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Five Reasons to Check Your Credit Report Regularly
Inaccuracies & Mixed Credit Files
Tracking Payments
Identity Theft
Inquiries
Credit Fraud--Unauthorized Charges
Five Reasons to Check Your Credit Report Regularly
In much the same way that a resume displays your work experience to a
prospective employer, a credit report provides prospective creditors (and
in some cases employers and insurers too) with a detailed picture of your
credit history. And like a resume, your credit report can influence whether
you will receive what you are applying for.
Ideally, your credit report is an accurate, up-to-date reflection of
your credit history. However, since we don't live in an ideal world, there
are many reasons that your credit report could contain inaccuracies that
might prevent you from receiving the credit you deserve. The good news
is you can take action to keep your report accurate. Here are the top
five reasons why you should make a practice of regularly reviewing your
credit report:
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Inaccuracies & Mixed Credit Files
Many inaccuracies on a credit report can be the result of simple human error,
and are therefore are not difficult to dispute. Of course, if you don't
order your credit report, you might never know about it. Whether the inaccuracies
relate to payments not credited, late payments, or data mixed in from the
credit file of someone else with a name similar to yours, you will want
to contact the credit bureau to dispute inaccurate information promptly.
If you would like to get a copy of your credit report right now. Click here
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Tracking Payments
One of the most important elements of credit is a demonstrated history
of on time payments. Once you send the check though, anything can happen--a
delay in the payment being received can kick you over to a 30-day delinquency.
If you call your creditor and explain the situation, they might adjust
the information. Of course, if you don't read your credit report, you
won't necessarily know which payments are being received and reported
properly. If you would like to get a copy of your credit report right
now.
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Identity Theft
This issue alone is reason to order your credit report immediately. Identity
theft is an insidious crime, involving a thief who assumes your name to
open new accounts, divert your card statements to another address, and
run up all sorts of bad debt without you ever knowing about it until collectors
come calling. Over time, identity theft could jeopardize your ability
to obtain further credit. The best way to catch a thief who is using your
name is by getting a copy of your credit report, which will show you if
there are accounts listed you know you haven't opened. For example, if
a thief has intercepted a pre-approved credit card offer in your name
and sent it in with a change of address, your credit report will include
the account. If you would like to get a copy of your credit report right
now.
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Inquiries
If you're shopping around for a loan or more credit, you should know
that when creditors check your credit, it places an inquiry on your credit
report. Inquiries can add up, which is often interpreted as a negative
by creditors. For this reason, too many inquiries can actually make getting
credit more difficult. Moreover, if you didn't authorize someone to look
at your credit report and they did, they may have broken the law. If you
would like to see who's been looking at your credit. Click here
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Credit Fraud--Unauthorized Charges
Credit fraud involves the theft of your credit card or account number
to make unauthorized charges to your account. Though consumers are protected
financially from this abuse, other creditors may take note of all this
activity and decide to raise your interest rates or refuse to grant you
a loan. Ordering your credit report will help you catch new activity on
accounts that you haven't been using, or may have closed. If you would
like to get a copy of your credit report right now.
When it comes to managing your credit worthiness, your credit report
is your best resource. Ordering your credit report gives you the opportunity
to manage your credit wisely today, while planning your credit strategy
for achieving future goals--a credit-savvy move every consumer should
make!
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