The Simple Truth Behind How Your Credit Score Is Determined
What is the FICO score? The FICO score is a three digit number which is used in North American that determines whether a consumer is credit-worthy. It was first introduced and named after a company called Fair, Isaac and Company. So obviously the factors that determine this number are highly important in proving your ability to attain credit.
All lending activities in North America are recorded by the three largest credit bureaus, namely Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. With this information the consumer is thus provided their FICO score which can range anything from 300 to 850. Thereafter, the score is used by many businesses in determining credit-worthiness. This could be done by an insurance company, a credit card company, a landlord if you are interested in renting a property and even some employers now use it too.
The determination of the actual score is carried out as follows:
- The payment history of the consumer. This makes up over a third of the entire score. So, if for example a consumer has made some late payments to pay off credit or perhaps even defaulted on some payments then this will very much go against their record. If on the other hand the records show quite the opposite and all payments have been made in a timely manner, then the FICO score will reflect this.
* Existing debts are also considered, and this make up another one-third of the credit score. The ratio of current debt to existing available credit is considered and this will reflect on the person’s score. Credit cards that have been maxed out are often very bad and it will definitely give a bad reflection of a person’s paying capacity.
* Length of the credit history, types of overall credit, and recent credit applications make up the final one-third of a person’s credit score. Of the three, the length of a person’s credit history is important because it determines the person’s ability to maintain a credit card. People who have had the credit card for very long will definitely be better clients than one who have just been using their credits for a few months. Recent credit applications will also be investigated; and people who have several pending applications will seem as though they are desperate for money and so might be a risk. Finally, the type of credit that people make is observed; and a person with a credit report that consists purely of credit card transactions will be a big risk.
The above points add up to make 100% of what we know as the FICO score. Hopefully you can use this information to improve your own score and thus gain the credit you would like with the terms and conditions to match.
Learn more about credit card help and a debt consolidation program to suit your needs.
What Is A Debt Consolidation Program And How Can It Help Me?
If you are really deep in debt and finding it tough going even to make minimum credit card payments then you need to find some credit card help. Obviously bankruptcy is not the option for everyone – another way forward is through debt consolidation, which will be set up to fit your current financial requirements.
There are lots of agencies that can help you with debt consolidation and credit card help, while at the same time providing education as to how to avoid this situation in future. They will help you with information about any form of unsecured debt, which includes credit card debt, store cards and other credit lines and loans.
Undoubtedly, having cash and the additional “plastic” as one’s mode of payment is quite, naturally, a good feeling to have. After all, should you not want to bring along cash with you, you would still feel secure in any place you go to, because those ‘plastics’ are as good as cash anyway. Should you accumulate too much debt? What if you have done a lot of swiping without really checking if you are still within your limit? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having that ‘plastic’ card with you all the time?
So what is the solution? Debt management programs and debt consolidation programs are certainly a very good option. But why are they special? In fact, why do you need to go to them? Shouldn’t you, as the debtor, be the one to take care of your finances, by yourself?
Carrying cash is, admittedly, unsafe and courting danger especially if you need to lug a big bag around. Carrying a credit card, in its place, is a lot more convenient and brings less attention to what you have with you, hence, less imminent to snatching.
Now, let us talk about the disadvantages. Anything that is done in excess is, as always, not a good thing. Spending too much money when there is very limited income to pay out is doubly dreadful. If you find yourself to be in this position, don’t fret. Don’t upset yourself too much. In fact, all you really need to do from hereon is to sit down and do your research.
Money will always be there to spend, but you have to make sure that you also work with your debt management companies as they pay those dues for you. On the other hand, these companies also have their negative aspects. Since these debt consolidating and debt management companies have been mushrooming in the past years, you have to make sure you are asking for a very reliable company’s help. There are several fly-by-night companies and you should be wary. Should the company request that you issue them post dated cheques, then make sure you ask around about this company’s reputation or search on the internet for some information about them first.
Furthermore debt management plans are not free. Charges vary but tend to be around $50 a month. Debt management agencies are under state law so they are only able to charge a certain monthly fee, but this is state-dependent.
Research and know what your contract states. Each state in the United States would have fees that these companies charge their clients, so know what is the maximum amount of fees for your state, and if the company who offers you their services is not charging that amount, make sure you double check with the department that handles financial and monetary matters.
You can learn more about credit card help and about a debt consolidation program to suit your needs.
Credit Card Debt Settlement Opposed To Bankruptcy In The United States – Which Is Best For You?
If you are in a dilemma about whether to file for bankruptcy or work out credit card debt settlement then you need to know a number of things to come to the final decision which is best for you.
So, you are in the position where you have been unable to pay off your credit card/s for quite a while now and its got to the stage where your card/s company have sold on your debt to a debt collection agency. Of course, the collection agency will contact you very soon as they want to get “their” money back and also profit too. They want immediate payment.
However, if not in the first instance, at least some way down the line, they will reduce the amount they are asking for, and very often it will be a very significant reduction of what was once the original debt. If you go ahead and pay, the debt collection agency will get, lets say, around 60% of the final payment you make, leaving just 40% of that for the original creditor/s.
You must be asking why the original creditor would be willing to accept such a small amount compared to what is owed, but before I answer that, lets have a quick look at some figures just to make all this clear.
Lets look at actual figures here.
- Your original credit card debt stands at $15,000.
- The debt collection agency offers to accept $8,000 as full payment from you.
- The debt collection agency receives 60% of the $8,000 as commission.
- The credit card company get 40% of the $8,000.
So at the end the card company will receive a total of $3,200, which although not nearly as much as you actually owe to them, is a more than they would receive in the case of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7 though, they would not receive a cent!
By taking the bankruptcy route you also have to pay other fees such as the following:
– filing fee
– attorney fees
– court fees
– pre-filing debtor education course fee (and you have to sit the exam too)
Further, if you are to discontinue with the plan at any stage your case will be dismissed and you will be right back at the beginning once again, having paid all those added fees, which you lose anyhow.
Thus it appears that unless your debt has now become entirely unmanageable – and I mean entirely out of control – you should always strongly consider a debt settlement plan before contemplating bankruptcy.
Learn more about credit card help and debt consolidation program to suit your needs.