Getting your credit report in shape in 2009 is a sound New Year’s resolution. Here’s some tips that could help make it easier.
WATCH FOR SCAMS:
If you encounter a service promising to remove negative data from your report, it’s probably safe to assume it’s a scam. That’s because a debt collection can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the most common type and which wipes clean unsecured debt such as credit card bills, can be reported for up to 10 years.
DO IT YOURSELF:
Check your credit report regularly for errors or collections. The three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and Trans Union — are legally required to provide you with a free copy of your report once every 12 months. You can request your copy at . Credit reports are free, but you have to pay for your credit score.
ENLIST A CREDIT COUNSELOR:
If your debt is too daunting to handle on your own, consider visiting a credit counselor. To find a nonprofit that offers help, check the websites of either the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. (nfcc.org or .)
The Associated Press
