|
| |
Boost your business sales with Credit Card Payment Solutions
According to searchmerchants.com, Accepting credit cards is the most well known way to accept payment on the Internet. Almost everyone has a credit card and by accepting his or hers, it makes customers' ordering process much more convenient and time ...
Credit Repair Companies and Credit Counseling
Let's be crystal clear, right up front. Paying someone to "fix" your credit is a waste of your time and money, since the negative issues that are temporarily removed from your file will only reappear again in a couple of months. Be careful with credit ...
Prepaid Credit Cards Online
There are some websites you would like to purchase merchandise but you don't trust the website yet with your credit card information. A solution is in place, Get a Prepaid Credit Card! These plastic wonders help you protect your real credit card ...
|
|
|
|
| |
As of Thursday, December 1, 2004, one-third of Americans will be able to access their credit reports from all three main agencies for free. Passed in late 2003, the Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act creates a central source consumers can use to obtain a free annual credit report.
Equifax, Experian, and Transunion,the three largest credit reporting agencies, have set up a special site where consumers can request, view, and print their free report. That site is http://www.annualcreditreport.com and is the only authorized site to request your free report(s).
Those without internet access can call toll-free at 877-322-8228 or write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 to request their report(s). This service, which begins in the west coast, will eventually cover all the states by September 2005.
Although you’ll be able to see where you stand with your creditors, you won’t get any type of a credit score, such as a FICO score. Your credit score is the actual number ranging from 300 to 850 that lenders use to judge your creditworthiness and the interest rate they’ll charge you. The Federal Trade Commission is still considering what fee would be
reasonable for the bureaus to charge consumers to get their credit score.
Additional provisions of the FACT Act include: creating uniform credit standards, requiring retailers to hide all but the last five digits of your account number on receipts, and new “opt out” rights for consumers.
Also, banks will have to tell you if they are giving you credit at less favorable terms based on your credit score and alert you if they report any negative information about you to the credit bureaus.
Checking your credit report annually is a habit that you should exercise regularly, especially with the increase in identity theft. Unfortunately, if you reside in New Jersey, New York, Maine or any of the other Eastern states you’ll have to wait until September 1st of 2005 before you can check your report for free.
© 2004, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
James H. Dimmitt is editor of “To Your Credit” a FREE weekly newsletter focusing on money management news and tips. You can subscribe to his newsletter and also get a FREE copy of your credit report when you visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Sallie Mae will credit $50 fee to suspend paymentsSan Jose Mercury NewsThe idea is to keep their credit history in good standing, although the loans still accrue interest. Federal student loans do not charge to defer payments. Sallie Mae, formally known as SLM approves forbearance requests in three-month periods.and more » |
|
