Credit monitoring services company advises consumers that few simple actions can help prevent credit report damage
Delray Beach, FL (Vocus/PRWEB) December 27, 2010
As consumers wrap up 2010, the last thing they may be thinking of is a plan to protect their credit scores in 2011. NationalCreditReport.com, a leader in credit report, credit score and credit monitoring services, reminds consumers that resolving to protect the scores that the 3 major credit bureaus (Experian™, Equifax™ and TransUnion™) report on them is very simple.
“Correcting credit report damage is a daunting task and could take months, even years depending on the type of damage,” said Samuel S. Ambrose, Vice President of Marketing and Operations for NationalCreditReport.com. “Being proactive and monitoring their credit reports and scores regularly can help save a consumer the headache of having to fix their credit score with the 3 major credit bureaus after the damage is done.”
Tips for Consumers to Proactively Protect Their Credit:
1. Consumers should obtain their credit report that includes a credit score at least quarterly and examine it thoroughly to get a complete understanding their credit history. Obtaining one’s own credit report does not affect the credit score.
2. Immediately dispute any inaccurate information on a credit report by informing whichever of the 3 major credit bureaus reported the information of the inaccuracy. Correcting any data that is found to be inaccurate can help a consumer fix their credit score. As per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information must be removed or corrected by the 3 major credit bureaus usually within 30 days.
3. Consider using cash. Even the credit score of a person that makes minimum payments on time each month can be affected by overusing their credit cards. Maxing out a credit card affects one’s credit utilization ratio: how much credit the consumer has available vs. how much is used. Too high of a ratio can cause one’s credit score to decrease.
4. Take measures to prevent identity theft. Simple things like shredding non-essential documents, making sure that computers and any other devices that are connected to the web are protected by programs to defend against outside threats and having mail sent to a P.O. box can prevent possible identity theft before it happens.
5. Participate in a credit monitoring service that watches one’s credit file for new activity, account changes, credit fraud and identity theft.
Consumers interested in buying their credit report with no trial can visit http://www.nationalcreditreport.com/nostringsoffer to buy their credit report and score without being enrolled in a credit monitoring service.
About NationalCreditReport.com
Since 2004, NationalCreditReport.com has specialized in providing credit information and credit monitoring services to consumers to help them understand their credit report and score. NationalCreditReport.com encourages consumers to check their credit report from the 3 major credit bureaus on a regular basis.
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Alison Lynch
NationalCreditReport.com
561-805-8000
Email Information
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20101228/bs_prweb/prweb8037347_1
Category: Identity Theft Watch