Most consumers are aware of the importance of their credit report. This document, offered to consumers and lenders by the three major credit bureaus, offers a fairly complete list of financial transactions and debts incurred by a consumer. Lenders examine the report, along with the associated FICO score, to determine whether a consumer is worthy of receiving additional credit or loans. What many consumers may not know is that credit card companies regularly check their credit reports, and unfavorable entries may result in a higher interest rate on their credit cards. We have previously noted that many credit card companies employ something known as a "universal default clause" in their terms of service.
This clause allows the company to raise interest rates on the customer's card if the customer pays bills late. A late payment to the phone company could result in a higher interest rate on the Visa card. Most companies also allow themselves the latitude to raise their customers' interest rates for any reason at all. With this in mind, the credit card companies tend to run occasional credit checks on their customers, often raising rates if they notice any activity that, in their opinion, makes the customer a higher risk. This might happen even if the customer has a history of paying his or her credit card bills on time. The sorts of things that may create a "risky" client include taking out additional loans, additional credit cards, or building balances on existing cards to at or near their limits.
The companies justify this activity by saying that consumers who do these things create greater risk for the lender, and these costs must be passed on to all of their customers. The problem for the customer is that these higher interest rates are often assigned without warning. The new rate applies to existing balances, too. An interest rate hike today could mean that the television you bought last fall has suddenly become more expensive. What can consumers do? Keep an eye on your credit card bill and your credit report.
You can receive a copy of your credit report, for free, at http://www.annualcreditreport.com. As for your credit card bill, watch the interest rate. If it abruptly changes to a higher rate, call your credit card issuer and ask them about it. They will often reduce the rate if you call and complain. If not, your only option may be to shop around for another card..
?Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to establishing credit, debt consolidation and credit counseling.Credit Report ? Watch Out for Parking Tickets
The economic downturn of the last five years has affected millions of Americans, but it has also affected the budgets of states, cities and counties. With limited tax dollars with which to work, various government entities have had to try to stretch their budgets to allow them to continue to function. Many government agencies at the state and local levels have turned over debt collection to collection agencies, even for such seemingly small debts as parking tickets or library fines. What does this mean? An unpaid parking ticket could end upon on your credit report. Credit reports and the associated FICO credit score have become an increasingly important part of the lives of Americans.
At one time, the credit report was primarily used by mortgage lenders to determine if a prospective customer should be granted a loan. In recent years, the credit score and report have been used for an increasingly large number of uses by all kinds of companies. Employers use them to avoid hiring...
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A credit report is document that contains the record of a person's credit payment history. A credit report typically contains four kinds of information: identifying information (your name, your current and previous addresses, your social security number, your year of birth, your current and previous employers, if you're married, your spouse's name), credit information (with banks, retailers, credit card companies and other lenders), public record information (bankruptcies, tax liens and monetary judgments), and inquiries relating to other credit grantors. The credit report can be viewed by creditors to determine a person's creditworthiness. It can also be analyzed by employers and land lords for knowing a person's credibility.
The credit score is a three digit score which is based on the credit reports.
It can be considered to be a summary of the credit report. The credit score ranges between 300 and 850 wherein a score below 600 is considered "bad" while a score...
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(ContentDesk) November 19, 2004 -- Credit report scores drop dramatically due to delinquent payments from overspending during the holiday season which begins next week. SPENDonLIFE.com (http://www.spendonlife.com/entercampaign.aspx?id=795&ord=1), a consumer savings website that provides credit reports, advises holiday season shoppers to keep a close eye on their expenses this year in order to avoid a credit report nightmare. A study by Experian Consumer Direct reveals that consumers with one missed payment in the last year have an average credit score of about 160 points lower than the average of those with no delinquent payments. "A 160 point difference in your credit report history can mean paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more on mortgages, car loans, or insurance," says SPENDonLIFE.com President Mark Henry.
"Late payments are not something to take lightly.
Consumers...
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(ContentDesk) November 23, 2005 -- It is unwise to attempt to ruin anybodys magnanimous spirit with the approach of the holidays. This is the time for giving and exchanging of gifts, and what an immense feeling of contentment that is derived knowing that gifts have gone to help somebody in need! Unfortunately, too, this is the time of the year to be most fearful of. Consumers over-stretch their budgets, max out their credit cards and some even over-spend their credit limits with disastrous consequences on their credit report scores. Others have their identities stolen and they dont realize it until it is too late.Everywhere, consumers are encouraged to throw caution to the winds and are lured into spending like there is no tomorrow. Even the press gets in on it with daily analysis of whether or not this is going to be a bumper harvest for retailers and, for that reason, an indicator of consumer confidence and of a strong economy.
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There are 3 major credit bureaus that have information on your regarding your credit history. Anyone that has ever applied for a loan or credit of any kind has a file at one of the 3 major credit bureaus. Since merchants usually report to only one of the 3 major credit bureaus, you may have to request a free report from all three to get an overall look at your credit report.
To request a free credit report from either or all of the three major credit bureaus, all you have to do is to request a free report online. You can also send the request by mail and you have to provide all your personal information.
There are sites that will charge you for a credit report from one of the 3 major credit bureaus, but it is necessary for you to know that by law you are entitled to one free credit report a year. You should contact the credit bureau directly to get your free report.
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Phoenix, AZ (ContentDesk) October 23, 2005 -- Blue Financial says The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requiring each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report is the best thing to happen for consumers in years.Hal Jolley, President Of Blue Financia says, "Your credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell your information to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home." "Every consumer should check their report for accuracy," Jolley says, "Every single consumer should order their free report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit...
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Over the years, laser hair removal treatment has been accepted and has mushroomed because of a better understanding of its use. Laser hair removal treatment may be the best form of hair removal, but it is not for everyone. Contrary to common conception laser hair removal is not permanent.
During hair removal treatments, lasers operate by producing light at different wavelengths, output and pulse widths. The wavelength establishes the point that the laser falls on, such as melanin...
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Los Angeles, CA (ContentDesk) July 29, 2005 -- Silhouette FX, LLC is pleased to announce the imminent availability of a major new release of Silhouette Roto, the roto system that's underpinning visual effects production at major post houses around the world. Version 2.0 of Silhouette Roto (SR) adds a sophisticated layering / grouping system that enables individual layers to have their own tracking and stabilization information. This means the basic motion of an object being roto'd is automatically...
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Though referred to as yoga, the Pilates exercise regime has no connection with it and works on entirely different approaches. The common factor between yoga and Pilates programs is their emphasis on mental focus and breath control during exercise. Some refer to Pilates as ?yoga with movement,' and others as ?yoga with machines.'
George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he...