Colom Newbie

Bad credit can hurt you in many ways. If you have endured hard financial times and ended up with bad credit, foreclosed on your property or been declined for a loan, the you know that having clean credit means having access to a better life. Now that you are seeking to improve your credit scores, this article should help you get started.

Taking the do-it-yourself approach requires that you learn all the basics to credit repair including reviewing the information currently in your credit history and filing the required forms and letters to correct any errors. The three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union are the major credit bureaus for credit reporting in the United States.

The big three credit bureaus use to charge a fee to consumers for these reports. Now, everyone can get a free copy of their credit report once a year since the FTC passed news laws giving consumer more protections rights. It all begins with this process.

You can request a free copy of your annual report if you are unemployed and plan to seek gainful employment for the next three months, are on a public assistance program, or have been turned down for a loan by a lending institution.

Credit repair websites can be a great source of information. There are many sites online containing mountains of information designed to help your improve your credit. They have sample forms and letters as well as sections explaining the submission process.

You should consider looking at government websites such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The information is always accurate and reflects any changes that regulate the credit repair industry. They also have samples of the letters and forms you need as well as a thorough explanation of the process. You can use these letters to report inaccurate information contained in your credit report.

The library can also be an excellent source of information pertaining to credit repair. A good library should contain reference materials such as books and guides written by experts in the credit industry. You will these resources most helpful.

The key to using library resources is to bare in mind that they are only guides. They will help to educate you on the laws, processes and guidelines to repairing and restoring your credit to a good rating.

Taking a proactive approach to repairing your credit is the first step to getting back into the graces of the lending institutions. Having clean credit is important if you want to get a loan for a mortgage, vacation or just to finance a new car. It is what all banks and lending institutions use to determine credit worthiness.

Interestingly, many employers are now looking at the credit reports for applicants applying for jobs. Unlike the past, a good credit report can determine how far you go in your career. Employers are now looking at a person's credit history as a part of the employment processespecially for key management positions. Good credit always pays off.