We work to improve your credit and help remove inaccurate and obsolete information from your credit report.
* We are not a debt consolidation or bill payment program. Federal law requires that any unverifiable, outdated or erroneous information must be removed from consumer credit reports by reporting agencies. NCR Credit Plus agrees to use its best efforts to provide these services, and will perform them in accordance with federal and state laws.
* Our warranty is designed to reassure you that our goal is to truly remove inaccurate and obsolete information from your credit profile and that if we can't, we will gladly refund your money. It's as simple at that!
* Our staff includes lawyers, accountants, underwriters, bankers and credit repair specialists and they apply creative solutions while adhering to the rules and regulations of the credit reporting industry.
* Our team keeps fully up-to-date on the latest consumer laws and we understand how to apply those laws to help you clear your credit report.
* Our Progress Status Section is designed in accordance with the latest website technology so you can see the progress of items that you’ve requested be removed and the status of each account as the process takes place. 24/7 anytime
* NCR Credit Plus acknowledges that its Authorized Representatives have been alerted to the sensitivity of the Customer Information. As such, NCR Credit Plus will use its best efforts to ensure that Customer Information will be handled in a responsible and professional manner.
* NCR Credit Plus has more than ten years of experience challenging the credit reporting bureau's and their methods.
* Though each person’s credit history is different, we usually begin to see results in as little as 45 days.
* We offer fees for individuals and couples as well as easy convenient payment plans.
* You’ll NEVER be charged a per deleted item fee.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Saturday, November 28, 2009
How Does Credit Restoration Work?
Credit bureaus insist that individuals cannot repair their credit without waiting years for negative items to be removed. Don't believe that. NCR Credit Plus has been doing this for a long time and in that time we have found that through continually refining and redefining our strategies, we have secured methods that provide optimal performance. Although the details of the process change as new laws are passed and regulations are added, the underlying principle has remained virtually the same.
Here are the four essential steps that make up the process of restoring your credit profile.
Step 1: We examine your credit reports
You begin by mailing or e-mailing copies of your driver license, social security card and a current bill with your current address, Document's MUST have same address as Drivers License. (PLEASE SEND DOCUMENTS IN A PDF FORMAT) to clients@ncrcreditplus.com. If you do not have a current copy (within 45 days) of your Credit Report we request you use one of these company's we recommend.
Obtain Credit Report
Step 2: You tell us which items to dispute
Your Credit Representative will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your documents and reports. We will go over your report in high details while you let us know which items you would like us to dispute. All account information will be avaiable for your access 24/7 online.
Step 3: NCR Credit Plus works your case
NCR Credit Plus begins to dispute your items by using its arsenal of credit restoration strategies and our experienced staff to challenge negative items directly with the credit bureaus. Depending on the number of negative items on your credit reports this step will be repeated for each subsequent loop through the cycle...
Step 4: Sit back and wait for results
The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute. Within those 30 days they must provide proof of the discrepancies on your report or be forced to delete those negative items. They will send you an updated credit report, once you receive those documents, you will then fax it to us. This cycle begins again, and we remove more negative items from your reports... Keep in mind that the credit bureaus will only correspond directly with you, not NCR . These updated reports are CRUCIAL for us to see which items were removed successfully. Once you receive updates forward them immediately to our office. By not doing so it will delay the improvement of your score.
24/7 Account Access
Stay up to date on all activity on your account 24 / 7 . You can log into your account, and visit our Progress Status Section and see exactly what is being done, when it was done, and whats next to do on your account.
Unlimited Investigations
There are no hidden fees with NCR Credit Plus. We give unlimited disputes and we do not charge per deleted item.
Cancel Anytime!
There are no hidden fees with NCR Credit Plus. We give unlimited disputes and we do not charge per deleted item.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
You are given the right to challenge inaccurate, misleading or obsolete information. We take on this challenge for you.
Here are the four essential steps that make up the process of restoring your credit profile.
Step 1: We examine your credit reports
You begin by mailing or e-mailing copies of your driver license, social security card and a current bill with your current address, Document's MUST have same address as Drivers License. (PLEASE SEND DOCUMENTS IN A PDF FORMAT) to clients@ncrcreditplus.com. If you do not have a current copy (within 45 days) of your Credit Report we request you use one of these company's we recommend.
Obtain Credit Report
Step 2: You tell us which items to dispute
Your Credit Representative will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your documents and reports. We will go over your report in high details while you let us know which items you would like us to dispute. All account information will be avaiable for your access 24/7 online.
Step 3: NCR Credit Plus works your case
NCR Credit Plus begins to dispute your items by using its arsenal of credit restoration strategies and our experienced staff to challenge negative items directly with the credit bureaus. Depending on the number of negative items on your credit reports this step will be repeated for each subsequent loop through the cycle...
Step 4: Sit back and wait for results
The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your dispute. Within those 30 days they must provide proof of the discrepancies on your report or be forced to delete those negative items. They will send you an updated credit report, once you receive those documents, you will then fax it to us. This cycle begins again, and we remove more negative items from your reports... Keep in mind that the credit bureaus will only correspond directly with you, not NCR . These updated reports are CRUCIAL for us to see which items were removed successfully. Once you receive updates forward them immediately to our office. By not doing so it will delay the improvement of your score.
24/7 Account Access
Stay up to date on all activity on your account 24 / 7 . You can log into your account, and visit our Progress Status Section and see exactly what is being done, when it was done, and whats next to do on your account.
Unlimited Investigations
There are no hidden fees with NCR Credit Plus. We give unlimited disputes and we do not charge per deleted item.
Cancel Anytime!
There are no hidden fees with NCR Credit Plus. We give unlimited disputes and we do not charge per deleted item.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
You are given the right to challenge inaccurate, misleading or obsolete information. We take on this challenge for you.
IS SOMEONE ELSE’S BAD CREDIT AFFECTING YOUR INCOME!
I would like to introduce you to our company NCR Credit Plus and how our Affiliate Program can help give you the edge to handle and complete more deals. Plus we pay you $50 for each referral that enrolls into the program. We have more than ten years of experience providing excellent credit restoration services to individuals.
We are now offering our premier credit restoration program to Mortgage Brokers, Loan Officers, Real Estate Agents, Financial Advisor’s etc that would like to incorporate our services to develop and execute more sales.
NCR Credit Plus is ethical and an affordable credit restoration resource. As an affiliate you will be offering a valuable service that addresses the needs of your credit-challenged consumers, and also showing your commitment to helping others by offering a solution for those credit-challenged clients.
Our success has been driven by our proven abilities in providing credit restoration techniques, organizational development of credit strategies, and customer engagement. We have built a dynamic client base and now are targeting companies, whose client's bad credit has affected their ability to close deals, for themselves as well as their company. With our dramatic results, 6 out of 10 clients you send our way will be loan worthy within the first 60-90 days. We average one of the highest fix/delete ratios in the industry with an average rate of 55% fix/deletions within the first 45 days alone!
Darren Herrington
Senior Account Manager
NCR Credit Plus
15 North Mill Street
Nyack,NY 10960
darren@ncrcreditplus.com
www.ncrcreditplus.com
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Late credit card payments drop in 3rd quarter
The 2009 third-quarter delinquency rate was basically flat with the 2008 third quarter, when 1.09 percent of card payments were 90 days or more past due. TransUnion measures credit card delinquencies at 90 days because three months is considered an indicator that the card holder will default, since it is difficult to make up that many missed payments.
Credit card delinquencies were highest in Nevada (1.98 percent), Florida (1.47 percent), Arizona (1.35 percent) and California (1.33 percent), the states hardest hit by the housing crisis. Rates were lowest in North Dakota (0.66 percent) and South Dakota (0.70 percent).
TransUnion figures showed the average balance on outstanding bank cards drifted down to $5,612 from the previous quarter's $5,719, and from $5,710 in the 2008 third quarter.
One reason for consumers to pay more attention to their credit cards was worry over potential job losses, as the unemployment rate climbed toward double-digits during the third quarter. It reached 10.2 percent last month.
Becker said cutbacks in credit availability and higher interest rates also played a role in cutting the delinquency rate. While the fear of having cards shut down and anger over the moves banks have made can't be easily measured, there's anecdotal evidence that those emotions played into the improvement as well.
Becker said lower savings rates in the third quarter also contributed to pushing down delinquencies, as people shifted from socking money away in the bank to paying down their debt.
The personal savings rate in September was 3.3 percent, compared with 3 percent in August and 4 percent in July, government statistics show. In May, the rate jumped to 6.9 percent, its highest point since December 1993.
The decline in credit card delinquency follows TransUnion data last week that showed the pace of growth for mortgage delinquencies also slowed in the third quarter.
It's too early to tell how the recession has affected consumer behavior long-term, Becker said, but the holiday shopping season will provide some clues. Last year, consumers cut back sharply during the holidays. The National Retail Federation, a retail trade group, expects total holiday sales will drop 1 percent from last year.
Also in play are strict new credit card regulations set to take effect in February. Banks have cut back on the number of cards they have issued and the amount of credit available ahead of that law. Becker said the law will likely lead to the creation of new credit products, and consumers will choose cards based not only on interest rates, but other features.
"The landscape of card lending is going to change fundamentally," Becker said.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Credit card delinquencies were highest in Nevada (1.98 percent), Florida (1.47 percent), Arizona (1.35 percent) and California (1.33 percent), the states hardest hit by the housing crisis. Rates were lowest in North Dakota (0.66 percent) and South Dakota (0.70 percent).
TransUnion figures showed the average balance on outstanding bank cards drifted down to $5,612 from the previous quarter's $5,719, and from $5,710 in the 2008 third quarter.
One reason for consumers to pay more attention to their credit cards was worry over potential job losses, as the unemployment rate climbed toward double-digits during the third quarter. It reached 10.2 percent last month.
Becker said cutbacks in credit availability and higher interest rates also played a role in cutting the delinquency rate. While the fear of having cards shut down and anger over the moves banks have made can't be easily measured, there's anecdotal evidence that those emotions played into the improvement as well.
Becker said lower savings rates in the third quarter also contributed to pushing down delinquencies, as people shifted from socking money away in the bank to paying down their debt.
The personal savings rate in September was 3.3 percent, compared with 3 percent in August and 4 percent in July, government statistics show. In May, the rate jumped to 6.9 percent, its highest point since December 1993.
The decline in credit card delinquency follows TransUnion data last week that showed the pace of growth for mortgage delinquencies also slowed in the third quarter.
It's too early to tell how the recession has affected consumer behavior long-term, Becker said, but the holiday shopping season will provide some clues. Last year, consumers cut back sharply during the holidays. The National Retail Federation, a retail trade group, expects total holiday sales will drop 1 percent from last year.
Also in play are strict new credit card regulations set to take effect in February. Banks have cut back on the number of cards they have issued and the amount of credit available ahead of that law. Becker said the law will likely lead to the creation of new credit products, and consumers will choose cards based not only on interest rates, but other features.
"The landscape of card lending is going to change fundamentally," Becker said.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
First-Time Home Buyers have until April 30th of 2010 to cash in.
First-time home buyers are cashing in on credit and getting the credit for spiking home sale numbers to new heights.
The National Association of Realtors says home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in two and a half years.
In Eastern Idaho, realtors agree, saying growing sales numbers are in part because of the government's $8,000 incentive to folks who've never owned before.
And now, they're extending the end-of-the-month deadline to next year and offering tax credit for move-up buyers.
Local home sale numbers show many first-time home buyers cashing in during crunch-time.
And one man who just moved to Idaho Falls says the extra $8,000 is helping form his family's foundation.
Matt Johnson lights the fire in a home he never thought he'd be able to afford.
"It's been about five years in the making. We've been saving, lived with the in-laws for a time or two," explained Matt Johnson, who moved to Idaho Falls from Salt Lake City.
As a first-time home buyer, Johnson says the government's $8,000 tax credit is money he can spend on fixing up his new foundation.
"It helped us look at homes that needed new carpet or a little bit more remodeling, so we could use that money toward simple upgrades," said Johnson.
Lenders are lending and realtors are selling.
In fact, when you compare home sales from October of 2009 to October of 2008, you'll see a 64-percent increase.
But, that increase is coming mainly from the lower price-ranges which make realtors think the first-timers tax credit may really be working.
"We weren't thinking the tax credit wasn't doing much for the first part of the year but it's really kicking up the end of the year," said Brett Magleby, who represents the Association of Eastern Idaho realtors.
Realtors hope now that the government's targeting move up buyers it will stimulate homes in the mid-price range that so far have been lagging.
Mortgage loan officers believe with interest rates at the bottom of the barrel now's the time to borrow.
"They're more than low. They're very favorable right now. There are qualifying criteria to get certain interest levels. But for a high quality buyer, they're reaching thirty-year lows again," said Jack Yasaitis, a Bank of Idaho's Mortgage Loan Officer.
For now, Johnson says owning a home is a dream come true and a new beginning for his family's future.
"It's nice to not have to pay rent and to know each month that the money you're spending is going toward your house, equity. It's going in your back pocket," said Johnson.
Realtors say it's taking homes on average about 30 more days to sell.
Although, folks are selling within three-percent of what they're asking for.
Congress renewed the first-time home buyer tax credit that was set to run out at the end of this month. Now buyers have until April 30th of 2010 to cash in. First-time home buyers still get up to $8,000 and move-up buyers can get up to $6,500 back.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
The National Association of Realtors says home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in two and a half years.
In Eastern Idaho, realtors agree, saying growing sales numbers are in part because of the government's $8,000 incentive to folks who've never owned before.
And now, they're extending the end-of-the-month deadline to next year and offering tax credit for move-up buyers.
Local home sale numbers show many first-time home buyers cashing in during crunch-time.
And one man who just moved to Idaho Falls says the extra $8,000 is helping form his family's foundation.
Matt Johnson lights the fire in a home he never thought he'd be able to afford.
"It's been about five years in the making. We've been saving, lived with the in-laws for a time or two," explained Matt Johnson, who moved to Idaho Falls from Salt Lake City.
As a first-time home buyer, Johnson says the government's $8,000 tax credit is money he can spend on fixing up his new foundation.
"It helped us look at homes that needed new carpet or a little bit more remodeling, so we could use that money toward simple upgrades," said Johnson.
Lenders are lending and realtors are selling.
In fact, when you compare home sales from October of 2009 to October of 2008, you'll see a 64-percent increase.
But, that increase is coming mainly from the lower price-ranges which make realtors think the first-timers tax credit may really be working.
"We weren't thinking the tax credit wasn't doing much for the first part of the year but it's really kicking up the end of the year," said Brett Magleby, who represents the Association of Eastern Idaho realtors.
Realtors hope now that the government's targeting move up buyers it will stimulate homes in the mid-price range that so far have been lagging.
Mortgage loan officers believe with interest rates at the bottom of the barrel now's the time to borrow.
"They're more than low. They're very favorable right now. There are qualifying criteria to get certain interest levels. But for a high quality buyer, they're reaching thirty-year lows again," said Jack Yasaitis, a Bank of Idaho's Mortgage Loan Officer.
For now, Johnson says owning a home is a dream come true and a new beginning for his family's future.
"It's nice to not have to pay rent and to know each month that the money you're spending is going toward your house, equity. It's going in your back pocket," said Johnson.
Realtors say it's taking homes on average about 30 more days to sell.
Although, folks are selling within three-percent of what they're asking for.
Congress renewed the first-time home buyer tax credit that was set to run out at the end of this month. Now buyers have until April 30th of 2010 to cash in. First-time home buyers still get up to $8,000 and move-up buyers can get up to $6,500 back.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
I have no credit, but I want to build credit
I have NO credit, but I want to build credit. I am just about to graduate college with two degrees and I need to build credit.
Answer:
If you have no credit and want to build your credit history, then secured credit card offers can be an ideal option for you. Intended specifically for people with bad or no credit, a secured card will report your credit payments to the major credit bureaus monthly. This will serve your purpose greatly if you make your payments on time and keep well within your spending limit.
Another impressive feature of the secured credit cards is that they don’t check your credit records. This means, that even if you can’t qualify for unsecured credit cards, you may get a guaranteed approval when applying for a secured card offer. You’ll just need to make at least a minimum money collateral deposit ($200-$300) into a bank savings account in order to be approved. Your deposit will be equal to your credit line and will be charged by your lender only if you fail to pay off your debt.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Answer:
If you have no credit and want to build your credit history, then secured credit card offers can be an ideal option for you. Intended specifically for people with bad or no credit, a secured card will report your credit payments to the major credit bureaus monthly. This will serve your purpose greatly if you make your payments on time and keep well within your spending limit.
Another impressive feature of the secured credit cards is that they don’t check your credit records. This means, that even if you can’t qualify for unsecured credit cards, you may get a guaranteed approval when applying for a secured card offer. You’ll just need to make at least a minimum money collateral deposit ($200-$300) into a bank savings account in order to be approved. Your deposit will be equal to your credit line and will be charged by your lender only if you fail to pay off your debt.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Monday, November 23, 2009
Home Loans & Auto Loans for Bad Credit
Are you ready to buy a home or automobile, but are having difficulty in finding a loan that you can afford and a lender who is willing to provide financing?
NCR Credit Plus has partner with a nationwide network of lenders who specialize in helping people that don’t have perfect credit. These special financing programs can provide you with a loan approval when others fail to produce the results you would like.
It doesn't matter what your credit score is , we will try to help. We have lenders that work with people that have good, fair, bad, or no previous repayment history, as well as with people that have zero or no money down.
So no matter how good or bad your credit is, please take a moment to complete Loan Application.
Home Loan Application http://ncrcreditplus.com/service/home-loans.php
Auto Loan Application http://ncrcreditplus.com/service/auto-loans.php
NCR Credit Plus has partner with a nationwide network of lenders who specialize in helping people that don’t have perfect credit. These special financing programs can provide you with a loan approval when others fail to produce the results you would like.
It doesn't matter what your credit score is , we will try to help. We have lenders that work with people that have good, fair, bad, or no previous repayment history, as well as with people that have zero or no money down.
So no matter how good or bad your credit is, please take a moment to complete Loan Application.
Home Loan Application http://ncrcreditplus.com/service/home-loans.php
Auto Loan Application http://ncrcreditplus.com/service/auto-loans.php
Texas tops 2009 Closing Costs Exclusive
Texas beats New York in 2009 as the state with the highest closing costs.
Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $2,732, according to Bankrate's annual survey of closing costs. The fees in the survey don't include taxes, insurance or prepaid items such as prorated interest or homeowner association dues.
New York had been the most expensive state for four years in a row in Bankrate's annual survey, with Texas occupying the runner-up slot. But this year, the two states swapped places. In Texas, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage were $3,855 in Bankrate's survey. New York's fees averaged $3,408.
The least expensive state was Nevada, at $2,276. In 2008, North Carolina occupied the bottom rung. (Here is the ranking of all of the states.)
The annual survey is conducted by obtaining online fee estimates for a $200,000 purchase mortgage on a $250,000 house in each state's most populous city, plus the District of Columbia. Because it is so populous, California was split in two: Bankrate surveyed closing costs for Los Angeles and for San Francisco.
The states with the biggest populations tend to have higher-than-average closing costs. This year, the four most populous states occupy the top four spots: After Texas and New York, the highest closing costs were in Florida and San Francisco. Los Angeles ranked 14th.
On the other hand, Illinois is the fifth most-populous state, and, as usual, it was one of the most inexpensive states for closing costs. Illinois ranked 43rd out of 52, with average origination and title-related costs of $2,486 on a $200,000 mortgage.
Texas is perennially at or near the top of the list because of the high cost of title insurance. In Texas, title insurance premiums are "promulgated," that is, the fees are fixed by state regulators. Title insurers in the Lone Star State can't charge more or less than the promulgated rate. On the purchase of a $250,000 house, the title insurance premium in Texas would be $1,644.
Of the seven lenders that Bankrate surveyed in Texas, none got the title insurance premium exactly right, although most were in the ballpark -- between $1,572 and $1,697. That's why these closing cost averages should be taken with a caveat -- they are, after all, derived from estimates.
New rules for good-faith estimate
Beginning Jan. 1, lenders will be required to give more accurate estimates of closing costs, as part of a revision of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA. The new rules are designed to prevent the lender from low-balling closing costs when the borrower applies for a loan then surprising the borrower with higher fees at the closing table.
Under RESPA, the lender is required to provide a document called the good-faith estimate of closing costs when you apply for a mortgage. The GFE divides settlement costs into two types: those charged directly by the lender and those charged by third parties, such as title insurance companies, appraisers and flood certifications.
Lenders will have to stand by that first category of fees -- those charged directly by the lenders. So a lender won't be able to put a $250 processing fee on the good-faith estimate and then change it to $500 at the closing table.
The regulations will allow 10 percent of slack in the estimates for third-party closing costs. For example, if next year a lender's good-faith estimate says that the title insurance, appraisal, attorney's fees and flood certification will total $1,500, then the final bill can't exceed that total by more than 10 percent, or $150.
The more-accurate GFE is scheduled to arrive next year. And there has been a substantial change this year: Appraisals cost more.
In Bankrate's 2008 closing costs survey, the average appraisal cost $296. This year, the average appraisal cost $362. The culprit, according to appraisers, is something called the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, or HVCC.
The HVCC is the product of a legal settlement stemming from a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general. As part of the settlement, the mortgage industry agreed to forbid mortgage brokers from choosing appraisers. The idea was to prevent brokers from pressuring appraisers into overvaluing houses so the loans could go through.
But critics contend that the HVCC weakened independent appraisers and strengthened appraisal management companies, which act as middlemen between lenders and appraisers. By adding a middleman, prices went up, critics say.
Pat Turner, CEO of P.E. Turner & Co. Ltd., the largest appraisal firm in Richmond, Va., said this summer that a bank-owned appraisal management company demanded that he cut his appraisal fee by $150, to $200. He refused, and he says the company will no longer hire him to do appraisals.
The kicker: "That lender charges the borrower $500 per appraisal," he says.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Nationwide, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage this year totaled $2,732, according to Bankrate's annual survey of closing costs. The fees in the survey don't include taxes, insurance or prepaid items such as prorated interest or homeowner association dues.
New York had been the most expensive state for four years in a row in Bankrate's annual survey, with Texas occupying the runner-up slot. But this year, the two states swapped places. In Texas, the average origination and title fees on a $200,000 mortgage were $3,855 in Bankrate's survey. New York's fees averaged $3,408.
The least expensive state was Nevada, at $2,276. In 2008, North Carolina occupied the bottom rung. (Here is the ranking of all of the states.)
The annual survey is conducted by obtaining online fee estimates for a $200,000 purchase mortgage on a $250,000 house in each state's most populous city, plus the District of Columbia. Because it is so populous, California was split in two: Bankrate surveyed closing costs for Los Angeles and for San Francisco.
The states with the biggest populations tend to have higher-than-average closing costs. This year, the four most populous states occupy the top four spots: After Texas and New York, the highest closing costs were in Florida and San Francisco. Los Angeles ranked 14th.
On the other hand, Illinois is the fifth most-populous state, and, as usual, it was one of the most inexpensive states for closing costs. Illinois ranked 43rd out of 52, with average origination and title-related costs of $2,486 on a $200,000 mortgage.
Texas is perennially at or near the top of the list because of the high cost of title insurance. In Texas, title insurance premiums are "promulgated," that is, the fees are fixed by state regulators. Title insurers in the Lone Star State can't charge more or less than the promulgated rate. On the purchase of a $250,000 house, the title insurance premium in Texas would be $1,644.
Of the seven lenders that Bankrate surveyed in Texas, none got the title insurance premium exactly right, although most were in the ballpark -- between $1,572 and $1,697. That's why these closing cost averages should be taken with a caveat -- they are, after all, derived from estimates.
New rules for good-faith estimate
Beginning Jan. 1, lenders will be required to give more accurate estimates of closing costs, as part of a revision of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA. The new rules are designed to prevent the lender from low-balling closing costs when the borrower applies for a loan then surprising the borrower with higher fees at the closing table.
Under RESPA, the lender is required to provide a document called the good-faith estimate of closing costs when you apply for a mortgage. The GFE divides settlement costs into two types: those charged directly by the lender and those charged by third parties, such as title insurance companies, appraisers and flood certifications.
Lenders will have to stand by that first category of fees -- those charged directly by the lenders. So a lender won't be able to put a $250 processing fee on the good-faith estimate and then change it to $500 at the closing table.
The regulations will allow 10 percent of slack in the estimates for third-party closing costs. For example, if next year a lender's good-faith estimate says that the title insurance, appraisal, attorney's fees and flood certification will total $1,500, then the final bill can't exceed that total by more than 10 percent, or $150.
The more-accurate GFE is scheduled to arrive next year. And there has been a substantial change this year: Appraisals cost more.
In Bankrate's 2008 closing costs survey, the average appraisal cost $296. This year, the average appraisal cost $362. The culprit, according to appraisers, is something called the Home Valuation Code of Conduct, or HVCC.
The HVCC is the product of a legal settlement stemming from a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general. As part of the settlement, the mortgage industry agreed to forbid mortgage brokers from choosing appraisers. The idea was to prevent brokers from pressuring appraisers into overvaluing houses so the loans could go through.
But critics contend that the HVCC weakened independent appraisers and strengthened appraisal management companies, which act as middlemen between lenders and appraisers. By adding a middleman, prices went up, critics say.
Pat Turner, CEO of P.E. Turner & Co. Ltd., the largest appraisal firm in Richmond, Va., said this summer that a bank-owned appraisal management company demanded that he cut his appraisal fee by $150, to $200. He refused, and he says the company will no longer hire him to do appraisals.
The kicker: "That lender charges the borrower $500 per appraisal," he says.
www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
Sunday, November 22, 2009
How Do the Credit Bureaus Interpret Your Score ?
You may have worried many times about what your score is, and how to keep it at the optimal level. Do you however, know how the credit bureaus interpret or calculate your score? It's very important that you know about such details when you want to repair your credit in a hurry.
Here is a glimpse into how the credit bureaus mark your credit score.
Regular Payment Is Most Important
As much as 35% of your credit score is allotted to your payment history. This is why it's extremely important for you to pay your bills on time. Every time you are late with a payment, you are hurting your score. Unfortunately, this damage cannot be undone even after you successfully repay the loan. This is why the first and most important thing about keeping your score up is to pay your bills on time.
The Indebtedness Level
The next important thing is how much you owe; 30% of the score is allocated to this aspect. There are two important facets here: (1) the amount of your overall debts, and (2) how much credit power you are using. For one, if your total debts repayment amount exceeds 30% of your income, you are trading on thin ice.
In the second case, say – if you are maxing out all your credit cards and also have 2 - 3 other loans, it looks like you are about to overextend yourself. This is something that the credit bureaus and creditors will not find desirable.
The Length of Your Credit History
This is something that you often cannot do much about. Your credit history accounts for 15% of your score. The creditors love to see a long period of history, because that gives them a better idea of what your financial habits are. You cannot make your credit history any older (or younger) than it is. However, you can try to keep it as flawless as possible. The credit bureaus and creditors like to see very little deviation in payments.
The Rate of Opening New Credit
This is earmarked as 10% of the score. One other thing that creditors and credit bureaus treat as a flashing red light is opening too many accounts at the same time. This will be seen as a negative trait even if you pay all your bills on time and carry minimum balances. Your score will also be hurt if you are changing credit card providers too often. This is interpreted a you being desperate to borrow, which does not throw a healthy light on your financial status.
Types of Credit You Have
This accounts for another 10% of your credit. There are two types of credit – (1) open-ended (i.e. "revolving") credit, which does not come with a fixed number of payments (such as credit cards), (2) and installment loans, which will be closed when the whole amount due is repaid. Creditors need to see that you handle both types of loans with responsibility and maturity.
Now, that you know how your score is calculated you will find it easier to improve on it. Whatever your financial past is, once you make up your mind to be steady and put this resolution in practice, your score will reflect it.
visit us http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com
Here is a glimpse into how the credit bureaus mark your credit score.
Regular Payment Is Most Important
As much as 35% of your credit score is allotted to your payment history. This is why it's extremely important for you to pay your bills on time. Every time you are late with a payment, you are hurting your score. Unfortunately, this damage cannot be undone even after you successfully repay the loan. This is why the first and most important thing about keeping your score up is to pay your bills on time.
The Indebtedness Level
The next important thing is how much you owe; 30% of the score is allocated to this aspect. There are two important facets here: (1) the amount of your overall debts, and (2) how much credit power you are using. For one, if your total debts repayment amount exceeds 30% of your income, you are trading on thin ice.
In the second case, say – if you are maxing out all your credit cards and also have 2 - 3 other loans, it looks like you are about to overextend yourself. This is something that the credit bureaus and creditors will not find desirable.
The Length of Your Credit History
This is something that you often cannot do much about. Your credit history accounts for 15% of your score. The creditors love to see a long period of history, because that gives them a better idea of what your financial habits are. You cannot make your credit history any older (or younger) than it is. However, you can try to keep it as flawless as possible. The credit bureaus and creditors like to see very little deviation in payments.
The Rate of Opening New Credit
This is earmarked as 10% of the score. One other thing that creditors and credit bureaus treat as a flashing red light is opening too many accounts at the same time. This will be seen as a negative trait even if you pay all your bills on time and carry minimum balances. Your score will also be hurt if you are changing credit card providers too often. This is interpreted a you being desperate to borrow, which does not throw a healthy light on your financial status.
Types of Credit You Have
This accounts for another 10% of your credit. There are two types of credit – (1) open-ended (i.e. "revolving") credit, which does not come with a fixed number of payments (such as credit cards), (2) and installment loans, which will be closed when the whole amount due is repaid. Creditors need to see that you handle both types of loans with responsibility and maturity.
Now, that you know how your score is calculated you will find it easier to improve on it. Whatever your financial past is, once you make up your mind to be steady and put this resolution in practice, your score will reflect it.
visit us http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com
What Makes Us Different ?
We work to improve your credit and help remove inaccurate and obsolete information from your credit report.
* We are not a debt consolidation or bill payment program. Federal law requires that any unverifiable, outdated or erroneous information must be removed from consumer credit reports by reporting agencies. NCR Credit Plus agrees to use its best efforts to provide these services, and will perform them in accordance with federal and state laws.
* Our warranty is designed to reassure you that our goal is to truly remove inaccurate and obsolete information from your credit profile and that if we can't, we will gladly refund your money. It's as simple at that!
* Our staff includes lawyers, accountants, underwriters, bankers and credit repair specialists and they apply creative solutions while adhering to the rules and regulations of the credit reporting industry.
* Our team keeps fully up-to-date on the latest consumer laws and we understand how to apply those laws to help you clear your credit report.
* Our Progress Status Section is designed in accordance with the latest website technology so you can see the progress of items that you’ve requested be removed and the status of each account as the process takes place. 24/7 anytime
* NCR Credit Plus acknowledges that its Authorized Representatives have been alerted to the sensitivity of the Customer Information. As such, NCR Credit Plus will use its best efforts to ensure that Customer Information will be handled in a responsible and professional manner.
* NCR Credit Plus has more than ten years of experience challenging the credit reporting bureau's and their methods.
* Though each person’s credit history is different, we usually begin to see results in as little as 45 days.
* We offer fees for individuals and couples as well as easy convenient payment plans.
* You’ll NEVER be charged a per deleted item fee.
http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com/
* We are not a debt consolidation or bill payment program. Federal law requires that any unverifiable, outdated or erroneous information must be removed from consumer credit reports by reporting agencies. NCR Credit Plus agrees to use its best efforts to provide these services, and will perform them in accordance with federal and state laws.
* Our warranty is designed to reassure you that our goal is to truly remove inaccurate and obsolete information from your credit profile and that if we can't, we will gladly refund your money. It's as simple at that!
* Our staff includes lawyers, accountants, underwriters, bankers and credit repair specialists and they apply creative solutions while adhering to the rules and regulations of the credit reporting industry.
* Our team keeps fully up-to-date on the latest consumer laws and we understand how to apply those laws to help you clear your credit report.
* Our Progress Status Section is designed in accordance with the latest website technology so you can see the progress of items that you’ve requested be removed and the status of each account as the process takes place. 24/7 anytime
* NCR Credit Plus acknowledges that its Authorized Representatives have been alerted to the sensitivity of the Customer Information. As such, NCR Credit Plus will use its best efforts to ensure that Customer Information will be handled in a responsible and professional manner.
* NCR Credit Plus has more than ten years of experience challenging the credit reporting bureau's and their methods.
* Though each person’s credit history is different, we usually begin to see results in as little as 45 days.
* We offer fees for individuals and couples as well as easy convenient payment plans.
* You’ll NEVER be charged a per deleted item fee.
http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com/
Weird stuff that hurts your credit
What seems smart, like moving a balance to a lower-interest credit card, can ding your credit scores. Here are some of the other hidden threats to your credit and how you can fight back.
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One of the things that drives people nuts about credit scores is how they react when you close an account.
A Client named Charles put it this way in an e-mail:
"You say . . . that canceling a credit card, even one that has been kept in good order, can negatively impact your FICO score. This seems unreasonable, even unfair, almost un-American. Is there some reason that makes it all right for the scorekeepers to do this?"
I'm not sure about "un-American," but it certainly can seem unreasonable or unfair until you understand a bit more about how credit scoring works.
Losing points for voluntarily closing accounts is just one of the unexpected ways you can hurt your credit scores, those three-digit numbers that lenders use to gauge your creditworthiness.
You also can get dinged for:
* Opening accounts, both when you apply and for as long as a year afterward.
* Transferring credit card balances.
* Settling debts.
* Using "limitless" cards.
* Incurring library fines, parking tickets or other penalties seemingly unrelated to credit.
Here's what you need to know and what you can do to minimize unintentional damage to your scores.
Among all the bankrupts, you're the best!
The FICO credit-scoring system, which is the most widely used, groups together people with similar histories when rating them. These groups are called score cards.
If you have a bankruptcy on your report, for example, you'll be grouped on a score card with other bankrupts. Your credit habits may look pretty good compared with theirs, but if the bankruptcy were to disappear from your record, you'd be lumped in with people who have stronger histories. Your credit behavior might not look so good compared with this new group.
Something similar apparently happened to Jessica Lopez, who had $62,000 of credit card debt and a 710 FICO score. After paying off $19,000 of debt in a few months, her score rose to 726. A few weeks later, though, her score suddenly plunged to 686.
Such abrupt drops can often be traced to a negative item, like a delinquency or a bankruptcy, disappearing from a borrower's credit report. In this case, though, the change was even more subtle.
Here's how Barry Paperno, the manager of customer service for Fair Isaac -- the company that created the FICO -- explains it:
Identity theft and your credit scores
"Jessica had opened a new account (a year previously) which, at that time, put her in a different scoring group consisting of consumers who had newly opened accounts on their credit files. Then when this recently opened account had aged enough to take her out of this scoring group and put her into one with consumers who had not opened any accounts recently, her score dropped."
There's not much you can do about this quirk in the scoring formula, other than brace for the potential effect. The good news: Georgescu's score recovered within a few months, as Paperno had predicted. The key was continuing to pay down debt and holding off on opening any new accounts.
(Keeping your balances low, by the way, has become even more important since Fair Isaac rolled out the latest version of the score, FICO 08.)
Don't transfer your problems
Lower interest rates are generally better when you're trying to pay off debt, but taking advantage of a balance-transfer offer can wallop your credit scores in a number of ways.
Just opening a credit card account to take advantage of the offer can ding your scores by 5 points or so. Transferring your balance to a card with a lower limit can hurt your scores, as can consolidating debt.
That's because the FICO model is heavily influenced by your "credit utilization ratio," the portion of your available credit limit you're actually using. The formula likes to see a wide gap between your balances and your limits. Transferring a balance from a high-limit card to a lower-limit card makes it look like you're closer to maxing out that second card, and the scores can react negatively.
Become a member of NCR Credit Restoration Group http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com/
To put it simply: The FICO formula typically would rather see $1,000 balances on five cards than a $5,000 balance on one card.
You can compound the damage to your scores by closing the card from which you transferred the balance. Closing the old account trims the amount of available credit that's used in the credit-scoring formula.
If you're planning to take advantage of a balance-transfer offer, read the fine print and consider the following:
* Limit the number of accounts you open. If you want to improve your credit scores, don't keep bouncing your balances from card to card.
* Pay down your debt. Use the lower rate as an opportunity to reduce your debt load. Paying off debt is good for your wallet and good for your credit scores.
Settling debts
For years, a glitch in the FICO formula often penalized folks for paying old debts that had been charged off and sent to collection agencies. That glitch finally got fixed, as I wrote in "When paying bills can hurt your credit."
But you can still do substantial damage to your scores if you settle a current debt for less than you owe. If an account hasn't been charged off and you're dealing with the original creditor, Fair Isaac officials say, a settlement can be worse than leaving the account open and unpaid. Of course, leaving an account unpaid will eventually result in a charge-off and a referral to a collection agency, which isn't good for your scores, either.
advertisement
One of the things that drives people nuts about credit scores is how they react when you close an account.
A Client named Charles put it this way in an e-mail:
"You say . . . that canceling a credit card, even one that has been kept in good order, can negatively impact your FICO score. This seems unreasonable, even unfair, almost un-American. Is there some reason that makes it all right for the scorekeepers to do this?"
I'm not sure about "un-American," but it certainly can seem unreasonable or unfair until you understand a bit more about how credit scoring works.
Losing points for voluntarily closing accounts is just one of the unexpected ways you can hurt your credit scores, those three-digit numbers that lenders use to gauge your creditworthiness.
You also can get dinged for:
* Opening accounts, both when you apply and for as long as a year afterward.
* Transferring credit card balances.
* Settling debts.
* Using "limitless" cards.
* Incurring library fines, parking tickets or other penalties seemingly unrelated to credit.
Here's what you need to know and what you can do to minimize unintentional damage to your scores.
Among all the bankrupts, you're the best!
The FICO credit-scoring system, which is the most widely used, groups together people with similar histories when rating them. These groups are called score cards.
If you have a bankruptcy on your report, for example, you'll be grouped on a score card with other bankrupts. Your credit habits may look pretty good compared with theirs, but if the bankruptcy were to disappear from your record, you'd be lumped in with people who have stronger histories. Your credit behavior might not look so good compared with this new group.
Something similar apparently happened to Jessica Lopez, who had $62,000 of credit card debt and a 710 FICO score. After paying off $19,000 of debt in a few months, her score rose to 726. A few weeks later, though, her score suddenly plunged to 686.
Such abrupt drops can often be traced to a negative item, like a delinquency or a bankruptcy, disappearing from a borrower's credit report. In this case, though, the change was even more subtle.
Here's how Barry Paperno, the manager of customer service for Fair Isaac -- the company that created the FICO -- explains it:
Identity theft and your credit scores
"Jessica had opened a new account (a year previously) which, at that time, put her in a different scoring group consisting of consumers who had newly opened accounts on their credit files. Then when this recently opened account had aged enough to take her out of this scoring group and put her into one with consumers who had not opened any accounts recently, her score dropped."
There's not much you can do about this quirk in the scoring formula, other than brace for the potential effect. The good news: Georgescu's score recovered within a few months, as Paperno had predicted. The key was continuing to pay down debt and holding off on opening any new accounts.
(Keeping your balances low, by the way, has become even more important since Fair Isaac rolled out the latest version of the score, FICO 08.)
Don't transfer your problems
Lower interest rates are generally better when you're trying to pay off debt, but taking advantage of a balance-transfer offer can wallop your credit scores in a number of ways.
Just opening a credit card account to take advantage of the offer can ding your scores by 5 points or so. Transferring your balance to a card with a lower limit can hurt your scores, as can consolidating debt.
That's because the FICO model is heavily influenced by your "credit utilization ratio," the portion of your available credit limit you're actually using. The formula likes to see a wide gap between your balances and your limits. Transferring a balance from a high-limit card to a lower-limit card makes it look like you're closer to maxing out that second card, and the scores can react negatively.
Become a member of NCR Credit Restoration Group http://ncrcreditplus.ning.com/
To put it simply: The FICO formula typically would rather see $1,000 balances on five cards than a $5,000 balance on one card.
You can compound the damage to your scores by closing the card from which you transferred the balance. Closing the old account trims the amount of available credit that's used in the credit-scoring formula.
If you're planning to take advantage of a balance-transfer offer, read the fine print and consider the following:
* Limit the number of accounts you open. If you want to improve your credit scores, don't keep bouncing your balances from card to card.
* Pay down your debt. Use the lower rate as an opportunity to reduce your debt load. Paying off debt is good for your wallet and good for your credit scores.
Settling debts
For years, a glitch in the FICO formula often penalized folks for paying old debts that had been charged off and sent to collection agencies. That glitch finally got fixed, as I wrote in "When paying bills can hurt your credit."
But you can still do substantial damage to your scores if you settle a current debt for less than you owe. If an account hasn't been charged off and you're dealing with the original creditor, Fair Isaac officials say, a settlement can be worse than leaving the account open and unpaid. Of course, leaving an account unpaid will eventually result in a charge-off and a referral to a collection agency, which isn't good for your scores, either.
Raising your FICO credit score
It’s important to note that raising your FICO credit score is a bit like losing weight: It takes time and there is no quick fix. In fact, quick-fix efforts can backfire. The best advice is to manage credit responsibly over time. See how much money you can save by just following these tips and raising your credit score.
Payment History Tips
* Pay your bills on time.
Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your FICO score.
* If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your credit score.
* Be aware that paying off a collection account will not remove it from your credit report.
It will stay on your report for seven years.
* If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor.
This won't improve your credit score immediately, but if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will get better over time.
Amounts Owed Tips
* Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit” Below 30%.
High outstanding debt can affect a credit score.
* Pay off debt rather than moving it around.
The most effective way to improve your credit score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit. In fact, owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your score.
* Don't close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score.
* Don't open a number of new credit cards that you don't need, just to increase your available credit.
This approach could backfire and actually lower your credit score.
Length of Credit History Tips
* If you have been managing credit for a short time, don't open a lot of new accounts too rapidly.
New accounts will lower your average account age, which will have a larger effect on your score if you don't have a lot of other credit information. Also, rapid account buildup can look risky if you are a new credit user.
New Credit Tips
* Do your rate shopping for a given loan within a focused period of time.
FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur.
* Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems.
Opening new accounts responsibly and paying them off on time will raise your credit score in the long term.
* Note that it's OK to request and check your own credit report.
This won't affect your score, as long as you order your credit report directly from the credit reporting agency or through an organization authorized to provide credit reports to consumers.
Types of Credit Use Tips
* Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.
Don't open accounts just to have a better credit mix - it probably won't raise your credit score.
* Have credit cards - but manage them responsibly.
In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and paying timely payments) will raise your credit score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
* Note that closing an account doesn't make it go away.
A closed account will still show up on your credit report, and may be considered by the score.
www.ncrcreditplus.com
Payment History Tips
* Pay your bills on time.
Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your FICO score.
* If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your credit score.
* Be aware that paying off a collection account will not remove it from your credit report.
It will stay on your report for seven years.
* If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor.
This won't improve your credit score immediately, but if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will get better over time.
Amounts Owed Tips
* Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit” Below 30%.
High outstanding debt can affect a credit score.
* Pay off debt rather than moving it around.
The most effective way to improve your credit score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit. In fact, owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your score.
* Don't close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score.
* Don't open a number of new credit cards that you don't need, just to increase your available credit.
This approach could backfire and actually lower your credit score.
Length of Credit History Tips
* If you have been managing credit for a short time, don't open a lot of new accounts too rapidly.
New accounts will lower your average account age, which will have a larger effect on your score if you don't have a lot of other credit information. Also, rapid account buildup can look risky if you are a new credit user.
New Credit Tips
* Do your rate shopping for a given loan within a focused period of time.
FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur.
* Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems.
Opening new accounts responsibly and paying them off on time will raise your credit score in the long term.
* Note that it's OK to request and check your own credit report.
This won't affect your score, as long as you order your credit report directly from the credit reporting agency or through an organization authorized to provide credit reports to consumers.
Types of Credit Use Tips
* Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.
Don't open accounts just to have a better credit mix - it probably won't raise your credit score.
* Have credit cards - but manage them responsibly.
In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and paying timely payments) will raise your credit score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
* Note that closing an account doesn't make it go away.
A closed account will still show up on your credit report, and may be considered by the score.
www.ncrcreditplus.com
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hey, it's not my bill to pay !
Dear Debt Adviser,
A debt collector called me last week about a debt from 2002! I know this is not my debt. It's for a phone bill from a different state! They had my Social Security number and everything. This is a debt that showed up on my credit report a few years back and I notified the credit bureau that it wasn't mine. They supposedly reviewed it and the matter was to have been resolved, but I never got any paperwork. Now this debt collector is calling and harassing my family and sending me notices. What do I do?
Do I have to pay for another credit report and file a complaint again? This is so upsetting and really causing a lot of stress for me. Can you steer me in the right direction? Thanks so much!
-- Amy
A:
Dear Amy,
I know how upset you must feel. Having a collector harass you out of the blue is a lot like being the victim of an assault or a crime. Will anyone believe you? How do you prove your innocence? And it is so embarrassing for most of us.
Fortunately, the law is on your side. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, says you have 30 days to respond to a collection attempt and you are well within your rights to dispute the alleged debt. The collector might have the wrong person, or you could be the victim of a scam to get money for a bogus bill. Either way, you have the right to have the collection agency prove that you owe the money.
All you need to do is ask that they provide proof of the debt. Write to them using certified mail, with a return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything and notes of any calls. Demand communication through the mail. Having information mailed opens any possible scammers to mail fraud charges and ups the ante for them. For more tips regarding the FDCPA, go to the Federal Trade Commission's Web site or search under FDCPA.
When you dispute the bill, the collector must stop all collection activity and send you proof before reinitiating contact. If they violate this provision, you can have them sued.
As for your credit report, you no longer have to pay for your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. All you need to do is visit AnnualCreditReport.com and you can receive a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion absolutely free with no strings attached once every year. I typically recommend that requests for reports be spaced out throughout the year rather than getting all three at once, unless it is necessary to see everything that is being reported at one time. Getting all three right away would probably make the most sense for your current situation, but going forward you could space out your review of each bureau's report throughout the year.
I want you to take a look at your credit reports and see if the phone bill debt shows up as "in collection," or for that matter at all. Because this isn't your bill, you need to again dispute the debt with the bureau, or you can dispute it directly with the creditor that reported it. The dispute process will be spelled out in the materials you get from the bureaus. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the credit bureau investigate the dispute and if there isn't sufficient proof that the debt is yours, it must be removed. I also suggest that you write to the creditor and tell that firm to stop reporting debt incorrectly.
Errors on credit reports are not unusual for the simple reason that billions of pieces of information are reported, mostly by computers, and mistakes are bound to happen. Still, that doesn't help your sinking stomach when the phone rings. Once you have disputed the bill and sent your letters, screen your calls with caller ID or an answering machine. If the harassment continues, see an attorney. They just love dealing with collectors who are bullies and mistaken. And that will be the end of that tune!
Good luck! www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
A debt collector called me last week about a debt from 2002! I know this is not my debt. It's for a phone bill from a different state! They had my Social Security number and everything. This is a debt that showed up on my credit report a few years back and I notified the credit bureau that it wasn't mine. They supposedly reviewed it and the matter was to have been resolved, but I never got any paperwork. Now this debt collector is calling and harassing my family and sending me notices. What do I do?
Do I have to pay for another credit report and file a complaint again? This is so upsetting and really causing a lot of stress for me. Can you steer me in the right direction? Thanks so much!
-- Amy
A:
Dear Amy,
I know how upset you must feel. Having a collector harass you out of the blue is a lot like being the victim of an assault or a crime. Will anyone believe you? How do you prove your innocence? And it is so embarrassing for most of us.
Fortunately, the law is on your side. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, says you have 30 days to respond to a collection attempt and you are well within your rights to dispute the alleged debt. The collector might have the wrong person, or you could be the victim of a scam to get money for a bogus bill. Either way, you have the right to have the collection agency prove that you owe the money.
All you need to do is ask that they provide proof of the debt. Write to them using certified mail, with a return receipt requested. Keep copies of everything and notes of any calls. Demand communication through the mail. Having information mailed opens any possible scammers to mail fraud charges and ups the ante for them. For more tips regarding the FDCPA, go to the Federal Trade Commission's Web site or search under FDCPA.
When you dispute the bill, the collector must stop all collection activity and send you proof before reinitiating contact. If they violate this provision, you can have them sued.
As for your credit report, you no longer have to pay for your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. All you need to do is visit AnnualCreditReport.com and you can receive a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion absolutely free with no strings attached once every year. I typically recommend that requests for reports be spaced out throughout the year rather than getting all three at once, unless it is necessary to see everything that is being reported at one time. Getting all three right away would probably make the most sense for your current situation, but going forward you could space out your review of each bureau's report throughout the year.
I want you to take a look at your credit reports and see if the phone bill debt shows up as "in collection," or for that matter at all. Because this isn't your bill, you need to again dispute the debt with the bureau, or you can dispute it directly with the creditor that reported it. The dispute process will be spelled out in the materials you get from the bureaus. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the credit bureau investigate the dispute and if there isn't sufficient proof that the debt is yours, it must be removed. I also suggest that you write to the creditor and tell that firm to stop reporting debt incorrectly.
Errors on credit reports are not unusual for the simple reason that billions of pieces of information are reported, mostly by computers, and mistakes are bound to happen. Still, that doesn't help your sinking stomach when the phone rings. Once you have disputed the bill and sent your letters, screen your calls with caller ID or an answering machine. If the harassment continues, see an attorney. They just love dealing with collectors who are bullies and mistaken. And that will be the end of that tune!
Good luck! www.ncrcreditplus.com 866 4696599
How Credit Affects You?
Your credit score may look like a harmless three-digit number, but don’t be fooled. A good credit score can be your ticket to the best interest rates whenever you borrow money. A bad credit score, on the other hand can hurt you in many different ways.
What Is "Bad Credit?"
Many people who have bad credit often find themselves in difficult situations financially. But what exactly does it mean to have "bad credit," "blemished credit," or "less-than-perfect credit?" Well, it can mean a few things. A person can have bad credit from not paying their credit card bills or monthly mortgage payments on time or missing them altogether.
It may be that you shared an account or two with your spouse who had bad borrowing habits which affected your credit. Or it could be that you've gone through a bankruptcy or foreclosure process.
Your credit score is affected by numerous things such as whether you pay your bills on time, whether or not you borrow a lot of money from numerous accounts, the amount of time you've been borrowing, and the types of credit you're using (eg. auto loan, mortgage, credit cards, etc.) The more negative marks you have on your credit report (such as late payments, bankruptcies, etc.), the lower your credit score.
How Can Having Bad Credit Hurt You?
Having a poor credit history or a low credit score can seriously affect you financially. One of the things that can happen is that you could be denied credit. A low credit score indicates to lenders that you are a high-risk borrower and they may not be willing to lend you money.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Having poor credit is an uncomfortable subject for many. And in order to do something about it, you have to first acknowledge the problem. Don't lose yourself in a sense of denial. Once you accept that you're having difficulty, it's easier to take steps to improve your situation.
If you do nothing else, the most important thing you can do to improve your credit score is join NCR Credit Buillding Program. We present each client with a specific action plan, where we advise specific / personalized credit strategies that you can utilize to maximize a strong, healthy credit profile. We will structure a plan that will consist of deleting negative items as well as establishing new lines of credit.
What happens when you apply for credit.
When you apply for credit, you authorize the lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how voluntary inquiries appear on your credit report.
The inquiries section of your credit report contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both voluntary inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and involuntary inquiries, such as when lenders order your credit report to offer you a pre-approved credit card.
Here are some of the areas where bad credit can affect you:
Mortgages
If you have a credit score of 720 and above, you will likely be able to receive a lender’s best rate on a mortgage or home equity loan. Between 675 and 719 you could end up having to pay up to half a percentage more than someone in the top category. Between 620 and 674, you may need to provide more documentation than those with higher scores and could end up paying as much as 2 percent more than borrowers with excellent credit. Below 620 you’re considered “sub-prime” meaning that you are considered to have less-than-perfect credit and it may be more difficult for you to find a lender. You could also be charged rates up to 3.5 percent higher than a lender’s best rate, which could mean tens of thousands of dollars in additional interest over the life of your mortgage.
Credit cards
It’s almost impossible to do without a credit card in today’s economy. Unfortunately, credit cards often carry relatively high interest rates (18 percent is not uncommon). Cards issued by financial institutions, may offer a scale of rates for different cardholders. If you have excellent credit, you can often get a major credit card with a rate of less than 10 percent. With a poor score, however, you may be stuck with a rate that’s twice as high. However we can assist you with obtaining Credit Cards, visit apply for Credit Cards on our menu or call and speak to a representative.
Consumer loans
Bad credit will likely result in you paying a higher rate for your car loan, unsecured line of credit and most other types of consumer loans. There are too many variables here to provide exact numbers, but the above guidelines for mortgages demonstrate how interest rates can increase for people with low credit scores.
Insurance
Insurance companies in many states use credit scores to help them set your homeowner's and auto premiums. They argue that people with low credit scores are statistically more likely to make claims, so no matter how careful you may be behind the wheel or in your home, bad credit may result in your having to pay more than other people with similar vehicles and property.
Employment
Under U.S. law, prospective employers are generally allowed to investigate your credit report in order to help decide whether or not to hire you for a particular position. Laws vary by state but, in general, they are required to obtain your written consent in order to do this. While you may refuse, there is always the chance you may not be hired. Obviously, a low score could potentially be an obstacle to getting a job.
Other areas
A poor credit score can affect other areas of your life that you’ve probably never considered. For example, landlords can check your score (with your consent) before renting an apartment, and utility,phone companies may require customers with bad credit to pay a deposit when opening a new account.
You can’t repair bad credit overnight, but you can gradually improve your score if you commit to changing your habits. The long-term financial payoff that you receive will make it well worthwhile. Call NCR Credit Plus 866 469 6599
What Is "Bad Credit?"
Many people who have bad credit often find themselves in difficult situations financially. But what exactly does it mean to have "bad credit," "blemished credit," or "less-than-perfect credit?" Well, it can mean a few things. A person can have bad credit from not paying their credit card bills or monthly mortgage payments on time or missing them altogether.
It may be that you shared an account or two with your spouse who had bad borrowing habits which affected your credit. Or it could be that you've gone through a bankruptcy or foreclosure process.
Your credit score is affected by numerous things such as whether you pay your bills on time, whether or not you borrow a lot of money from numerous accounts, the amount of time you've been borrowing, and the types of credit you're using (eg. auto loan, mortgage, credit cards, etc.) The more negative marks you have on your credit report (such as late payments, bankruptcies, etc.), the lower your credit score.
How Can Having Bad Credit Hurt You?
Having a poor credit history or a low credit score can seriously affect you financially. One of the things that can happen is that you could be denied credit. A low credit score indicates to lenders that you are a high-risk borrower and they may not be willing to lend you money.
How to Improve Your Credit Score
Having poor credit is an uncomfortable subject for many. And in order to do something about it, you have to first acknowledge the problem. Don't lose yourself in a sense of denial. Once you accept that you're having difficulty, it's easier to take steps to improve your situation.
If you do nothing else, the most important thing you can do to improve your credit score is join NCR Credit Buillding Program. We present each client with a specific action plan, where we advise specific / personalized credit strategies that you can utilize to maximize a strong, healthy credit profile. We will structure a plan that will consist of deleting negative items as well as establishing new lines of credit.
What happens when you apply for credit.
When you apply for credit, you authorize the lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. This is how voluntary inquiries appear on your credit report.
The inquiries section of your credit report contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years. The report you see lists both voluntary inquiries, spurred by your own requests for credit, and involuntary inquiries, such as when lenders order your credit report to offer you a pre-approved credit card.
Here are some of the areas where bad credit can affect you:
Mortgages
If you have a credit score of 720 and above, you will likely be able to receive a lender’s best rate on a mortgage or home equity loan. Between 675 and 719 you could end up having to pay up to half a percentage more than someone in the top category. Between 620 and 674, you may need to provide more documentation than those with higher scores and could end up paying as much as 2 percent more than borrowers with excellent credit. Below 620 you’re considered “sub-prime” meaning that you are considered to have less-than-perfect credit and it may be more difficult for you to find a lender. You could also be charged rates up to 3.5 percent higher than a lender’s best rate, which could mean tens of thousands of dollars in additional interest over the life of your mortgage.
Credit cards
It’s almost impossible to do without a credit card in today’s economy. Unfortunately, credit cards often carry relatively high interest rates (18 percent is not uncommon). Cards issued by financial institutions, may offer a scale of rates for different cardholders. If you have excellent credit, you can often get a major credit card with a rate of less than 10 percent. With a poor score, however, you may be stuck with a rate that’s twice as high. However we can assist you with obtaining Credit Cards, visit apply for Credit Cards on our menu or call and speak to a representative.
Consumer loans
Bad credit will likely result in you paying a higher rate for your car loan, unsecured line of credit and most other types of consumer loans. There are too many variables here to provide exact numbers, but the above guidelines for mortgages demonstrate how interest rates can increase for people with low credit scores.
Insurance
Insurance companies in many states use credit scores to help them set your homeowner's and auto premiums. They argue that people with low credit scores are statistically more likely to make claims, so no matter how careful you may be behind the wheel or in your home, bad credit may result in your having to pay more than other people with similar vehicles and property.
Employment
Under U.S. law, prospective employers are generally allowed to investigate your credit report in order to help decide whether or not to hire you for a particular position. Laws vary by state but, in general, they are required to obtain your written consent in order to do this. While you may refuse, there is always the chance you may not be hired. Obviously, a low score could potentially be an obstacle to getting a job.
Other areas
A poor credit score can affect other areas of your life that you’ve probably never considered. For example, landlords can check your score (with your consent) before renting an apartment, and utility,phone companies may require customers with bad credit to pay a deposit when opening a new account.
You can’t repair bad credit overnight, but you can gradually improve your score if you commit to changing your habits. The long-term financial payoff that you receive will make it well worthwhile. Call NCR Credit Plus 866 469 6599
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