| With many consumers continuing to hamper their ability | | | | annual credit report you will need to conduct a full |
| to save money by falling deeper and deeper into debt | | | | review of your report in order to identify any |
| due to relying on credit and overextending themselves | | | | inaccurate information or inefficiencies in your credit |
| learning how to raise their credit score by 100 points is | | | | data in order to dispute these credit report errors with |
| becoming more important. Nationwide the average | | | | the credit bureaus. |
| credit score is rapidly dropping and most lenders and | | | | The easiest way to perform this important task is to |
| loan providers are being forced to deny loan | | | | take out a highlighter and highlight any inaccurate |
| applications and requests for credit. Let's be honest, | | | | information on your report making sure to annotate |
| the financial knowledge and money management skills | | | | why the data is erroneous. This may include accounts |
| of the common consumer is not where it should be | | | | marked as open when they are actually closed or |
| causing turmoil and financial distress in many. | | | | vice-versa, late payments that never took place or in |
| In order to raise a credit score prior to applying for a | | | | some extremes having the wrong account numbers or |
| new loan there are a few things everyone should | | | | social security number on the file. You should also |
| implement before allowing the lending agencies or | | | | highlight any potential problem areas that you feel may |
| institutions to conduct a credit check them. As you can | | | | be holding your credit score down. |
| expect, the first item up for grabs is to order a copy | | | | Next you should start the dispute process with the |
| of your free credit report from the three major credit | | | | credit bureaus. Because this action can require some |
| bureaus in order to review it for any errors or | | | | time to complete (as long as 30 or more days) you |
| inaccurate data. Numerous studies have shown nearly | | | | should start this process immediately. Try to focus on |
| 7 out of every 10 credit reports contain bad | | | | the 2 or 3 items that you have deemed as the most |
| information which negatively impacts approximately | | | | harmful to your credit score and work to have them |
| 25% of today's consumers. | | | | eradicated from your record first. While undergoing the |
| Although it sounds bad there is actually a bit of good | | | | dispute you can also see if you can increase your |
| news. The credit bureaus are required by law (the Fair | | | | current amount of available credit by calling some of |
| Credit Act) to review and respond to any inquiries or | | | | your lenders and asking to have your credit limit |
| disputes you may have on your credit history or report | | | | increased. This has the net effect of improving your |
| within 30 days upon notification from the consumer. | | | | credit to debt ratio which will immediately help improve |
| With that said, once you have received your free | | | | your credit score. |