Tag Archives: credit

Building Credit

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By Sabine Love, CAP Service-Learning Intern
Feature on credit, blog 2 of 2, follows up with additional information on the What is Credit blog.

What are the different types of credit?

  • Revolving Credit holds a given credit limit that you cannot exceed. The balances are paid off, either through portion payments or in full every month, with the remaining balance carried over. The most common forms of revolving credit are credit cards.
  • Installment Credit is where your payments increase and you gradually pay back the creditor overtime, like student or car loans and mortgages.
  • Service Credit is a binding contract you enter where a business provides a service that you pay them for after—most commonly, cell phone plans, utilities, and membership services.
Helpful Hints: How to Build Credit. 1. Secured credit cards allow you to use money you deposit into an account. 2. Credit build loans, offered through credit unions, allow you to pay the credit union back over time. 3. Retail store cards may be an option when obtaining only one and paying off monthly.

How to build your credit

There are many ways to build your credit, such as through the different types of credit previously mentioned. But, what do you do if you cannot obtain revolving credit, or a car loan, because you have not been focusing on building your credit? You can build credit in other ways, even without a cosigner.

            Secured Credit Cards. These forms of credit cards have the same application process as a traditional credit card, but once you are approved, you deposit money into a separate account. With this card, the bank holds the deposit and you have a small monthly range of money to use. It is recommended to use only 30% of this total credit limit, making sure you can pay it in full and don’t “max out” your card.

            Credit Build Loans are the second tip, these are usually offered by credit unions (CU), and you pay the CU back over time through small monthly payments, once you finish the payments, you receive the total amount of funds back.

            Finally, there are Retail Store Cards, these you should be more careful with because they are typically quite easier to obtain than traditional credit cards. These cards usually can only be used at a particular store/chain of stores, and they offer lower credit lines and high interest rates. For those building credit, one card at a favorite store can help build credit, provided it can be paid off every month.

Building credit can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! There are credit education and counseling services available, such as through the Community Action Agencies, and some nonprofits. They are working to empower people to lead financially healthy lives.

And don’t forget, the Consumer Assistance Program is always here to help with any consumer questions you have.

This piece is one in a series of Helpful Hints brought to you by the Consumer Assistance Program’s (CAP) service-learning interns. UVM undergraduate students make significant contributions to our program and Vermont through their participation in our service-learning lab, where they learn about consumer protection while honing their professional skills.  

Please note, the information herein is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consumers with general consumer questions should contact CAP for more information, or seek private counsel from an attorney for legal advice.  

References:

GreenPath Financial Wellness

Experian – How to Build Credit

Credit Absolute

What is Credit?

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By Sabine Love, CAP Service-Learning Intern
Feature on credit, blog 1 of 2, precedes Building Credit blog.

For one, I feel that the knowledge of the world of credit truly is a terrifying separator between thinking you’re an adult and being an adult. But is the “world of credit” truly that scary? In my experience, I have come to understand that credit can be helpful for young adults, particularly people who are supporting themselves, starting out on their own.  

Let’s start with credit and credit score and credit report. Although they sound similar and both play significant roles in your financial health, they are quite different and play equally different roles.

  • Credit is an arrangement to borrow money now with a promise to repay it later, often with interest.
  • Your credit score, however, is determined by your credit history and determines your credit risk, an indication as to how likely you are to repay your loans. Potential lenders use the credit score to determine whether they want to issue you credit, such as a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, etc.
  • Your credit report is issued by credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, Innovis) that shows your credit history (lines of credit you have open). Remember to check your reports at least once a year to make sure there are no errors.

Now that we have the basics with definitions down, let’s answer some common questions:

How to establish Credit when you don’t have a history of credit?

Many may not know that credit can be established without having to ask another person with credit to co-sign for you or make you an authorized user on their credit card. You can apply for a credit account that is tailored to people that are new to credit. You can ask your bank about limited credit lines, or pre-paid credit cards that build credit.  

Even if you have never opened a line of credit, you can generate a credit report and check your credit history now. Things like utility payments and rent can be used to help build your credit if regular on time payment records are reported to the credit bureau.

Getting your Free Credit Report

  1. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228
  2. Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
  3. Or, contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually to request your report (see below).

This piece is one in a series of Helpful Hints brought to you by the Consumer Assistance Program’s (CAP) service-learning interns. UVM undergraduate students make significant contributions to our program and Vermont through their participation in our service-learning lab, where they learn about consumer protection while honing their professional skills.  

Please note, the information herein is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consumers with general consumer questions should contact CAP for more information, or seek private counsel from an attorney for legal advice.  

References:

GreenPath Financial Wellness

Experian – How to Build Credit

Credit Absolute

Credit 101

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Credit can be a confusing concept. CAP wants to make it simple for you! This post is a guide to credit, credit bureaus, credit reports and more.

What is credit?

Your “credit” refers to your ability to borrow money and how much you can borrow. Your “credit score” is determined by your credit history, and suggests how likely you are to repay your loans.

What is a credit bureau?

As noted in our September 2017 blog post, credit bureaus receive regular reports about your credit history from banks, financial institutions, landlords, utilities, and even employers. The credit bureaus then put all of this information about your use of credit together into a single file — your “credit report.”

What is a credit report?

A credit report provides you with a detailed overview of your credit history prepared by the credit bureau. A credit report includes sensitive information, such as your Social Security number and history of employment. It will also indicate whether or not your accounts are in good standing and when they were opened.

How can I get my free credit report?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.

To access your free credit report, you can…

  1. Visit annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
  2. Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
  3. Contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually:

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111 equifax.com

Experian: 1-888-397-3742 experian.com

TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 transunion.com

Did you notice something suspicious on your credit report?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, both the credit reporting company and the information provider are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report.

To dispute an error on your credit report, follow these steps provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

What is a credit freeze?

This free tool lets you restrict access to your credit report, which makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score, it just protects your credit. Under a freeze, you can still access your free annual credit report, and it does not affect your ability to apply for a job, rent an apartment, or buy insurance. However, if you are opening a new account, you will need to lift the freeze temporarily. Lifting the freeze is free.

Want to learn more about credit freezes? Check out this helpful FAQ page produced by the Federal Trade Commission.

What is a credit fraud alert?

A credit fraud alert is a free tool that makes it more difficult for identity theft and/or fraud to occur. According to the FTC, when you have a fraud alert in place, a business must verify your identity before it issues credit. Once you place the alert, it will be active for one year.

To place a credit fraud alert, contact one credit bureau and ask to place the alert. That credit bureau will then contact the other two bureaus.

Are you suspicious that identity theft has occurred?

If you see items on your credit report that might signal fraud, you can file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting identity theft to your local police is another important step in this process.

Signs of fraud on a credit report may include unfamiliar accounts and charges. The FTC provides a helpful list of other identity theft warning signs, including:

  • Inexplicable withdrawals from your bank account
  • Merchants refuse your checks
  • The IRS warns you that more than one tax return was filed in your name
  • You receive an official notice concerning a data breach that may have affected you

Questions about checking your credit and/or identity theft? Call the Consumer Assistance Program! (800) 649-2424

Contributing Writer: Madison Braz

Content Editor: Crystal Baldwin

Don’t forget to file your Equifax claim!

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Were you impacted by the 2017 Equifax Data Breach?

Don’t forget to file your claim and take advantage of free credit monitoring services! The deadline to file a claim is January 22, 2020. If you would like to exclude yourself from the settlement, comment, or object to the settlement, the deadline is November 19, 2019.

For more information about deadlines and filing a claim, visit the Equifax Data Breach website. If you were affected by the breach, you’re eligible for free credit monitoring or up to $125 cash payment.

Want to know if you were affected by the Equifax data breach?

Visit the Equifax Data Breach Settlement website to find out.

“I was affected by the data breach. Should I worry about identity theft?”

A breach does not necessarily mean you are a victim of identity theft. A breach means you are now susceptible to identity theft.

Identity theft is the unauthorized use of another person’s personal information to obtain credit, goods, services, money or property (for more information on Vermont laws regarding privacy and data security, click here).

Identity theft may involve fraudulent use of credit card or bank account information. In some cases, your social security number and other personal information may be used to fraudulently obtain driver’s licenses, lines of credit, loans or other consumer accounts.

Additionally, you may want to consider placing a security freeze on your credit reports. This is the most effective step you can take to block unauthorized use of your personal information. However, it does carry some costs and can create some minor difficulty if you need get a loan, credit card or other credit account. A security freeze does not affect your ability to use accounts that you have now. Find out more about freezing your credit files below and from the Federal Trade Commission.

Concerned about protecting your minor children from identity theft?

The Federal Trade Commission has excellent resources on child credit protection.

For the latest information about the Equifax Data Breach, visit the Vermont Attorney General’s website or the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

Contributing Writer: Madison Braz

Content Editor: Crystal Baldwin

Protect Your Credit: Get a Free Freeze

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Credit on ice

Under the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, credit freezes are free of charge to anybody, regardless of whether or not they are victims of identity theft. This new law requires credit-reporting agencies to eliminate the cost of credit freezes, credit unfreezes (thaws) and yearlong fraud alerts to consumers.

Website Required:  The three major credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian must design a website, where consumers can go to request this credit protection. The sites must also provide the ability to opt-out of receiving solicitations in the mail for insurance or credit card approval.

Protection for Children: The act allows guardians to request on behalf of children younger than 16 years old to freeze their credit.

Military Credit Offers: Members of the military with access to active duty alerts can request to remove their name from prescreened credit card offers for two years.


Why Should You Consider a Credit Freeze?

Identity theft is a type of fraud, which can be extremely detrimental to your financial and personal well-being. Identity theft often occurs when a bad actor gets access to your social security number or financial account number. Many consumers believe they won’t become targets for identity theft, because:

  • The odds are slim and assume it won’t happen to them.
  • They don’t have much money in their bank accounts to steal.
  • They don’t have credit cards and assume this means they don’t have a credit history.
  • They don’t have a poor credit history and believe a scammer will not benefit from having their information.

These arguments do NOT prevent bad actors from opening accounts using your information. The main concern is not the money you have but whether new accounts can be open without your knowledge, or consent.


Protect Your Credit

Issuing a credit freeze essentially stops any credit-reporting agency from accessing your credit score or credit report to a lender. Credit reports help lenders decide whether or not to extend a line of credit or grant loans to consumers. Often, without the ability to see the credit report, lenders will deny the credit line or loan, therefore protecting the consumer from unwanted accounts in their name.

Concerned that you may seek a line of credit in the future?—The thaw can help with that. You can contact the company before you plan to take on a new line of credit and lift the freeze temporarily.

The credit freeze is the best line of defense against bad actors stealing your information and using it for their own financial gain. Now that this process is free, anyone can consider placing a credit freeze on their account!

For more information about credit freezes or credit fraud alerts, visit FTC.gov or call our consumer helpline at 1-800-649-2424.

Contributing Writer: Alexandra Esposito
Content Editor: Crystal Baldwin

Sources:  The Federal Trade Commission