The Credit Scoop

The birds are chirping, the grass is greening and it’s time to clean up the house and de-clutter the garage. But don’t forget about your credit! Most of us also have junk that needs clearing from our credit reports. It may a wrong address, a late payment on an account or a new collection that you had no idea about. Spring is the time to roll up your sleeves and start the work. Beginning any project is often overwhelming, but in the end you will have a better, cleaner report. Follow these simple steps:

Obtain copies of your credit reports. You need to get one from Experian, Equifax & Trans Union. After you have them, go over all the information with a highlighter. Begin with the simple items – name, address, date of birth and social security number. Make sure only your information is on the report.

Review all the accounts listed on the credit report and make sure they all belong to you. Look at all the accounts that are reporting late payments. Many of those accounts may have never been late or might be old disputes you were told would never show up.
Dispute credit problems with each credit bureau. This can be done online, by mail or over the phone.

Contact info:

http://www.experian.com/
http://www.transunion.com/
http://www.equifax.com/home/

If you found a collection account, make sure you call the collection company to verify the collection. If you want to dispute the collection, be sure to write both the collection company and the credit bureaus. If you do not feel sure that the collection company will resolve the matter, call the company that gave them the account to collect. For example, if it was an unpaid co-pay to your doctor, call them and explain how this is now damaging your credit. Offer to pay them directly and ask them to recall the account from the collection company.

Your work is done. The garage floor is swept clean and so, too, is your credit report. Enjoy it and know that this year’s work will make next year’s clean up less daunting.