Blog - Chicago Credit Repair

Secure a Solid Loan by Improving your Credit

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Jaime Block

Everyone knows that personal credit scores are crucial when it comes to obtaining a loan for a car, house, or anything that is a large purchase; however a business credit score is just as vital for small business loans. Understanding the ins and outs of building or regaining good credit may seem complicated, and here at Nationwide Credit Clearing, we want to help by providing you with these simple tips to be familiar with.

KEEP THE UTILIZATION % AT A LOW

The optimal proportion of utilization is 30% which means, if you have a $10K limit on your charge card, try to keep the exact balance below $3K. In a nutshell, you want to have a lot more credit available than you actually need. The more connected you allow yourself to reach your max amount, the higher risk you look like.

ORGANIZE MORE THAN ONE CARD

10% of one’s credit score will be based upon the mix of credit you ACTUALLY use as well as how effectively you manage them all, so be sure to have multiple cards open as well as spread utilization equally amongst them. Do NOT cancel your cards in an effort to improve your credit score. Your cards need to be kept open with a low utilization rate.

TIMING IS PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING

Every time you submit an application, your credit score is checked. The greater number of applications you submit, the more reduced your credit score is going to b, unless you do all of your applying within a short period of time. Still, if all inquiries are set up within about 30 days or less, the reporting agencies will consider multiple inquiries as just one inquiry regarding a single purchase, so you want to keep your credit application window of this time as short as you possibly can.

MONITOR YOUR CREDIT SCORE OFTEN

Everyone is entitled to a free copy of their credit report from each one of the top 3 reporting agencies one time per year, meaning you can request a copy from a different agency every four months.

RECORD & TRACK ALL PAID OFF DEBTS

The more positive history you have of paid off debts, the better you look to prospective lenders, so make sure you keep those gold stars on your credit history as long as possible.

DON’T BE LATE

Your credit report doesn’t just cover credit cards & loan payments but it also includes every other payment you have made or are currently making. That unpaid $30 copay or electric bill will hurt you just nearly as much as a balance of $1k that hasn’t been paid on a loan or card (if it goes beyond 60 days that is).

Nationwide Credit Clearing recommends you check your report often and ensure you don’t possess unknown outlying debt..

If your credit score is not as solid as you would like it to be, start implementing these pointers and you will see your score begin to go up. Keep in mind, the right loans can in fact help develop your credit, and we can help get you there. Even though you may seem to have a hiccup and overlook a payment, do not let it discourage you. Pay the bill, and then keep moving forward; that dimple won’t be there for long.

If you still feel uncertain about how to even begin with these steps, Nationwide Credit is here to help guide you. We offer a free credit report and consultation. If it’s been a while since you have checked your credit score, please give us a call.

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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How Can A Bad Credit Score Affect You?

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Todd Stern

When you make a purchase using your credit card, you are typically not thinking about the affect it will have on your future. You probably aren’t thinking of the purchase as a test of your personal integrity or reliability. You are more than likely thinking about that new television you are purchasing or how your new watch will look on your wrist. In contrast, your creditors don’t care how your new watch will look or how much joy your new television will bring you. They want to recover the money they lent you, with interest. Lenders do not like borrowers with elevated credit risk (the risk that you will not repay the money you owe). To determine your credit risk, lenders will rely on your credit score.

Your credit score is based on the information that is provided in your credit report. It will include data on past loans, foreclosures, credit utilization, bankruptcies, credit applications, and more. Credit scores follow a scale ranging from 300 (most risky) to 850 (least risky). Lenders will often times segment the score ranges into classifications such as A, B, and C.

Your credit score will affect more than just your personal finances. Credit scores influence many aspects of your personal and public life, even including situations that do not involve borrowing money. The following are situations that can be affected by a bad credit score:

Getting approved for a loan will be difficult
Higher rates and restrictive terms on loans that you are approved for
Trouble renting an apartment
Trouble getting a job
Difficulty getting a mobile phone contract
Higher insurance premiums
Potential strain on your personal relationships with friends and family

Here at Nationwide Credit Clearing we will professionally assess your credit situation by procuring basic information that will allow us to obtain a copy of your current credit report. We will do this by a “soft inquiry” so that it will not affect your credit score. Our team of professionals will determine the best method of credit clearing to utilize on your case. Learn more about how we can help you!

Source: Money Crashers

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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How Many Credit Cards Is Too Many?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Todd Stern

You are at the register paying for a pair of new shoes at your favorite department store. The cashier asks if you would like to sign up their rewards program to save 10%. You are thinking who wouldn’t want to save 10%, of course you want to sign up. So you sign up for the stores credit card to get a discount on your purchase. Is that 10% off and a new credit card really benefiting you?

Stop and ask yourself if you really need another credit card. The more credit cards you have the greater chance you have of getting deeper into debt. It is important to remember that credit cards are not a form of supplemental income. The annual fees of the credit cards can also add up, so that 10% you saved will eventually cancel out.

Your credit score can also be negatively impacted by having too many credit cards. Which will in turn impact your ability to borrow money. Learn more about how a bad credit score can affect your life in our recent blog post (Little Known Causes for Bad Credit

In contrast, adding more cards can help your score by decreasing your credit utilization ratio (the amount of debt you carry compared to your available lines of credit). However, if you have a lot of credit cards with high limits and you go to a lender to take out a loan, the lender will take into consideration a situation where you ran those credit cards up and what your debt-to-income ratio would look like then.

So, how many credit cards is too many? There are people who are very successful using a single credit because it is easiest to manage one card. Having 3-5 cards is typically not a problem. But if you find all your credit card balances are increasing, that is a danger signal.

Source: CreditCards.com

If it’s been a long time since you have checked your credit report, give us a shout here at Nationwide Credit Clearing. Our Initial Credit Report and Consultation is Free of Charge! Call Today!

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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Credit Talk 2016

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Todd Stern

Little Know Causes for Bad Credit

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Jaime Block

Most consumers are responsible – the kind who pay their bills every month and never borrow more than they can reasonably pay back. However, even the most responsible person who feels that he or she is excellent with personal finance can find him- or herself with bad credit. The reasons may be surprising, and not all of us are aware of just how much can have long-term effects on our credit reports. Here are just a few little known causes for bad credit.

Persistent Late Payments

While most consumers know how missed bill payments can negatively impact their credit reports, many don’t know that persistently paying their bills late can also have a detrimental affect. Paying a day or two late once in a while won’t be fatal, but even if you miss your payment by just one day each month, it can play a huge role in watching your credit rating plummet.

Too Many Credit Applications

Having too many credit cards or too many lines of credit can ruin your credit. Even if you pay each off each month, on time, it still makes you look like a risk to other lenders. With the higher debt you could potentially have, the worse your credit can be. You may feel responsible enough not to max out each card or each line of credit, but lenders don’t always think that way. Limiting the total credit balance available to you will go a long way in making you look more attractive to other financial institutions.

Maxing Out Your Credit Limit

Be sure not to limit yourself too much when it comes to credit cards, however. If you find that you are constantly maxing out your credit card, you will look like a credit risk, causing your credit rating to fall. Even if this limit is paid in full each month, it still indicates to other banks that you could potentially miss a payment, making you a lending risk.

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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Bad Credit Requires Hiring a Credit Repair Company

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Jaime Block

Bad credit can affect every area of your life, from home ownership to being able to obtain a good job to replacing your car. Many people in need of credit repair simply avoid the situation, usually out of an abundance of anxiety or simply being uncertain how to proceed. This is where hiring a credit repair company can come in handy – they can help you handle the need for credit repair without putting yourself in an unfamiliar and scary situation.

Expertise and Experience

Credit repair companies have expertise in nearly every situation requiring credit repair. Some people find themselves in need because of a divorce, identity theft, or a sudden loss of employment. Whatever the reason, credit repair companies have experience in handling the situation with tact, sensitivity, and in a way that will work out best for the consumer. Think of how often you do the same task at your job, and how skilled you have become because of it. This same principle applies to credit repair companies. They have dealt with these situations on a daily basis since beginning to operate, making them experts at negotiation and at handling the unreasonable demands of creditors.

Detachment

For a person in need of credit repair, the situation is fraught with high emotions. This leaves the debtor in a bad position when trying to negotiate terms with creditors who know how to take advantage of the situation. A credit repair company is removed from the situation, putting them in a much better position to negotiate without feeling re-victimized by the process. A creditor is going to take demands made by someone who isn’t overly emotional much more serious than one who is, making a credit repair company a huge asset in this situation.

Speed

Credit repair companies help those who are in need of credit repair for a living, meaning they are significantly faster at identifying errors on a credit report and working with creditors than a debtor can. They have the time to answer calls as they come in, rather than going through the voicemail, call back, voicemail game of phone tag many debtors experience. Debtors are often busy working or dealing with other aspects of their life, and cannot handle their credit repair with the timeliness or accuracy of a credit repair company.

If you are someone who has tried to take these steps numerous times, yet can’t seem to keep up with all the chaos, then credit repair is right for you!

Why wait! Better Credit can be yours! Contact our experts at Nationwide Credit Clearing. “Home of the Free Credit Report and Consultation”

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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5 Ways To Be A Victim Of Credit Card Fraud

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Todd Stern

Credit card fraud takes place in a variety of ways. It can occur from someone dumpster diving to high-tech hacking. Perhaps a dishonest clerk or waiter takes a photo of your credit card and uses your account to buy items. The fact is fraud can happen to even the most tech-savvy consumers. Check out these 5 common ways consumers fall victim to credit card fraud.

Not Shredding Your Bank Statements: Do you still receive paper bank statements? With online banking many consumers don’t even bother to look at the statements that come in the mail. However, if you are still receiving statements in the mail there is action that needs to be taken. If you are disposing the statements, make sure the are shredded and illegible. If you are keeping the bank statements store them at home in safe place.

Not Checking For Skimmers: Thieves may attach skimming devices to the exterior of an ATM or POS system that requires a PIN. Before using a POS system check to make sure there is no unusual device added to the machine. Glue, scuff marks, or loose materials around the machine, are signs the machine has been tampered with.

Online Banking Using Public Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is becoming readily available at restaurants, coffee shops, airports, etc. across the country. How safe are these public networks? When using public Wi-Fi, it is best to not check the balance of your credit card. It is easier for hackers to intercept online transactions and passwords when you are using an open wireless network.

Responding To Phishing Messages: Have you ever received a text message from your “bank”, asking you to log into your online banking account? Be skeptical of these messages, especially if they request personal information such as your login or account number. Your financial institution has this information and won’t ask you for it. When you receive a message you are unsure of, contact your bank immediately before you respond.

Not Checking Your Account: How will you know if there are questionable charges on your credit card if you never check your account? Open your bills and statements promptly. If you see a questionable charge, report it!

If you or a loved one has been a victim of credit card fraud, contact Nationwide Credit Clearing to learn how we can help you. Call today (773) 862-7700.

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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What Is A Credit Report?

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Todd Stern

An extremely detailed report of a person’s credit history, that is prepared by a credit bureau, is what makes up a Credit Report. The report is typically used by a lender in determining a loan applicant’s creditworthiness, including the following:

Summary of credit history
Detailed account information
Personal data
Credit history
Details of any accounts turned over to a credit agency

The information includes how often you make your payments are made on time, how much credit you have, how much credit you are using, and whether a debt or bill collector is collecting on money you owe. It can contain public records such as judgements, liens, collections & bankruptcies that provide insight into your financial status.

How Does A Lender Use A Credit Report?

Lenders will obtain your credit card when you are deciding if they want to loan you money. They will also use it to determine what interest rates they will give you and to determine whether you will be able to meet the terms of the account they are providing. Other kinds of companies such cable, insurance, utilities etc. will always run a check to make sure you will be able to meet the financial terms of the program/service you are requesting. Additionally, an individual or company that is renting you a residential property can check your credit report before renting to you.

Who Makes A Credit Report?

Credit reporting companies, known as credit bureaus or consumer reporting agencies, create credit reports. The major bureaus in the U.S are Experian, Equifax and Transunion. There are also specialty consumer reporting agencies that can report your history of paying bills for a product or service.

How Nationwide Credit Clearing Can Help You

At Nationwide Credit Clearing we professionally assess your individual credit situation by procuring information that allows us to obtain a copy of your credit report. Our staff of professionals will review the information and determine the best method of credit repair to use based on your specific situation. Our long standing reputation working with credit bureaus goes back as far as 1985. NCC works with all three major Credit Bureaus:

If you or someone you know has something on their credit report that continues to hold them back from living a financially full-filling life, it’s time to call the Credit repair experts at Nationwide Credit Clearing

Nationwide Credit Clearing

“Home of the Free Credit Report & Consultation”
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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Credit Card Best Practices

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Jaime Block

Whether you are opening your first credit card or need a refresher, these credit card best practices are essential to maintaining a healthy credit score. While you may think you have your credit cards under control, there may be a few items on this list that can help you to improve.

Here’s the Rundown..

Look For A Low Interest Rate: When you are on the market for a new credit card, be sure to check the interest rate and annual fee. Read the cardholder agreement! It will give you insight into all the fees you can be charged. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before opening a new card.

Don’t Spend More Than You Can Afford: Don’t buy a TV that costs as much as your credit limit, just because you can. Purchase what you can afford to pay off at the end of that month. This will enable you to avoid interest fees.

Pay On Time: Show lenders you’re reliable, pay your credit card on time! You don’t want to pay that late fee. Also, be sure to check when your payment is due each month, it can change from time to time

Pay Off As Much As You Can: At the very least pay the minimum balance. Pay off the entire balance whenever you can, to reduce the finance charges you pay. As a rule of thumb, pay off as much as you can to avoid high interest payments. When you do have to keep a balance on your credit card try to keep it below 30% or less.

Avoid Cash Advances: When you choose to do a cash advance, a fee and interest rate is typically part of the deal. Interest rates for cash advances tend to be much higher. Only do a cash advance if it is an emergency.

Stay Within Your Limit: Keep track of what you are purchasing each month. If you stay within your limit, you’ll avoid over limit fees. Keep your credit card balance below 70% of your limit at all times. This shows lenders that you have control over how much credit you use.

Use Your Credit Card Regularly: Use your credit card regularly with the mindset that you will pay it off at the end of the month. This will show lenders that you have a proven history with being able to handle your money responsibly.

If you have tried time and time again to put these steps into play in your daily life but can’t seem to get anywhere, there is help.

Don’t wait! Better Credit is just a click away! Call the experts at Nationwide Credit Clearing. “Home of the Free Credit Report and Consultation”

Nationwide Credit Clearing
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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Paying only the Minimum Credit Card Balance

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Jaime Block

For many of us, opening a credit card is our first chance to start building a credit history. We believe that obtaining a credit card and using it responsibly will give us a head start on a long life of positive financial habits. Millions of credit card users are fulfilling their goal of swiping their card and paying it off each month. However, there are others who are struggling to get the money together to pay of the minimum balance. We all have a tight month every once in awhile, and paying the total balance seem so optional, compared to other bills. But what really happens when you pay the minimum balance?

How The Minimum Balance Works: Interest

As you are probably aware, you can swipe your credit card as you please, as long as you do not exceed the credit card limit. As with all debt instruments, the credit issuer gives you the option to pay the bill in its entirety or to pay a small amount to deal with at a later time. Interest will be added to the remainder, which in return will increase the price of your purchases. What is interest exactly? It is what the credit card issuer chargers their cardholders to extend the loan past the finance-free grace period. The lower your interest rate or annual percentage rate (APR), the less debt you will roll over month to month.

How Does The Minimum Balance Affect Me

Aside from the obvious, of having to pay more for your purchases due to the interest rate, there are other negative consequences to paying only the minimum balance.

Your Credit Score Will Fall: Making a minimum payment on your credit card is a quick solution for when you are short on cash. But the debt that you rack up over the course of a few months of minimum payments, will really mess up your credit score. 30% of your credit score is determined by how much debt you carry. Accruing charges on your credit card and failing to pay them off is like putting a dent in your credit score every month. Over time, this will add up to a lot of damage.
Your Monthly Bills Will Pile Up: As a result of the damage you will be doing to you credit score with minimum payments, other monthly bills will expensive to. These include obligations such as insurance, rent, and loans. Lenders and insurance companies tend to charge people with poor credit more.
Credit Card Costs Will Skyrocket: One of the most obvious impacts of minimum payments, is the unpaid balance building up. The average interest rate on a credit card is 15%, it will become very expensive to fail to pay off your balance in full. Additionally a lot of credit card companies charge a fee for exceeding your credit limit. When you are only paying off the minimum balance, this is quite easy to do.

What Should You Do?

Keep track of what you are spending. Make sure that you do not swipe for more than you can comfortably pay off at the end of each month. Credit cards are a great tool for building good credit. However, don’t give in to the temptation to rely on them to cover the balance of a purchase you can not afford. Just because you can spend the amount of your credit limit, does not mean that you should. Remember that your credit card activity is being watched. The credit card company will send the date of your opening to consumer credit bureaus, and every month report your activity. If you charge regularly, keep the balance at $0 and make all payments by the due date.

If you have high credit card balances, deragatory remarks, or even late payments and you just can’t seem to get yourself together enough to increase your overall credit score, there is help.

Nationwide Credit Clearing
2336 N. Damen
First Floor
Chicago, IL 60647

Phone: 773-862-7700
Toll Free: 877-334-3296
Fax: 773-862-7703
E-Mail: support@mynationwidecredit.com

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Secure a Solid Loan by Improving your Credit

How Can A Bad Credit Score Affect You?

How Many Credit Cards Is Too Many?

Credit Talk 2016

Little Know Causes for Bad Credit

Bad Credit Requires Hiring a Credit Repair Company

5 Ways To Be A Victim Of Credit Card Fraud

What Is A Credit Report?

Credit Card Best Practices

Paying only the Minimum Credit Card Balance

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