ComputerHunter.org

 

How To Establish Great Credit


Building a good credit history is important. If you have no reported credit history, it may take time to establish your first credit account. This problem affects young people just beginning careers as well as older people who have never used credit. It also affects divorced or widowed women who shared credit accounts that were reported only in the husband's name.

If you do not know what is in your credit file, check with your local credit bureaus. Most cities have two or three credit bureaus, which are listed under "Credit" or "Credit Reporting Agencies" in the Yellow Pages. For a small fee, they will tell you what information is in your file and may give you a copy of your credit report.

If you have had credit before under a different name or in a different location and it is not reported in your file, ask the credit bureau to include it. If you shared accounts with a former spouse, ask the credit bureau to list these accounts under your name as well. Although credit bureaus are not required to add new accounts to your file, many will do so for a small fee. Finally, if you presently share in the use of a credit account with your spouse, ask the creditor to report it under both names.

Creditors are not required to report any account history information to credit bureaus. If a creditor does report on an account, however, and if both spouses are permitted to use the account or are contractually liable for its repayment, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act you can require the creditor to report the information under both names. When contacting your creditor or credit bureau, do so in writing and include relevant information, such as account numbers, to help speed the process. As with all important business communications, keep a copy of what you send.

If you do not have a credit history, you should begin to build one. If you have a steady income and have lived in the same area for at least a year, try applying for credit with a local business, such as a department store. Or you might borrow a small amount from your credit union or the bank where you have checking and savings accounts.

A local bank or department store may approve your credit application even if you do not meet the standards of larger creditors. Before you apply for credit, ask whether the creditor reports credit history information to credit bureaus serving your area. Most creditors do, but some do not. If possible, you should try to get credit that will be reported. This builds your credit history.

If you are rejected for credit, find out why. There may be reasons other than lack of credit history. Your income may not meet the creditor's minimum requirement or you may not have worked at your current job long enough. Time may resolve such problems. You could wait for a salary increase and then reapply, or simply apply to a different creditor. However, it's best to wait at least 6 months before making each new application. Credit bureaus record each inquiry about you. Some creditors may deny your application, if they think you are trying to open too many new accounts too quickly.

If you still cannot get credit, you may wish to ask a person with an established credit history to act as your co-signer. Because a co-signer promises to pay if you don't, this can substantially improve your chances of getting credit. Once you have repaid the debt, try again to get credit on your own.

Do you need business or finance information? Visit Business Finance Information, FREE web site for those who want to learn how to achieve success in business and finance.







Google News - Top Stories

Times Online

Obama’s Plane Palin Problem
FOXNews - 1 hour ago
by Major Garrett Reporters covering Barack Obama heard the news aboard Obama 1 (the campaign for the first time chartered a second plane for the swelling press corps), just before takeoff.
Video: Raw Video: Schwarzenegger Praises Palin kcratv
“Tougher in Alaska” host Geo Beach discusses Sarah Palin Christian Science Monitor
The Associated Press - Los Angeles Times - Seattle Post Intelligencer - Bloomberg
all 5,254 news articles


KARK

Is The Red Cross Ready For Gustav?
WHIZ - 41 minutes ago
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans just 3 years ago and with hurricane Gustav heading in that direction. Organizations like the Red Cross are being asked if they are prepared.
HURRICANE RELIEF: Local Red Cross sends volunteers to Gulf Mid Columbia Tri City Herald
Woodland Red Cross worker headed to Texas Daily Democrat
WMBB-TV - WCTV - News 10 Now - DeSoto Appeal
all 193 news articles


KARK

Louisiana Prepares Evacuations as Gustav Threatens (Update3)
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By Jerry Hart and Brian K. Sullivan Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Louisiana prepared to evacuate parts of its southern coast as officials accelerated emergency plans for Gustav, the strongest storm forecast to hit the region since the deadly hurricanes ...
3 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina WJFW-TV
Tropical Storm Gustav Cancels Classes U.S. News & World Report
Bizjournals.com - WOAI - Daily Comet - Bayou Buzz
all 239 news articles


Reiser strangled wife over 'cavalier' remark
San Francisco Chronicle - 37 minutes ago
(08-29) 15:52 PDT OAKLAND -- Hans Reiser killed his estranged wife by strangling her after she made a "cavalier" remark during an argument over who should have custody of the couple's children, his attorney said today after the Oakland computer ...
Reiser sentenced to 15 years to life for killing his wife San Jose Mercury News
Judge accepts plea deal for wife killer International Herald Tribune
CNET News - Wired News - abc7news.com - San Francisco Chronicle
all 43 news articles


ABC News

Protests Rise in Thailand In Challenge to Regime
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By JAMES HOOKWAY and STEPHEN WRIGHT BANGKOK -- Waves of antigovernment protests spread beyond Thailand's capital Friday as clashes between police and demonstrators intensified, forcing the closure of several regional airports and disrupting rail ...
Thai protest alliance not so happy with democracy The Associated Press
US asks Thailand to end crisis through democratic means AFP
New York Times - guardian.co.uk - BBC News - Times Online
all 2,349 news articles

Google
 

Copyright 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base