Union and Experian, the three credit reporting agencies, collect information to show whether or not you’re a good credit risk.
But it won’t help you much by keeping an eye on just one credit report. It’s a good idea to review all three agencies’ reports at least once a year. Especially, if you plan on applying for and unsecured loan such as personal loan or a business loan.
It is required by Federal law that each of the three bureaus provide you with a free copy of your report each year. Once you’ve obtained yours, check the personal information to be sure it’s correct. Be sure that with your information, someone else’s isn’t mixed in.
The credit summary includes the type of credit, the amount of the highest balance on each account and the name of creditors. It also shows whether the account is open or closed. Creditors look at how you’ve made payments on the account. A large amount of past due flags with knock your debt-to-equity ratio out of line and hammer your credit rating.
Included in the section on public records will be judgments, liens and bankruptcies. This information remains on your credit report for seven to 10 years.
In addition, your credit report will show every inquiry that has been made into your credit history.
Your credit score is based on the length of time you’ve had credit, types of credit you have, the number of inquiries, your payment history and your outstanding debt.
Remember: checking your credit report will not damage your credit score. However, not checking it could.