Posts Tagged ‘Credit Reports’

Virtual Credit Cards Can Help Protect Credit Reports

Financial Tips | Posted by Jacob ONeill
Feb 21 2011

Over the past decade, credit fraud has become more common, due to recent advances in technology that have made it easier than ever for Americans to make credit card purchases while on the go. However, there are still a few ways that consumers can shop online through a mobile device and while ensuring that their credit reports are protected against unauthorized spending sprees.

The simple fact is, if you go e-shopping using a Wi-Fi connection, Im not going to say youre going to get ripped off every time, but the chances of someone seeing what you are doing and walking away with your number are exponentially higher, David Lazarus, a consumer columnist for the Los Angeles Times, told American Public Media.

Major financial institutions have now begun to offer virtual credit cards, which work by creating a separate number with the full backing of a traditional credit card, American Public Media reports. This temporary card comes with encryptions and security measures that enable users to make purchases online; these safeguards then disappear when the transactions are completed.

By taking such precautions, consumers can protect their credit reports and guard their accounts against activity that could hurt their ability to secure new loans and insurance policies.

More Companies checking Up on Applicant’s Credit Reports

Financial Tips | Posted by Jacob ONeill
Sep 22 2010

Credit reports are becoming more of a determining factor on whether you could be successful in your workplace and job opportunities nowadays. And this causes jobseekers and employees to be more conscious and careful with their credit reports in case the subject comes up when negotiating with the higher ups.

More and more companies are checking up on the credit reports of their applicants before hiring them, and the same thing goes for determining whether an aspiring employee could get a promotion or not. In a recent survey, it shows that over 47% of employers from the federal government and private institutions check the credit report of select job applicants before hiring them while 13% thoroughly checks the report of all job applicants looking to work for them. One such institution is the Transportation Security Administration, which rejects 20% of their screener applicants because their credit reports have bad marks.

There have been applicants complaining that that a credit score and report have nothing to do with the qualifications of being able to do a proper job. They also find that their applying for a job in companies feels so much like borrowing a loan from money lenders.

Richard Greenwald, from the Concorde Staffing Group, said that in his opinion that companies are doing this credit report check to determine how financially responsible applicants and jobseekers are.

Read more…

People are now vigilant in Filing a Dispute on Wrong Info on your Credit Reports

Financial Tips | Posted by Jacob ONeill
Sep 20 2010

With the financial uncertainty happening all around us, it is safe that we are vigilant in keeping our finances secure and our credits stay afloat. Fixing inaccurate information in our credit reports is one of the best ways of doing so, because a simple error in that document would have a more pervasive effect on other aspects of your life than what you could have expected.

Good credits are important to have if you want to be more financially secure, so you need to make constant inspections and maintenance of your credit history to make sure that you are indeed safe. You could get a copy of your credit reports every twelve months from one of the top three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to make your inspection. You could even request a copy from all three of them to make a more thorough check-up on your credit accounts if you have to.

The most recommended areas of the credit report you need to thoroughly check are the Credit Information and Legal Record parts, because that is where the more important information is shown. You might even need to use references to make sure that the information in the document is indeed accurate just to be sure. If you do manage to find errors and wrong information, then you need to file a dispute to the credit agency where you got the report.

Read more…

Access Credit Reports Online for Free

Financial Tips | Posted by Jacob ONeill
Aug 13 2010

There have been innumerable cases in the past where Americans have faced problems with their credit scores. A sudden drop in their credit scores leads them into trouble and takes a long time to repair too. While many times this is due to the individuals unable to handle their finances the right way, the problem is also seen when there are errors in their credit history.

To avoid situations where the credit scores suffer due to erroneous entries, it is best to check the credit report at least once a year. This is now possible by accessing the credit report for free each year. The US government will now offer annual credit report for free which can be accessed from the FTC website.

To view the credit report offered by Transunion, Experian and Equifax, you will have to log on to annualcreditreport.com. The very fact that this website has got 100% approval from the government and also the fact that the reports can be viewed with no added charges makes it both secure and reliable for the Americans.

Maintaining a good credit score would mean better prospects in terms of getting loans at lower rates of interest. This also reflects on your capability in handling your finances right. Hence it is best to take advantage of the free credit report.

The credit report, though free, does not ensure a free credit score. You will have to pay a small amount of nearly $15 to $30 for a credit score.

Read more…