What Happens When Your Credit Is Damaged? Do You Have Recourse?
The good thing about bad credit is that you can fix it. If you start now, over time, your bad credit can turn into good credit, and you could qualify for the loans you want at the rates you want. The most important aspect of rebuilding your credit after it has been damaged is showing lenders and creditors that you are serious about repaying your debt and that you can be a reliable borrower over a significant period of time.
Negative account histories remain on your credit report for up to 7 to 10 years, depending on the type of action. Bankruptcy can stay on your report for up to 10 years, and collections drop off after 7 years.
Advice varies widely as to the best methods to rebuild your credit. Some points most experts agree on include:
? Starting small - Don't be intimidated by large debt amounts. Even small payments, made on a regular basis, will improve your payment history and, eventually, your credit score.
? Spending less than you earn - Borrowing money to finance a lifestyle that is beyond your means will only land you deeper in debt.
? Paying your bills on time - Building credibility as a borrower involves meeting your commitments to pay, early if possible.
? Keeping your balances low - When using your healthier or newer accounts, keep the balance that you owe between 25% and 50% of your line of credit. An average of 30% is suggested.
? If your credit is damaged by circumstances such as divorce or possibly identity theft or fraud, do something about it. Go to www.creditdamage.com for more information.
Other tips might not seem related to your credit score. Staying at least two years on the same job demonstrates steady employment, and you appear more stable to lenders. You can also open an emergency savings account. Contribute to the account a little at a time on a regular basis. This will not only appear as positive activity to lenders, but also will serve as reserve money to keep you from charging unexpected expenses. Finally, stop borrowing for a while. Certainly avoid borrowing more money from home equity or other lines of credit to pay off credit card debt. Shuffling the debt does not make it disappear.
When establishing new credit, it may be necessary at some point to open a new account once you have paid down your existing ones. Credit unions usually offer the best deals to people with damaged credit. If you are unable to qualify for a credit card, try a smaller company, such as a department store or gas station that might offer you a line of credit.
You may want to look into getting a secured credit card. Offered by several banks and credit unions, secured credit cards are a positive way to show lenders that you can pay bills on time and be trusted with credit. To use a secured credit card, you will deposit a sum of money into a savings account and pay a small yearly fee to the institution offering the card. If you deposit $500, you will have a line of credit up to $500. Using your card on a regular basis and paying it off monthly in full could lead to a traditional line of credit. Once the bank or credit union sees that you are capable of maintaining your secured account, they may extend an offer to you with a fair interest rate.
Another option is to have a friend or relative co-sign for a line of credit with you. This step is risky because you are not only gambling with your loved one's good credit, but also with their good faith.
After a few months of good behavior, order copies of your credit report from all three credit agencies and check for improvements or errors. Be sure that negative information that you have remedied has been removed. File any complaints in writing and check your report again in a few months to ensure that the changes have been made.
Repairing damaged credit is time-consuming but well worth it, both to your peace of mind and to your pocketbook.
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing, strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications and public relations programs for small business sectors. She can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net or by visiting http://www.creditdamage.com or http://www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
MORE RESOURCES:
 China Daily | US August consumer credit falls by $7.88 billion, first decline in ... Forbes, NY - WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Americans unexpectedly decreased their credit borrowing for the first time in more than ten years, mostly cutting back on ... Video: Bernanke: More Economic Pain Ahead Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit Consumers Trim Their Borrowing |
 Boston Globe | Credit cards next in line for tightening Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By MARK GONGLOFF As consumers watch their wealth disappear in the markets, some are also at risk of losing one of their last spending lifelines: credit ... Fear gripping Wall Street Bailout should not include price controls on low-limit credit cards Fed's new arsenal firing blanks |
US consumer credit posts worst drop ever National Post, Canada - US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ... US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) |
 Reuters | With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash New York Times, United States - Tighter credit was a crucial factor in the stunning 26.6-percent drop in September vehicle sales in the United States. In September, sales fell below 1 ... Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link 700 US dealerships could close this year, says head of dealer group Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel |
 Reuters | Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation Reuters - N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ... Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal |
 Thanh Nien Daily | Credit gears of commerce are still jammed Houston Chronicle, United States - By MADLEN READ AP NEW YORK — The jammed credit markets barely budged Monday as governments around the world scrambled to prop up their failing banks and ... Credit woes: More than home loans Credit still tight after House OK's bailout Credit tightens as rescue bill heads back to House |
 The Money Times | Crude Oil Falls as Demand Slumps, Credit Market Turmoil Worsens Bloomberg - Global stock markets have plunged as banks freeze credit lines to investors and companies. ``Demand destruction is prevalent in developed countries with ... Canada energy stocks slump on credit woes, outlook Crude Oil Falls as Worsening Credit Crisis May Curb Fuel Demand |
Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ... MarketWatch - Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ... |
 Voice of America | Small US Businesses Feel Pinch of Tightened Credit Voice of America - By Mike O'Sullivan As the US Federal Reserve System announced measures to ease the credit crisis Tuesday, small business owners around the United States say ... |
Federal solar tax credit extended San Antonio Business Journal, TX - The Solar Electric Power Association expects solar generation to expand significantly thanks to the extension of federal solar tax credits to utilities. ... Solar energy gets huge earmark in bailout bill Will Coal Be Cashing In On the New Tax Credit?  Comment by Gregory Wetstone AWEA Sr. Director of Governmental & Public Affairs |
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