Easy Debt Settlement

Despite what you may have heard or read, employers do not have access to job candidates’ credit scores. That should come as a relief to cash-strapped job seekers with maxed-out credit cards or other score-busting blemishes.

SEE OUR SLIDE SHOW: 7 Ways Job Seekers Sabotage Themselves

But your prospects for getting hired aren’t immune from a poor credit history. In most states, employers are able to check a potential or current employee’s credit which lists information such as balances on your loans and credit accounts, late payments, and debt collections.

About 13% of employers check credit reports for all candidates and 47% check for those applying to selected positions, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Employers are usually most interested in the credit backgrounds of applicants who will handle finances, hold an executive-level position or have access to other employees’ confidential information (such as human-resources professionals).

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Tags: Credit Score, Job

Think you might need to do your credit repair yourself? Learn how to fix your credit score with a free credit report and these three tips for better credit.

If you want to do your credit repair yourself, the first thing you need to do is get your annual free credit reports from the “Big Three” credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Once you have your annual credit reports, use the tips in this article to learn how to fix your own credit score.

Get Your Free Credit Report Online

To get your free credit report online, go to AnnualCreditReport.com every year. If you go to any other site that offers a free credit report or credit score with a free trial membership, you can end up paying fees.

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Tags: Credit Repair, Credit Score, Score

A bad credit score can hold you back. Take control and fix your credit score.

Having a bad credit score can prevent you from doing many things, such as qualifying for an apartment rental or obtaining a loan. You also must bear the burden of living with financial problems, which can be stressful. The good news is, you can start improving your credit score right away. With a little hard work and dedication, you can get a good score again.

Your Credit Report

An important first step is to find a copy of your credit report, which you can track down online. Your credit report will let you know exactly what your credit score is right now. You can also see on the report exactly what each of your outstanding debts are, and what old debts are dragging you down. Once you know what your credit report says, you can take the proper action.

Pay Your Bills

One commonly recommended method for fixing a bad credit score is simply to start paying bills on time. Pay all of your bills, whether they are loan payments, credit cards or utility bills, in full and on time. This will look great for your financial record, and your credit score will begin to improve.

Keep Accounts in Good Standing

Keep any bank accounts that you have in good standing. Never allow your accounts to be negative, as this also reflects very poorly on your credit score. If for some reason you don’t have a bank account, open one if you are able, and keep money in it at all times.

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If you have been able to pay off any credit cards in full, keep one or two of those accounts open and in good standing. Qualifying for credit and maintaining good account standing will help boost your credit score. Many credit card companies will automatically close inactive accounts, so use these cards once a month for a regular purchase, such as food or fuel, and pay the balance in full each month.

Get on a Budget–and Stick to It!

Avoid further debt and other credit problems by putting yourself on a strict budget, and sticking to it until your credit score has improved. Always pay off all of your bills before using money for any unnecessary purchases. Try to avoid taking out any additional loans or opening additional lines of credit, as this is just adding to your debt problem. Avoid temptation, or you could be in debt and have a bad credit score for a long time.

© 2010 Beth Wankel

Tags: Credit Score, Score

The basic details of what can raise or lower your credit score are obvious. Pay our bills on time and your credit score will go up. Skip payments or pay your bills late and your credit score will go down. Everyone knows this much.

The problem comes in when people believe that they know about what will raise or lower their credit scores but the information that they have is incorrect. Following are some credit score myths that you need to know about.

The Myth About Closing Older Accounts

Many people believe that if they close off older, paid off accounts then their credit score will increase. This is not the case. Older accounts that you have made timely payments to reflect well on your credit score. Closing the account may be the action that proves detrimental to your credit.

If, for example, you close an old credit card account then you will lose out on having that part of your good credit history.

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Tags: Credit Score, Score