You can find a lot of people wondering over finding debt solutions and ways for credit repair. Although there are a lot of open ways of eliminating debt, still there are millions of people finding it hard to tackle with the situation. The reason for this can be identified as the lack of communication and less awareness among people on how to get rid of charge offs.
If you are on an expedition to get relief, you should gain information on getting rid of charge offs and increasing scores. Needless to explain the importance of the credit scores since we all know how important they are when we think of applying for loans in future. Here are some tips that can help you raise your ratings:
a) The very first step one should take is to stop using credit cards immediately. Once you realize that your credit limits are maxed out and you cannot use the plastic, you should not press hard on it. Every purchase you make without making the payment is going to hit hard on your scores.
b) Keep an eye over your limitations. Don't try to exceed these limits and always try to contain yourselves within the boundaries. The most important secret to get a bulge in ratings is to keep the bills within the boundaries. Once you cross the benchmark, the negative effect starts showing on the report.
c) Always try to know all details on the charges being inflicted by the credit card companies. Most of the times the credit card statements have details of credit repair and you can find useful tips on them. Be careful in handling them and follow the instructions closely.
d) If you have a large debt, try and convert it into installments. It is an easy and recommended way since it does not affect your ratings and also makes it easy to maintain the reports.
e) Never forget your last date of payment. Though you might not be charged for paying a day late, it would definitely be recorded in report and bring a depressing pull. It is better to maintain a single card and use for all transactions since this lets you pay more attention on the bills and you never forget to pay them.
Do you want a 700+ Credit Score? Many items found on credit reports are disputable and can be completely removed and eliminated, returning an attractive luster to your credit score. Contacting a reliable credit repair company can put you back in control of your financial future. For a fresh start and a higher credit score, Click the following link for free information and advice on how to repair your credit quickly and legally.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?
Have you been told by a creditor that your debt is about to "charge offs"? Did the bill collector make it sound like you will be ruined financially if you allow this catastrophe to happen? If you're behind on your bills, unable to keep up with payments on your credit cards and other debts, sooner or later you will hear a creditor representative threaten you with the dreaded "charge-off." So what is a charge-off anyway? Should you be worried? What are the consequences of this mysterious event?
I'll start by explaining what a charge-off is NOT. Because the term includes the word "charge," many people mistakenly think it has to do with cancellation of the account by the creditor. In other words, you can't "charge" anything on your credit card anymore. But it's not the same thing at all, and most banks will revoke charging privileges around 2-3 months before the deadline we're talking about here.
What banks and bill collectors call a "charge-off" is the point at which the creditor writes off the account balance as a "bad debt." It usually happens after six months of non-payment. After that, they no longer count it on their books as an asset. You still owe the money, of course. And they will certainly make continued attempts to collect it from you. But the creditor has been forced by the rules of accounting to zero out the debt on their financial ledgers. For causing this loss, they will punish you by placing a derogatory mark on your credit report. A "charge-off" is a serious negative mark, to be sure, but it is not the financial ruination that debt collectors would like to have you believe it is.
Should charge offs be avoided if possible? Certainly. Does the prospect of a charge-off mean you should panic if you have no way to pay the bill? No! Is it the end of the world if the account has already charged off? No! Too often, bill collectors make a charge-off sound so bad, and they apply so much pressure, that people cave in and make payment commitments they cannot keep. Collectors usually demand payment via post-dated checks, and this frequently leads to bounced checks and even worse financial problems. Most of us are brainwashed by the banks and media on the subject of credit. Sure, good credit is important. But committing to payments you really can't afford just to preserve your credit is like watering the lawn while your house is burning down.
Here are a few simple rules to follow when trying to avoid a charge-off that hasn't happened yet:
* Don't be intimidated or threatened by pre-charge-off collection tactics. Keep a cool head and don't take it personally when collectors try to get under your skin.
* Call your creditor to find out the minimum payment necessary to avoid the charge-off, and subsequent payments to keep the account current going forward. Don't commit to this payment (or series of payments) unless you're sure you can follow through.
* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement at 50% or less if you have the resources, or a workout plan for monthly payments that you can live with.
* Do not allow bill collectors to talk you into using post-dated checks, or providing your checking account details over the telephone. Instead, make payments via cashier's check or money order.
* Do not make payments based on a verbal arrangement. Get the deal in writing and signed by a creditor representative who has authority to approve the workout plan.
What should you do if you simply don't have the money to rescue the account from charge-off, or if the account has already been charged off by the creditor?
* Take a deep breath and relax; the sky won't fall on your head just because you had a charge-off.
* Realize that you still have an opportunity to resolve the matter by dealing with the original creditor or the collection agency assigned to the account.
* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement with the creditor or collection agency. Again, aim for 50% or less, and ask for the charge-off to be deleted from your credit report as a condition of the settlement. (Most creditors will not agree to this, but it's worth asking anyway. Do be sure that they will update your credit report to show that the matter has been resolved and the account has been satisfied.)
* If you can't work out a deal with the collection agency assigned to your account, then wait until it goes to another agency! Eventually, it will either be assigned or sold to an outfit that you can deal with to get the matter cleared up.
To sum up, a charge-off is not the end of the world. It should certainly be avoided if possible, but not at the risk of making things worse by committing to payments you're not sure you can keep up with. Just remember that the creditor doesn't want to see a charge-off any more than you do, so use that knowledge to your advantage in working out a mutually acceptable arrangement. Get everything in writing, don't disclose your checking account details, and follow up to make sure the creditor reports the matter correctly on your credit report. You'll find that it's easier than you think to resolve a charge-off situation before it happens, or clean it up if it's already taken place.
I'll start by explaining what a charge-off is NOT. Because the term includes the word "charge," many people mistakenly think it has to do with cancellation of the account by the creditor. In other words, you can't "charge" anything on your credit card anymore. But it's not the same thing at all, and most banks will revoke charging privileges around 2-3 months before the deadline we're talking about here.
What banks and bill collectors call a "charge-off" is the point at which the creditor writes off the account balance as a "bad debt." It usually happens after six months of non-payment. After that, they no longer count it on their books as an asset. You still owe the money, of course. And they will certainly make continued attempts to collect it from you. But the creditor has been forced by the rules of accounting to zero out the debt on their financial ledgers. For causing this loss, they will punish you by placing a derogatory mark on your credit report. A "charge-off" is a serious negative mark, to be sure, but it is not the financial ruination that debt collectors would like to have you believe it is.
Should charge offs be avoided if possible? Certainly. Does the prospect of a charge-off mean you should panic if you have no way to pay the bill? No! Is it the end of the world if the account has already charged off? No! Too often, bill collectors make a charge-off sound so bad, and they apply so much pressure, that people cave in and make payment commitments they cannot keep. Collectors usually demand payment via post-dated checks, and this frequently leads to bounced checks and even worse financial problems. Most of us are brainwashed by the banks and media on the subject of credit. Sure, good credit is important. But committing to payments you really can't afford just to preserve your credit is like watering the lawn while your house is burning down.
Here are a few simple rules to follow when trying to avoid a charge-off that hasn't happened yet:
* Don't be intimidated or threatened by pre-charge-off collection tactics. Keep a cool head and don't take it personally when collectors try to get under your skin.
* Call your creditor to find out the minimum payment necessary to avoid the charge-off, and subsequent payments to keep the account current going forward. Don't commit to this payment (or series of payments) unless you're sure you can follow through.
* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement at 50% or less if you have the resources, or a workout plan for monthly payments that you can live with.
* Do not allow bill collectors to talk you into using post-dated checks, or providing your checking account details over the telephone. Instead, make payments via cashier's check or money order.
* Do not make payments based on a verbal arrangement. Get the deal in writing and signed by a creditor representative who has authority to approve the workout plan.
What should you do if you simply don't have the money to rescue the account from charge-off, or if the account has already been charged off by the creditor?
* Take a deep breath and relax; the sky won't fall on your head just because you had a charge-off.
* Realize that you still have an opportunity to resolve the matter by dealing with the original creditor or the collection agency assigned to the account.
* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement with the creditor or collection agency. Again, aim for 50% or less, and ask for the charge-off to be deleted from your credit report as a condition of the settlement. (Most creditors will not agree to this, but it's worth asking anyway. Do be sure that they will update your credit report to show that the matter has been resolved and the account has been satisfied.)
* If you can't work out a deal with the collection agency assigned to your account, then wait until it goes to another agency! Eventually, it will either be assigned or sold to an outfit that you can deal with to get the matter cleared up.
To sum up, a charge-off is not the end of the world. It should certainly be avoided if possible, but not at the risk of making things worse by committing to payments you're not sure you can keep up with. Just remember that the creditor doesn't want to see a charge-off any more than you do, so use that knowledge to your advantage in working out a mutually acceptable arrangement. Get everything in writing, don't disclose your checking account details, and follow up to make sure the creditor reports the matter correctly on your credit report. You'll find that it's easier than you think to resolve a charge-off situation before it happens, or clean it up if it's already taken place.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Things to Ponder While Choosing Credit Counselor
Many times, it happens that individuals have to do things unwillingly. Well the same happens with people having bad credit history. It has been seen that individuals who are caught inside the vicious cycle of credit debt want to get of it but they cannot. The reason behind this could be no control on their expenditure or that they situation has gone out of control. If you think, you have tried enough and still not getting any way out through the debt problem then you must consult consumer credit counselors for credit repair. However, choosing a credit counselor is not that easy as it seems and one has to take care of many things before approaching one. Firstly, you have to be sure that the situation is getting worse and no one else except some counselor can help you. Once you have decided stick to your decision and start looking for companies offering credit-counseling services to repair your credit. Searching on internet for the list of companies dealing with such issues will be a good idea. After short-listing few of the companies, you should call them individually and ask about their services. If you find any of the companies trying hard to fetch money from your pocket then it would be better to stay away from them. Taking help of credit counseling can levy a negative impression on your credit history. Before you disclose your financial details to any of the company ask them about this issue very clearly. You can keep this factor in mind while finding the best company for your credit counseling. It is very common to come across companies that offer solutions like debt management or debt consolidation to the existing problem. However, you should go for the one who tells you how to keep your expenses to the minimum and what measures to take so that your credit report does not get affected in a negative way. When you take up the credit counseling services your counselor will chalk out a plan where you will be told when, to whom and how much money to be paid to the lender. If you somewhere find the plan to be unreal and you think you cannot move according to it, talk to your creditor right away. credit repair services This is because even after taking this service you does not pay money to the creditor then they will start charging high rate of interests all over again. In addition, you should check your account at regular intervals so that you know what is happening with your money and how much the service is benefiting you. Lastly pay attention to the amount of money charged by the credit counselor. The market is loaded with such companies and you can easily find one offering services at nominal prices.
Looking For Repair Credit Help Services
Getting the proper repair credit help is not as difficult as most people make it out to be. There are 2 main parts of the process, that when broken down are really quite simple. We need to be objective when signs are pointing to a potential financial problem, and then we need to take swift action when they do. Unfortunately, most of us really make a mess with these 2 simple steps. Not only do we fail to recognize a potential problem, but we always seem to wait to long once we do.
Repair Credit Help-Recognizing The Truth
Many of us ignore the warning signs of financial troubles until it is too late. We sometimes get to the point of bankruptcy without realizing how we got there. We don't see that our accounting skills are lagging and need a little attention. It is hard to face the facts when confronted with them until you are standing in the checkout line with 20 customers behind you and the sales clerk tells you that you are overdrawn on your account and your credit card was denied.
Repair Credit Help-Time To Take Action
Nothing can be more humiliating than that moment. Most of us will ignore certain issues and either hope or believe that they will somehow go away all on their own over time. Unfortunately for us, this wont happen. credit repair services Once you are no longer in denial about your finances, you can get started repairing the mess that it took you years to accumulate. It takes repair credit help to get you back on your feet again.
Repair Credit Help-Finding The Proper Help
Getting the proper repair credit help can be easy if you know where to look for it. Before you can properly decide exactly what path to take, make sure you fully understand your own unique situation. Are you just behind on a few bills or many? Are your finances at the point where your contemplating bankruptcy? Are you always paying your bills with late fees? Are you being harassed by bill collectors calling your home at all hours of day and evening? Is your credit scores really low? If any of these apply to you, relax because you have found the right source. credit repair services Seeking help is often confused as a sign of weakness or failure on our part, but you and I both know that it takes considerable courage to face our problems head on. By fixing your problems, you will accomplish something that will benefit you the rest of your life.
Repair credit help can be found within your own community or online. You can find help from your lender by asking for it. They offer many types of services that will benefit you. Most people are surprised with the compassion and understanding their shown when asking for help. I don't know of any lending institutions that will look down on you for seeking help. It's just the opposite, this will be considered an act of integrity on your part. It will show that you take your financial problems seriously and that you will do whatever you can to fix them.
The tools that you find at your lender can also be found on many online sites. The tools to help you to learn to budget can be found along with ways to get caught up and stay there. You can also find tools to help you to reverse bad credit and how to raise your credit score. There are no shortages of products and services that when applied properly, will work great and will positively help you with your financial woes. If you really want it, and if your ready, I can promise you there is credit repair help for you. All you have to do is click.
Repair Credit Help-Recognizing The Truth
Many of us ignore the warning signs of financial troubles until it is too late. We sometimes get to the point of bankruptcy without realizing how we got there. We don't see that our accounting skills are lagging and need a little attention. It is hard to face the facts when confronted with them until you are standing in the checkout line with 20 customers behind you and the sales clerk tells you that you are overdrawn on your account and your credit card was denied.
Repair Credit Help-Time To Take Action
Nothing can be more humiliating than that moment. Most of us will ignore certain issues and either hope or believe that they will somehow go away all on their own over time. Unfortunately for us, this wont happen. credit repair services Once you are no longer in denial about your finances, you can get started repairing the mess that it took you years to accumulate. It takes repair credit help to get you back on your feet again.
Repair Credit Help-Finding The Proper Help
Getting the proper repair credit help can be easy if you know where to look for it. Before you can properly decide exactly what path to take, make sure you fully understand your own unique situation. Are you just behind on a few bills or many? Are your finances at the point where your contemplating bankruptcy? Are you always paying your bills with late fees? Are you being harassed by bill collectors calling your home at all hours of day and evening? Is your credit scores really low? If any of these apply to you, relax because you have found the right source. credit repair services Seeking help is often confused as a sign of weakness or failure on our part, but you and I both know that it takes considerable courage to face our problems head on. By fixing your problems, you will accomplish something that will benefit you the rest of your life.
Repair credit help can be found within your own community or online. You can find help from your lender by asking for it. They offer many types of services that will benefit you. Most people are surprised with the compassion and understanding their shown when asking for help. I don't know of any lending institutions that will look down on you for seeking help. It's just the opposite, this will be considered an act of integrity on your part. It will show that you take your financial problems seriously and that you will do whatever you can to fix them.
The tools that you find at your lender can also be found on many online sites. The tools to help you to learn to budget can be found along with ways to get caught up and stay there. You can also find tools to help you to reverse bad credit and how to raise your credit score. There are no shortages of products and services that when applied properly, will work great and will positively help you with your financial woes. If you really want it, and if your ready, I can promise you there is credit repair help for you. All you have to do is click.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)