Credit Reporting 101

Let's take on the fundamentals of the credit reporting system. From the big three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, to your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, this article will help you navigate the credit report maze.

The credit reporting agencies - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian (formerly TRW) are the three national credit reporting agencies that keep records on consumers. The reporting agencies work with lenders, creditors, insurers and employers to update and distribute your information to the appropriate institutions. Here's an example of how the system works:

1. When you apply for a new credit card the creditor requests a copy of your financial history from the reporting agencies. This causes a "hard inquiry" to be recorded on your credit report.

2. The creditor uses your credit reports and scores along with income and debt information to determine what rates to offer.

3. You start to use the new credit card and the creditor reports your activities to the credit reporting agencies about every 30 days.

4. The credit reporting agencies update your credit report as they receive new information from creditors or lenders.

5. Your credit profile changes based on your financial activity. The next time you apply for a credit card or loan, the process repeats.

Your credit report - Your credit report is divided into six main sections: consumer information (address, birthday and employment), consumer statement, account histories, public records, inquiries and creditor contacts. When you open a new account, miss a payment or move, these sections are updated with new information. Old negative records will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years. Positive records can remain on your credit report longer. Not all creditors report to all three agencies and the agencies obtain their data independently so your reports from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian could be substantially different from each other. That's why it's important to check your three credit reports every 6-12 months to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Correcting inaccuracies - Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumers are protected from having inaccurate information on their credit reports. If you find an inaccurate record on your report, try contacting the creditor or lender associated with the mark first. These companies can usually correct the mistake and send an update to the credit reporting agencies. If you can't make progress this way, you can also dispute the inaccuracy directly with the credit reporting agencies.

Working the system - Managing your credit and maintaing a good credit history can lead to better rates on major purchases. We recommend that you check your credit reports every 6-12 months or at least 3 months before a major purchase in order to guard against damaging inaccuracies and identity theft. Routine check-ups along with paying your bills on time, keeping your credit card balances below 35% of their limits and correcting any negative inaccuracies will help you maintain a healthy credit profile.

Financial Education Services (FES) and FES Protection Plan

Financial Education Services - FES Protection Plan

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Can anybody qualify or use FES DebtZero? Is FES DebtZero right for me?

If you have a checking account, make more money than you spend and have debt that you want to pay off quickly then FES DebtZero will work for you.

How Does FES DebtZero Work?

1. Deposit Income

Deposit your income, as you normally would, into your standard checking account. It doesn't matter if you direct deposit or hand it to a teller. FES DebtZero is a web-based program that is used as a management tool like a navigation system for your finances. Provide the secure FES DebtZero system your financial overview and the system will offer step-by-step direction so you can properly apply optimal payments toward your debt. FES DebtZero directs you on the best quickly pay off your debt that is also conducive to wealth accumulation. The less money that you have to pay on interest, the more money you'll have growing in your account.

2. Follow Prompts

The program looks at your deposited funds, expected expenses, dates they are due, and safely reserves funds for any unexpected expenses. FES DebtZero then analyzes this information and generates monthly prompts that will provide precise directions for paying off 100% of your debt, without any alteration to your existing lifestyle. In other words, you will still be able to enjoy yourself while paying down your debt!

3. Pay Expenses

Continue to use your checking account to make payments to your monthly bills, as they become due. If you currently pay your bills using online bill pay you can continue to do so. You will also use your checking account for daily budgeted spending (i.e. gas, groceries, entertainment etc). Any money that you have not spent is left in your account to accumulate and then used to pay off your debts or mortgage.

For more information contact

Mark Bustamonte Regional Sales Director Financial Education Services 954-707-2932 Direct

Financial Education Services (FES) and FES Protection Plan

VR Tech announces name change to Financial Education Services

At the first annual National Convention in Atlanta, GA in February 2010, VR Tech Marketing Group announced the name change to Financial Education Services (FES) to better identify the mission of the company and related product line.

Coral Springs, Florida (PRWEB) March 5, 2010 -- VR Tech Marketing Group, in order to better identify it mission, products and services, announced a name change to Financial Education Services (FES).

VR Tech Marketing Group, now Financial Education Services (FES) has been in successful operation for over 7 years. FES has worked with consumers since 2003 to help educate consumers about the importance of credit as well as providing resources to help consumers improve and maintain there credit rating.

Financial Education Services over the years has continued to build it's product line by adding products that enhance the credit restoration process. FES recognizes that the key to helping someone that has credit issues requires more then just deleting derogatory items from the credit report.

Some on the enhancements include the VR Tech Prepaid MasterCard as well as the UltraScore program. The prepaid MC offers an unsecured minimum line of credit that is acquired by applying a direct deposit from an employer to the consumers card. This ensures the repayment of the unsecured line as well as building good payment history.

UltraScore provides a comprehensive credit analysis for the consumer as well as an "Action Plan" to help the consumer understand all the components of there credit profile and what they need to do in order to maximize there credit in the most efficient manner.

Another major announcement that was made a the National Convention was the creation of the YFLF (Youth Financial Literacy Foundation) and the YFL (Youth Financial League) designed to help teach youth the importance of being financially literate. This program is geared toward youth ages between 8 to 18. This program will provide interactive web based teaching modules. Youth that complete the financial curriculum will be eligible for educational scholarships.

As well introduced was the launch of the FES Protection Plan. The FES Protection Plan is holistic approach to help consumers protect all areas of their finances and includes: Positive Credit Builder, Identity Theft Protection, Estate Planning, FES Debtzero.

FES Debtzero is a web based application that helps consumers to establish a clear and precise method of eliminating personal debt, secured or unsecured, in the most effective way. This tool will show the consumer how to repay there debt while creating discretionary income for savings.

Financial Education Services (FES) with it's long history of success as a company and very high valued products is positioning it self to be a major player in the revitalization of the economy by address the issue of financial illiteracy in communities all across the country.

For additional information about how you can on Financial Education Services (FES) please contact Mark Bustamonte at 954-707-2932 or visit https://www.myfinancialeducationservices.com.

About Financial Education Services (FES):

Financial Education Services, Inc. ("FES") is primarily engaged in providing financial education services and products for the benefit of a federal credit union, its members, the members of other credit unions contracting with FES, and to prospective credit union members.

For more information contact:

Mark Bustamonte, Sales Director Financial Education Services 954-707-2932

Financial Education Services and Prime Financial Credit Services Financial Empowerment Network Team

VR Tech announces name change to Financial Education Services

At the first annual National Convention in Atlanta, GA in February 2010, VR Tech Marketing Group announced the name change to Financial Education Services (FES) to better identify the mission of the company and related product line.

Coral Springs, Florida (PRWEB) March 5, 2010 -- VR Tech Marketing Group, in order to better identify it mission, products and services, announced a name change to Financial Education Services (FES).

VR Tech Marketing Group, now Financial Education Services (FES) has been in successful operation for over 7 years. FES has worked with consumers since 2003 to help educate consumers about the importance of credit as well as providing resources to help consumers improve and maintain there credit rating.

Financial Education Services over the years has continued to build it's product line by adding products that enhance the credit restoration process. FES recognizes that the key to helping someone that has credit issues requires more then just deleting derogatory items from the credit report.

Some on the enhancements include the VR Tech Prepaid MasterCard as well as the UltraScore program. The prepaid MC offers an unsecured minimum line of credit that is acquired by applying a direct deposit from an employer to the consumers card. This ensures the repayment of the unsecured line as well as building good payment history.

UltraScore provides a comprehensive credit analysis for the consumer as well as an "Action Plan" to help the consumer understand all the components of there credit profile and what they need to do in order to maximize there credit in the most efficient manner.

Another major announcement that was made a the National Convention was the creation of the YFLF (Youth Financial Literacy Foundation) and the YFL (Youth Financial League) designed to help teach youth the importance of being financially literate. This program is geared toward youth ages between 8 to 18. This program will provide interactive web based teaching modules. Youth that complete the financial curriculum will be eligible for educational scholarships.

As well introduced was the launch of the FES Protection Plan. The FES Protection Plan is holistic approach to help consumers protect all areas of their finances and includes: Positive Credit Builder, Identity Theft Protection, Estate Planning, FES Debtzero.

FES Debtzero is a web based application that helps consumers to establish a clear and precise method of eliminating personal debt, secured or unsecured, in the most effective way. This tool will show the consumer how to repay there debt while creating discretionary income for savings.

Financial Education Services (FES) with it's long history of success as a company and very high valued products is positioning it self to be a major player in the revitalization of the economy by address the issue of financial illiteracy in communities all across the country.

For additional information about how you can on Financial Education Services (FES) please contact Mark Bustamonte at 954-707-2932 or visit https://www.myfinancialeducationservices.com.

About Financial Education Services (FES):

Mark Bustamonte is a Sales Director for Financial Education (FES) services and has been a member since 2003.

Contact Info

Mark Bustamonte, Sales Director Financial Education Services 954-707-2932 http://www.myfinancialeducationservices.com http://www.primefinancialcreditservices.com http://www.financialempowermentnetwork.com

What is the definition of accurate information?

This is the $64 question. The Yale University School of Law put together an excellent publication that states, "Consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information..."

http://www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/documents/FairCreditReportingAct.pdf This is the first key to understanding what information can be placed on your credit report and which party bears the burden of proof. There are volumes of case law on this subject, but don't expect to see the credit bureaus placed in a negative light when looking for this definition on their websites. This would be like the IRS providing you with a guide on how to fool the tax auditor.

Consumers don't really know what should and should not be on their credit reports and hence, don't have the basis to challenge the information it contains. Look at the class action law suit filed at www.bankruptcydischargesettlement.com. This law suit alleges that bankruptcy debts in particular were manipulated to bring down credit scores more than they would be from the bankruptcy itself. There is a clear advantage to banks and insurance companies who profit from charging higher rates and fees to this class of consumer.

The process of identifying "inaccurate, incomplete, and unverifiable" information is best accomplished by someone who knows exactly what information is being reported. Many times, there can be something as simple as the opening date of the account that is wrong. Be definition, this is inaccurate. If the last activity date is unknown, this is incomplete. If the current balance on a loan cannot be verified, then that information is unverifiable. There are numerous other pieces of data that all fall under this same category.

What version of FICO is being used to generate my score?

Remember when Microsoft's Windows '95 was getting all the press? Since then there have been a multitude of newer and better versions of the operating system, and right now Microsoft is promoting Windows 7. FICO is nothing more than a software algorithm that crawls through the data on your credit report; much the same way as Google will crawl through web sites looking for content. The purpose of the FICO software is to try and predict your chances of defaulting on future debt obligations within the next 2 to 3 years. So how many versions of FICO are out there?

At least three that we know of. Until recently, the mortgage industry was able to use a version written back in 1998. This was only available for the data contained in a Trans Union report, but nevertheless, there were instances when the 1998 version gave you a higher Trans Union FICO score, and those 5 to 10 points were sometimes the difference in getting a loan.

Most banks using FICO are using the version created in 2004, which is commonly referred to as FICO Classic. The Fair Isaac Company is aggressively promoting the newest version of FICO which has been dubbed FICO '08.

Important Information To Check In your Credit File

Most people focus exclusively on the negative trade lines reporting on their credit file.

The following is some other important data that should be considered as well, courtesy of MSN:

Are your employer and your job title listed? If you've had the job less than two years, your previous employer and job title should be listed as well.

Is your address listed and correct? If you've been there less than two years, is your previous address listed as well?

Is your Social Security number listed and correct?

This is the way most lenders will identify you.

Is your telephone number listed and correct? Many lenders may not extend credit if they can't call you to verify information.

Does your report include all the accounts you've paid on time? Some lenders don't report regularly to credit agencies, and some report to only one or two, rather than all three.

You can ask the creditor to report the account to an agency that doesn't list it. If the creditor refuses or doesn't respond, you can send a letter to the agency with a copy of your latest statement and canceled checks to prove you've been paying on time.

Financial Empowerment Network Team and Prime Financial Credit Services