How to Keep Good Credit
by: Developed from materials provided by the Bureau of Consumer Protection
The Basics
Once you have it, it's easy to keep good credit. To do this, you should
pay your bills on time
pay your bills in full
only borrow what you can pay back
protect your personal information, like your bank account, credit card and social security numbers.
If you lose your job or can't work because you are sick, call and explain the problem.
Your creditor may work with you until you can get back on your feet.
Your credit report
Your report lets lenders or creditors know if you pay your bills on time.
If you have good report
it may be easier to get a job.
easier to get a loan
it may make it easier to rent a place to live
Your credit report tells about:
bankruptcies
overdue property taxes
the names of all who have asked to see the report
Your credit report does not tell about:
your race
religion
how you vote
your medical history
if you have done crimes
You can get a copy of your report at any time. You can get a report from these credit reporting bureaus:
Equifax(1-800-685-1111)
Experian (1-888-397-3742)
Trans Union (1-800-916-8800).
When you call, you will need to give them your
full name
the year you were born
your social security number
all the places you have lived in the last five years
your husband's or wife's name, if you are married
Check your credit report every two years
You may want to check it sooner if you've had problems.
Check it more often if you've been turned down for a job or a place to rent in the past 60 days. (If this has happened in the last 60 days, ask for a free report).
When you check your report, make sure it doesn't have any mistakes.
What if there are bad things on my report
Bad things that really happened will stay on the report for 7 years.
If there is a mistake, you can get it fixed. Many reports have mistakes. To get one fixed, do these things:
write the credit reporting bureau
tell them in writing about the mistake
by law the company has to investigate and tell you what they find
Other things to remember
if your credit report shows many late payments it may be hard to get a loan. It may be hard to get a job.
late payments will stay on your report for 7 years
bankruptcies will stay on your report for 10 years
Last Reviewed On: 02/15/05
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