Credit Coaching Strategies for Complex Credit Reports

5/16/2016
Darryl Dahlheimer, Program Director
LSS Financial Counseling – Conquer Your Debt®
888-577-2227 or www.ConquerYourDebt.org
LOAN RATES: Risk-based pricing means lower interest rates for higher credit scores.
680-700 score = 3.7% loan or $1382 per month on 30-year, $300,000 mortgage
620-640 score = 4.9% loan or $1592 per month ($210 extra/month = $2520/year)
EMPLOYERS AND LANDLORDS: sort through the quality and volume of applications
for jobs and apartments, using lowest credit scores to toss out those applicants
INSURANCE RATES: also risk-based pricing, but 2015 Pew research study analyzing
car insurance rates found that credit score now tops driving record in setting price
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 Surest path: Mail in the form found at www.annualcreditreport.com
 Use simple dispute letter to remove or update incorrect info
 Dispute process often broken, so teach advocacy, escalating assertion tactics
 www.naca.net has network of consumer attorneys specializing in FCRA rights
Fixing errors on your credit report is free and easy, though may need persistence
 Send dispute letter in writing, keep a copy
 FCRA requires bureaus to investigate within 30 days and report results to you
 If error confirmed, report is corrected and updated
 If not heard back within 6 weeks, follow-up letter
 Do not use “credit repair” services (frequent use of fraud tactics such as file segregation or frivolous mass-disputes)
Do not use debt “settlement” services which result in bad legal and credit outcomes
> Reported as “settled for less than full balance” = very negative
> Typical coaching to “stop paying creditors” = faster creditor legal action
> Results in 1099 form when forgiven amount = taxable “income”
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o Your homebuyer dreams
o Your age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status
o Your salary, occupation, employer or employment history
o Where you live or rental history
o Your banking history or interest rates being charged on each account
o Any criminal record
o Whether or not you are in a nonprofit debt management plan or credit counseling
o Inquiries (requests for your report) that are from consumer, promotional, or admin
What Makes Up Your FICO Score?
Main factors: pay on time, pay down debt
Types of
Credit
Inquiries 10%
10%
Length of
Credit History
15%
Payment
history
35%
Debt to
Credit Limit
Ratio
30%
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 Credit reports are free once/year, but FICO credit score costs
 FICO score $20 at www.myfico.com
 FICO score range estimator is free at www.myfico.com
 Vantage Score cost varies, order from the bureaus
 “Free scores” often are not FICO score, but “fake-o” – check to be sure
 FICO score range 300-850 – and aim for 700 and up
 Vantage score range from 500-990
 FICO much more widely used by creditors
Continually build new, good credit record
Make monthly payments on time, and pay more than the minimum required payment
Keep monthly balances under 30% of the credit limit (ideal = pay account in full each month)
Limit application inquiries (but mortgage and car loan inquiries in same month count as one)
Credit cards are fastest way to boost score, as debit cards don’t report to bureaus – use and pay in full
If unable to get a regular credit card, get secured credit card at local credit union or bank (not online)
Improve old, negatives on credit record
Get going on debt repayment with written payment plan or DMP and faithful monthly payment
On old debt, once paid off, write bureaus to show accounts as “paid in full, zero balance”
Avoid bankruptcy or debt “settlement” services unless absolutely buried in debt that can’t be paid
Time and effort can improve all credit reports
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 Zombie debts and complexity of debt buyers and debt collectability
 Identity theft issues and using MN Credit Freeze law to more quickly solve
 Credit rebuilding after a bankruptcy, repo, or foreclosure
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