Jack Harmon asked:




So you need to raise your credit score fast? Well credit scores are a very complicated mathematical formula, but if you understand how they are calculated and the factors that affect your score you stand a much better chance to raise your credit score fast.

First off you must understand that there are 3 credit reporting agencies (Experian, Transunion, Equifax) and each of them could have a different credit score for you.

Sometimes a credit score is referred to as a FICO score or beacon score so don’t be alarmed if you see different terms.

In addition, different credit reporting agencies can report more heavily in different regional areas. For instance, Experian could be more heavily reported for customer in the Western region while Equifax could report more heavily in the Southern region.

It is for the above reason that frequently why you will have a different credit score with different credit reporting agencies. If you want to raise your credit score fast here are some things to consider:

Raise Credit Score Fast With These Tips

1. Get a free copy of your credit report and check for errors: Every year 1000s of people find that a creditor or creditors have placed inaccurate information on their credit report. It could be anything from a late payment to a collection. These errors can significantly affect your credit score and getting errors removed can help you raise your credit score fast.

You should highly consider getting a free copy of your credit report and check it for errors. If you find errors, you need to contact the credit reporting bureau and explain to them that you would like to file a complaint as a result of an error on your credit report.

Checking your own credit will not hurt your credit score.

2. Payoff outstanding debt: If you have outstanding debt or credit card debt paying it off can help you improve your credit score. It is not recommended you close your credit cards, because the longer length you have held the credit card can actually help your score.

However, paying off the debt on your credit card can help tremendously because payment history is highly important to your credit score.

3. Avoid shopping for too many loans or credit cards: Every time you shop for a credit card or loan each application you submit can affect your credit score. This does not mean you can not shop for a loan, just do not get out of control with it. Also, if you do shop for a loan be sure to submit all applications within 14 days of each other as this will be more favorable to keeping your credit score high.

In the end, following the above tips can be highly helpful to raise your credit score fast. It is highly recommend you get a copy of your free credit report as any errors on your credit report can be the best option to raise your credit report fast.

Frank

Carrie Reeder asked:


Ready to apply for a mortgage loan? Thinking about getting a new credit card? Before you do, you may want to review a copy of your credit report to ensure that all your information is accurate. And, fortunately, there are quite a few ways to obtain a free copy of your credit report. Here’s how:

Make a phone call

There are three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They are legally required to provide you with a copy of your credit report–for free!–once a year. And obtaining your report can be as simple as making a phone call! Just do an Internet search to find the phone numbers of the three credit reporting bureaus, and call each one individually. In most cases you’ll give your information to an automated voice mail service, and in no time at all your reports will be delivered to your mailbox.

Write a letter

Don’t trust the automated voice mail system? Need your request in writing for paperwork reasons? When you search online for the three credit bureaus’ information, look for a snail mail address. In most cases, you can simply send a letter that includes all your basic information–name, address, social security number, phone number and previous addresses. Ask for a copy of your credit report. Although this process takes a little longer than a phone call–because you have to wait for the postal service–you should still have your credit reports in a relatively short amount of time.

Go online!

The quickest and easiest way to get your free credit report is to go online. You can either access your reports directly through the credit reporting bureau, or you can find a website that consolidates these reports into one. Either way, you’ll get your information instantly–no waiting! You can print out your report so that you can review it at your leisure.

No matter which method you choose for obtaining your credit report, remember: it should be free once a year. However, you may have to pay a small fee if you want your credit score, too.



Lynn