Myths of Credit Scoring
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation spun into the marketplace regarding consumers' credit rights. Here are a few examples of the most prevalent myths.
Myth #1- When I pay off an account, it will no longer be reported or be considered negative…Wrong!
Myth #2- If a negative item is deleted, it will just come right back on my report…Wrong!
Myth #3- Certain items such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, and tax liens are impossible to remove from a credit report... Wrong!
Myth #4- Disputing a credit report is easy and any consumer can do it for themselves… Wrong!
Myth #5- Creditors will read my 100-word statement and take my side of the story into account... Wrong!
Myth #6- Credit Bureaus are infallible, a branch of the government, or otherwise beyond reproach... Wrong!
Myth #7- I can get a new credit file by getting a federal ID number... VERY, BIG MISTAKE!
Myth #8-If I build enough good credit; it will offset my bad credit... Wrong!
Myth #9-A Credit Counseling Service can help me restore my credit rating... Wrong!
Myth #10-The law requires that an item remains on a credit report for 7 years... Simply not so.
Myth #11- I can’t have too much good credit... Wrong!
Myth #12 Multiple mortgage inquiries will NOT hurt your credit as long as they are pulled within x number of days. If you are telling your clients this, you are doing them a disservice. Invest a few minutes to find out the truth. (Your clients deserve it)
$ Credit Bureau Mistakes Cost You $
Results of a research study conducted by (PIRG), Public Information Research Group-Washington, DC.
• 29% of credit reports contained serious errors, false delinquencies, or accounts that do not belong to the consumer.
• 41% contained demographic information that was misspelled, outdated or incorrect.
• 20% were missing major credit, loan, mortgage or other information to demonstrate the positive credit worthiness of the consumer.
• 26% contained closed accounts that were closed by the consumer but listed as open.
•70% of the reports contained mistakes.
THESE ERRORS LOWER CREDIT SCORES AND COST YOU MONEY & CAN BE CORRECTED
Please everyone check your credit every once and a while.
