It’s been said that you can’t learn from your mistakes, but that’s not really true. You can always learn from them and learn how to prevent the same mistakes from happening in the future. This may seem like an impossibility, but there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your credit history remains positive. In addition to the things listed here, you will also want to check with the three main credit bureaus regularly. These bureaus are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
You can get copies of your credit reports at any time. This is very convenient because it gives you the opportunity to catch errors before they become major problems. It’s also a legal requirement to review your credit reports once a year. There are many situations that cause your credit report to be pulled or updated. So, make sure you review your reports regularly. The three major credit bureaus offer free credit reports.
It’s best to pay your bills on time. This reduces the risk of reporting inaccurate information. Paying bills in full decreases the amount of time it takes for the creditor to report your payment as paid. This, in turn, decreases the amount of time it takes for your score to drop. Be sure to pay bills late if possible. This is a good way to show creditors that you are serious about maintaining a high credit score.
Get rid of outstanding debt. If you can’t afford to pay off your debts, then you need to reduce your balances. It is not worth your time to seek a consolidation loan to pay off high interest debt. Instead, work to pay off the debt as quickly as possible. Even if you can pay off the debt immediately, this negatively impacts your score. You should also avoid applying for new lines of credit unless you absolutely have to.
Work to prevent credit card debt collection calls. If you can’t avoid receiving these calls, it is in your best interest to try to limit their number as much as possible. If you must call, try to do so after the initial call has been made. The person on the other end of the line may not be the person you’re trying to contact. When the credit card company learns that you have blocked them, they will most likely attempt to contact you again.
Be wary of debt settlement offers. A lot of scam artists will encourage you to sign up for a settlement program, offering a way to increase your score. While some of these companies can help raise your score, there is no real increase in your score when signing up for such programs.
Maintain a good history of paying all of your monthly bills. If you have avoided paying late fees, but have missed some payments, call the credit company and dispute the information on your account. Be prepared with all the documentation you need to dispute the account. Dispute the account in writing, mentioning any evidence that you will be able to provide to prove you are not behind in your payments. It is possible that you could end up with the same debt once your accounts are reviewed, but it will not impact your credit score. In the end, it will not hurt to make sure that you pay off a payment or two now and then.
Use the tips you have learned about how to improve your credit scores to give yourself an edge over other potential lenders. You deserve the chance to get the loan you need and to pay it off quickly. Keep in mind that there is no magic formula to raising your credit scores. However, by using the tips outlined in this article, you will take a big step closer.
