Looking for a good credit report service

[SoreArms]

Finally, ready to take the first step in repairing my credit.

I recently took on a second job to help me in paying my debts, I've been there a little over two months now and I have yet to pay one of my outstanding bills. Every week theres something new that I want or I'm gonna go somewherr were I know I'll spend money so I keep putting it off. I finally realized that there's always gonna be something new that I want and there will always be excuses to spend money, so I need to just say fuck it and get started on this shit.

I once belonged to a credit reporting service where I payed $100 for the year, they would send me my credit report (from the three major reporting agencies) quarterly, and also notify me any time any one made an inquiry on my credit report, it was through a bank that I no longer have an account at though. I'm looking for something similar, cheaper if possible, that you guys could recommend.

I'm planning on knocking off all the smaller $500 and lower accounts that I have first, I probably have atleast ten of those in collections. Then I'll start chipping away at the bigger ones (1-$1500, 1-$4000, 1-$3000). Does that sound like a good plan?

Thanks in advance buds

 

[bran987]

man this board has been dead the past week

sorry sorebore

I've never used one, where's zxe003 or the other credit experts... come on guys!!!!!

 

[Razorguns]

All i can suggest is start paying off the ones with the higher interest rate. Or consolidate them all into one low-interest loan you pay monthly. It'll save you big bucks in the long run.

$100 is probably way too much. But there are good services out there that can retrieve your credit report and present it to you in a EASILY understood format (those reports are written like NASA schematics). I've never used any so i couldn't suggest anything.

 

[bran987]

yeah the one thing I do know is that does not cost $100 annually anymore

 

[zxe003]

SoreArms,

Sorry....couldn't give you a good referral for what your looking for, but I do agree with Bran that there are cheaper deals than $100 a year.

That's good that you've come to the realization of what causes your debt "snowball." That's probably the most important thing that you'll have to constantly remind yourself of until you're in the clear. Also, while paying less in interest is always a top goal, I think cutting down your outstanding balances is more relevant for repairing your credit quickly. That is not to say that you can't attempt to achieve both. I say go with your plan of knocking off the smaller cards quickly, this will reduce your line utilization on those open tradelines (thus improving your score slightly). If any of your cards offer a really good rate on balance transfers, you may want to do some shifting around and consolidation, but keep in mind, the goal is to chop down the balances and free up extra cash as quickly as possible.

 

[bran987]

anyone ever used freecreditreport.com?

 

[Synpax]

If you have recently been turned down for credit (and I think you can just presume that), you can write and get a report by mail for free from each of the three agencies - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion - by law.

 

[zxe003]

If you have recently been turned down for credit (and I think you can just presume that), you can write and get a report by mail for free from each of the three agencies - Equifax, Experian, and Transunion - by law.

True...but they don't necessarily have to give you your credit score. Your best bet is to request them online (much faster). I can't remember if it is Equifax or Experian that is really easy to get (and that actually gives you your FICO for no additional cost). The other one and Transunion will make you write for it anyways. And even then, they can and will charge you extra to get your score.

 

[SoreArms]

so I got my credit report this weekend (Experian only)

My score is 573, about 100 points lower than the last time I checked it about 3 years ago.

I also dont have as many "reporting" accounts as I thought there would be, only 4 delinquent ones showed up and a few others that have been paid off. One thing I did notice is that there are some accounts that have been paid off or in good standing that show up on the report. Does that mean that despite them being paid off they still show up to tell anyone inquiring about my credit that I might have had trouble in the past?

How much does the info vary from each of the 3 reporting agencies? Will each have accounts that are not on the others or am I OK with Experian's only?

Also, once I start paying off some of these accounts is ther esomething special I need to do or request so that they don't keep showing up on my report?

Thanks buds

 

[bran987]

damn, great questions!
one thing I do know is that the 3 reports will vary.

as for the paid off accounts that are still showing up, I think if the accounts are still OPEN they will show up until you cancel the card?

 

[zxe003]

Yes, the 3 reports will vary, and in some instances, may vary greatly. Your best bet is to always consult all 3. Some accounts may show on one but not another. As far as active accounts go....those will continue to show. Accounts that have been paid off and closed can be removed from your credit report, but I'm not sure if there's a grace period before this can be done. I know that there are credit repair agencies (not debt consolidators) that can clean up your report quite nicely and take off all the extra b.s. that shouldn't be there, however there's usually a pretty nice fee involved. They use their team of lawyers and credit reporting experts to clear up your report. One company that I know of locally (California) is Credit Line Financial. I've sent clients to them in the past, and they've done a really good job. They can even find loopholes to clear up bankruptcies, delinquencies, charge offs, etc.

 

[georgie24]

www.creditrepair.com