The Importance of Good Credit

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This presentation includes essential credit information needed when approaching a lender, including how to get lenders on your side, when to apply for loans and what common mistakes to avoid.

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WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF CREDIT CARD

DEBT?

Total Balances : $40,000.00

APR (Interest rate): 15%

Monthly Payment: $800.00

Total Finance Charge: $23,164.59

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Total Cost: $63,164.59

TO AVOID NASTY SURPRISES !

SURPRISES

o Low Score

o Unknown accounts or information

o Forgotten accounts: vendors, cell phone, utilities

o Prior Late payments

o Judgments/ Liens

o Collection items: Delinquencies, Collection agencies

o Duplicate Items

CREDIT SCORE BASICS

Credit score: is a number used by banks, representing the creditworthiness, the likelihood that person will pay his or her debts.

The FICO Score is calculated from over 20 different factors that are grouped in five categories outlined below.

DO I HAVE A GOOD SCORE?

National average FICO credit score is 691

60% of people fall between approximately 650 and 799

37% of adults admit they do not know their score

Average credit score in Massachusetts is 677

CREDIT REPORT

Credit report: A compilation of personal, financial, and alternative information collected from various sources that a consumer has had a relationship with. These sources are typically creditors, lenders, utilities, debt collection agencies and the courts

You have the right to request a FREE Credit Report every 12 months:

Visit: www.annualcreditreport.com, orcall 1-877-322-8228

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

Personal information:

Verify accuracy of:

social security number

name

current and previous address

employer information

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

Collection or Delinquent accounts

Past due/ delinquent accounts

Charge-offs

Public items:

Judgment

Bankruptcy

Lien/Garnishment

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

Are the accounts updated properly?

Are the current account statuses accurate?

Are there any accounts reported more than once?

Are there any missing accounts ?

Are the payment history fields accurate ?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

Utilization Ratio

Am I maxed with my cards ?

Is it below 50% ?

Which accounts should I lower the balances on?

Which account should I increase the limit on?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT?

Inquiries

An inquiry is when a request is made to review your credit report.

A “soft inquiry” is when you request your own credit report. This does not affect your credit score.

A “hard inquiry” is when a third party makes a request for your credit report. This has a negative effect on your credit score, usually 2/3 points.

RECAP

Buy credit scores

Request credit reports

Verify the accuracy of the information

Payoff delinquent accounts

Improve Utilization

Stay away from “Hard Inquiries”

>>> SLIDE

CONTACT INFO

Joel Francois

joel@mylocaldebtrelief.com

Francois and Associates

500 West Cummings Park, Suite 2425

Woburn MA 01801

Tel 800-355-1082

www.mylocaldebtrelief.com

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