Consumer Credit Counseling Article
Checking Your Credit Score
If you are trying to obtain a car loan or buying a house, you will want to make sure you know what your credit score is. The decision regarding whether you will obtain credit and your interest rate will most likely be determined by your credit score.
You will want to check your credit score on a regular basis to assure that the information is correct. The lenders want a concise brief overview of your credit history in order to determine if you are a good credit risk. The credit score provides this information. The higher your credit score, the better off you are as far as being approved for a loan and paying a lower interest rate.
The Fair Isaac Corporation has devised a calculator to assess all of the information and then to make the determination about the credit score. The three major credit agencies use this information. However, sometimes the information is inaccurate so make sure you regularly check your credit information to assure the information is current and correct.
However, your credit score is not the only information that creditors look at. They will also look at how long you have lived at your current address, salary, how long you have been at your current job, bill paying history and the amount of debt that you have.
The Fair Isaac Corporation gives each one of these factors a percentage and then the combination is your score. The scores range between 300 and 800. The higher your score, the better credit rating you have.
If you are interested in checking your credit score, ask for a copy of your credit report. If there are errors on the report, contact the credit bureau and let them know. Then recheck your report again in a few weeks. If the information has not been corrected, submit something to them in writing and ask them to respond or to correct the error.
It is not uncommon to find errors. Once you review it, you may be surprised by what you find. You may find out dated information, inaccurate information and partial reports. Your creditors may follow up with them on a semi regular basis and the information may not be current.
Once you review the information, you may want to contact them directly with questions. There are also agencies that offer free services to assist you with negotiating with the creditors to reduce your payments and to discuss payment options.
Most creditors will work with you if you have extenuating circumstances and may need more time to pay off the debt or to negotiate a settlement. Try to work with your creditors so that you are able to improve your score and hopefully, lower your interest rates.
