Have you thought about how good it would feel to increase your FICO credit score as quickly as you possibly can?

But before I jump ahead of myself, let’s get one thing perfectly clear…your FICO credit score can only be sold to you from Equifax. 

In essence, the credit scores you receive from other credit reporting agencies have been uniquely created by each individual agency. 

What I am talking about is the scoring models differ from agency to agency.

What does this mean for you?

In short, every agency will give you a DIFFERENT credit score. 

So, make sure you got a copy of your credit score from each agency to know exactly where you stand.

Just in case you are wondering…the three major credit reporting agency are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

And here’s something else you need to know.  All credit-reporting agencies are required to SEND you a free credit report (upon your request) once a year.

On top of that – if you are denied credit for any reason – you are entitled to a free credit report from the agency that the creditor used.

Chew on this for a minute…your FICO score is the score that the majority of lenders look at before they extend credit to you.

Aside from that, one thing’s for sure…if your credit score is low, getting credit will be a tough nut to crack.

Now, pay close attention to the different scoring models used by credit reporting agencies…

1.    The broad-based next generation credit bureau risk score is called NextGen.
2.    Equifax calls their FICO scoring model the BEACON.
3.    TransUnion’s scoring model is called EMPIRICA.
4.    Experian chooses the Fair Isaac Risk Model.
5.    Credit Card issuers, Car loan lenders, Personal financing lenders, and those offering other installment loans used the Industry Option SM

As you might have guessed now that you’ve come to the end of this article…it is to see how important it is for you to understand your FICO credit score. 

And guess what?  This is only just the beginning.

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If you wish to increase your score from 580 to 650 then your strategy will be very different from someone wanting to go from 670 to 725. Why? Because you starting point is different which requires a different approach. Also, while the removal of negative items from a report will almost always lead to an increase in score, it’s a basic concept at best. Therefore, within this article, we’ll discuss somewhat inside techniques known by very few (since this is what our company specializes in publishing).

In relation to just removing negative items, these are techniques which you can use even if you have NO derogatory information on your credit report. We’ll start with the most overlooked strategy first and that’s your…

DEBT to CREDIT RATIO: The most fraudulent belief I’ve been hearing for over 15 years is “I have excellent credit, I pay all my bills off in full every month!” This is a false belief for one to buy into and understanding your debt to credit ratio holds the key to getting your “credit mindset” right.

Your debt to credit ratio is your ratio of debt to total available credit you have been extended (revolving accounts only). For example. If you have $10,000 in total unsecured revolving credit accounts and you’re currently in debt $2500, then your debt to credit ratio is 25%. Since the main way lenders make money is by charging interest, one of the elements of the credit scoring model is driven by your ability to maintain balances and pay over time. This shows your true (long term) credit worthiness which is most profitable to lenders since they make money primarily via interest and not annual fees.

Over the years we’ve discovered without question that carrying the proper debt to credit ratio will boost your score faster than paying off your bills in full each month. I have argued with the Better Business Bureau on this topic for and they still disagree (despite my sending them proof from Fair Isaacs own website www.MyFico.com the organization which invented the credit scoring software used by credit bureaus).

Of course, what do you do if you’re like most Americans and your debt to credit ratio is too high? For example. You have $10,000 in unsecured revolving accounts but you owe $8500, thereby giving you an 85% debt to credit ratio. How can you bring it down without selling everything you own? The answer is simple and takes us to the next technique which is…

SUB-PRIME MERCHANDISE CARDS: The single most cost effective (and powerful) tool for consumers to increase their high credit limit and decrease their debt to credit ratio is the use of Sub-Prime Merchandise Cards which report to one of more of the major credit bureaus.

Unfortunately, despite their immense benefits, these are the most misunderstood cards in the credit industry. A large portion of the misunderstanding is due to marketers misrepresenting the cards and the growing number of companies promoting them. When you learn how they work one quickly understands why they have been the subject of much misrepresentation.

A Sub-Prime Merchandise Card is nothing more than a card attached to a line of credit which allows you to buy merchandise from a specific vendor (usually the company that sold you the card). The merchandise (in most cases) will be purchased through a catalog or online mall.

Where the problem arises is that the cards are marketed almost exclusively to the sub prime market via email, telemarketing and direct mail etc. The reason for this is they can advertise almost irresistible offers like “$5,000 Credit Card… GUARANTEED! No Credit Check! NO Cosigner! You cannot be turned down!” or “Unsecured $10,000 Credit Line! Everyone Approved!”. I’m sure you get the idea…

While there are many companies which do this and are a “shady at best”, there are a few which do it legitimately and it’s the best kept secret to build your credit and build it fast.

Here’s how it works: the company approves anyone with a pulse (literally) and gives them a card for $2,500 to $12,500 with NO credit check and NO cosigner. However, the card is only good for merchandise through their website or catalogs and the consumer is required to put down a deposit on whatever they purchase. After the deposit is paid, the remaining balance is financed on the card.

For example. A person buys $1,000 worth of merchandise. Their deposit is $300 so they then finance $700 on their merchandise card and make payments. Sound like a scam? If you say “Yes” like most people then you’re missing the point… big time.

With a legitimate Sub-Prime Merchandise Card your credit line WILL be reported to at least one major credit bureau (or more). This means if you get a $5,000 card and you finance $500, on your credit report it will look like any other credit card and will do three extremely important things for you.

1.) It will increase your current “High Credit Limit” by $5,000 almost overnight as the account “looks” like any other unsecured revolving account.

2.) By carrying a small outstanding balance it will positively impact your credit report by building and showing potential lenders your credit worthiness.

3.) With a good payment history you are virtually guaranteed to receive “legitimate” pre-approved credit offers in the future due to other lenders renting your name from the credit bureaus.

This technique is hard to beat for both cost and effectiveness. Of course, the whole key is knowing exactly which cards report to the credit bureau and offer the best rates. The only thing more effective is…

PIGGYBACKING: Despite its’ virtually unlimited potential, piggybacking is not used by nearly as many consumers as it should be. It’s easy, effective, and extremely fast. Unfortunately, it’s mostly used among parents and siblings while those who can really benefit stay in the dark.

How it works. Almost every credit card or credit account will allow the primary account holder to add on (at a later date) what’s known as an “Authorized User” or “Secondary Account Holder”. In most cases, when this is done, the entire account history (retroactively) gets posted to the authorized users credit report regardless of their current age or credit history!

For example. If it’s a credit card with a $10,000 limit which has been paid as agreed for the last 10 years, then that complete history will be posted to the authorized users’ credit report. I once saw a clients’ credit report who used this technique with his mother. He was only 24 at the time and he had a $15,000 Gold credit card on his report with history going back 11 years! I laughed as I thought to myself that this kid would have had to be approved when he was 13 years old for this account to be his!

As you can see, this strategy is usually only used by parents and their children and in most cases with no regard to the benefits the children are reaping credit wise! In fact, in recent years, due to its’ effectiveness, this technique has led individuals with excellent credit scores to “rent out” authorized user accounts on one or even multiple credit cards in return for a fee! I once recall seeing an ad in USA TODAY for just such an opportunity. Like most good credit loopholes, I’m sure this methods’ days are numbered much like what may be the case with…

ADVANCED CREDIT PROFILING: This is a strategy while not complex, can be taken to very complex levels. Even in its’ most basic form, it’s taken advantage of by very, very few. It involves intentionally building your credit report in a way which creates a “profile” that closely fits the criteria of most lenders (as well as the overall credit scoring system). Again, this is a technique which can be used in a myriad of complex ways, but for simplicity I will explain it in its’ most basic form.

While many consumers will boast when they have 10, 20, 30 or even 50 thousand dollars worth of credit cards on their report, many of these same people do NOT have even one mortgage, automotive loan or lease, equipment loan or a even a line of credit with a local bank or credit union. These other forms of credit create a much more well rounded credit profile for the consumer. This is achieved by showing greater credit account diversity and experience with multiple types of credit due to the various lines held.

For example. A person with $50K in credit cards does not represent near the credit experience as a person with the same $50K along with a mortgage, an automotive loan and an equipment lease. We have clients who have financed vehicles not because they had to (or even wanted to) but because they “needed to” in order to create a credit profile that would position them in the future to secure the lowest possible rate on a mortgage when they applied and needed it.

More complex forms of Advance Credit Profiling involve one subscribing to affluent or semi-affluent business and professional publications and organizations. These would include magazines, newsletters, trade journals and national associations. The goal is to get ones name into the databases of these publications and organizations. Why? To get on highly targeted lists in order to receive select credit offers.

Marketers of credit offers have found that simply renting names of consumers from the credit bureaus does not provide enough information about the person as a credit risk anymore. Therefore, it is speculated that many will rent a list from the credit bureau and then cross-reference this list against another list they have secured from a consumer source such as an affluent business or professional publication, trade journal or organization.

By crossing the two lists together the marketers find the names contained on both lists. This in turn provides them with one highly refined and targeted list to mail their offer to. This results in shortening the process of securing a new quality account holder thus lower the overall account acquisition cost of new accounts.

When a consumer learns how to intentionally put themselves into these databases to wind up on these refined lists, the credit building process is sped up exponentially. Of course, many would call this “highly speculative” but we have undeniable experience that it works.

DEPOSIT LOAN PROGRAMS: This is a technique so unbelievable that I myself proclaimed it had to be a scam before researching the facts. It allows the consumer (or business) to have a $25,000 to $250,000 loan appear on their credit report as “Paid as Agreed” by way of very creative financing. This method is extremely effective and not within the budget of most ($750 to $7,500 upfront). Also, because this technique takes advantage of certain banking laws, I have reason to believe it could be made unavailable at any time if those banking laws were to change. This method can be used with consumer credit files on SSN’s as well as business and corporate credit files done on TIN’s as well as Dunn and Bradstreet.

In the end, all of us need to remember that today our credit score is more important than it has ever been in the history of the credit reporting system. While credit miracles don’t happen overnight, you can create your own credit miracles by applying simple insider strategies consistently over time. Before you know it, you’re a proud member of the 700 Club. The “700 Plus Credit Score” club that is!

Jay Peters
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/insider-techniques-to-raise-your-credit-score-fast-83961.html

Deteriorated credit score is quite common nowadays. This has happened to take place because of the frequent ups and downs in the world economy. The prices of things sometimes raise so high that to afford things you are forced to go for loans. The result of such excessive debts is quite dangerous as that leads to falling down of the credit score. Therefore, after getting poor credit records you should now think as to how to repair it. Having a poor credit record all the time is not good as that affects a lot. Therefore, knowing about the free credit repair sources and other means will be helpful for you.

Credit repair actually means improving one’s credit scores. This proves involves obtaining copies of the individual’s credit report, reviewing the credit report for errors and misleading information; then disputing the information with the credit bureaus. For people with small problems in credit it is an easy and simple process but for other with very adverse credit records this is a complex one.

The best source for getting adequate advice on such credit repairs will be the Internet. You will be able to find lot many advisors online who are quite expert in helping people through their experienced suggestions. Almost all such suggestions and consultations which are done through online, use to be free of cost. So, whenever you need help going for the online free credit repair advices will be a wisely act.

You should only listen to their advices and put them in work by yourself. Relying on others for each and everything will not be good. This way you will also gain experience and saving yourself from having bad records later on will be easy for you. For repairing your credit the most important thing that you can do is to make the repayment of your debts properly. You should, in fact, keep the installments small and that will help you in maintaining regularity of repayment.

Sophie Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/free-credit-repair-achieve-good-credit-score-free-of-cost-704188.html

http://www.RMUCT.com — A Dallas Texas credit repair and restoration firm gives you the same free tips its employees offer to their own friends and family members. These tips are free to do and will help you get started with improving your credit score.

If you like these tips then please subscribe to our channel. In addition you are welcome to social bookmark and/or share this video if you believe that others will find it useful.

If you still need help then be sure to get a free, no-obligation consultation by calling toll-free (866) 599-8459 or visiting the website and clicking the “Contact” link. Thank you and we look forward to helping you.

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http://www.videocreditscore.com/find-a-sample-credit-dispute-letter/ – Credit Dispute Sample Letter – This episode focuses on showing you where to find sample dispute letters

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Ok, past credit messed me up. I have a judgement thats almost paid off. I am trying to raise my credit score.I have 3 new accounts that I’ve paid on time for over 1 year. I read that one way to raise your score is to " piggy back" on a relatives good credit ( have them add me to one of their good accounts and not use it) Is this safe, is it legal. I would love to hear constructive ways to increase my credit score. Please don’t judge me. Almost all of my " bad" credit accounts have been paid off. I put my sons first when the divorce came. They lived in the house that I paid for while I lived in a basement.

Here are a couple of things you can do to raise your credit score quickly.

1) Have a relative with great credit add you to their credit card account. This can raise your score over 100 points instantly, and has not risk to them! Even though your relative can add your name to their credit card account, they don’t have risk if they don’t give you a credit card.

2) Use your credit cards for monthly purchase, then pay balance down to zero every month. If you have the cash, this is a very quick way to raise your credit score. Remember, creditors cannot "see" your income from the credit report, but they can tell you have financial strength when you pay down your card balances every month. This technique can raise your credit score up to 80 points.

3) Use time. Most people don’t realize that a bad credit item has the most weight only in the first two months, then hurts your score even less after 6 months, and even less after 2 years. After 2 years, many bad credit items don’t even hurt at all. I know a friend with 6 chargeoffs that are 4-6 years old and her credit score is 620, good enough to buy a house. Sometimes waiting even a month or two for a bad item to age is all you need for your credit score to bounce back.

It doesn’t mean you are a bad person when you have a lower credit score. Bad things just happen. Good luck with your credit score!

I am planning to go to US in April. I will be in credit however have missed payments etc and have a bad credit history. Will this affect me getting a visa?

A working visa can be denied for a whole host of reasons. You should talk to your sponsoring employer’s immigration lawyers. BTW, you cannot get a work visa for the US withouit a sponsoring company.

clean credit report service at 1001 n.e. 125th st, north miami fl,33161

That company got closed down dude. They’re a bunch of scammers and all they do is lie to people and take their money. Check out the link below if you need more information about it.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0823220/index.shtm

Because of today’s unemployment situation, many people who previously had good to excellent credit have found themselves struggling to make ends meet each month. Because of that these same good, hard working folks have found themselves with missing or late payments and these have negatively affected their credit score. People often ask me, “How can I repair my credit now without spending a lot of money on a credit repair expert?” Certainly one can do their own credit repair, but it is not easy and requires that the person understand the underlying basic concepts behind credit reporting and credit scoring.

There are three credit reporting agencies and these are: Experian (www.experian.com), Transunion (www.transunion.com), and Equifax (www.equifax.com). The three major credit reporting agencies issue credit reports on individuals and companies and these reports contain some important information that helps them to determine your credit score. How much debt a person or company has is sometimes just as important as how little debt they have. In order to have a high credit score you need to have some monthly payments on secured or unsecured debt with which to build a payment history with. If you have too much debt, or if your balances are too high in relation to your credit limit then you could be considered a risk and consequently have lowered credit scores.

Credit scores can range from around 400 to over 800. It is very rare to see a credit score over 800 and scores of 700 to 720 are considered “A” credit for most creditors. Scores between 620 to 700 are considered “B” credit, and anything under that is considered subprime. Most companies will not loan to people with scores under 500. Scores are calculated by the credit reporting agencies based on complex mathematical algorithms and programs that were instituted by Fair Isaac & Company (FICO). When you get a credit score it is referred to as a FICO score.

“But how can I repair my credit now?” you may insist. You need to first request a free copy of your credit report from any or all of the three agencies previously mentioned, or you can pay a small fee for a tri-bureau report with FICO scores from all three agencies in one report. When you get the report it may take a while to figure out how to read it but with a little patience you will be able to see any positive or negative items which have been posted there. If you see any negative items that are not correct, you can dispute them online or in writing to the credit agencies. Once you dispute an item the credit agency will report the dispute to the affected creditor which they call an “investigation” and the creditor has a certain number of days (usually 30) by which they have to respond with proof that the negative item is in fact valid. If they do not respond, the credit reporting agency has to remove the item from your report and your score will rise.

So the answer to the question, “How can I repair my credit now?” is relatively simple but does take some time and energy on your part as well as persistence. You should also give serious consideration to utilizing the services of a credit repair professional. They know exactly how to do it right and can help save you a lot of time and aggravation.

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I’m working on raising my credit score…I have a few credit cards and have paid off one completely. Does your credit score raise immediately or does it take time? How long?

About a third of your score is based on the ratio of credit card debt to limit. Carrying balances of 30% hurts your score; 50% takes a big bite; 90% kills your score. As you pay off your overall credit card balances below those percentages, your score will improve.