Jul 26, 2008

Do Not Let Deceive You!

Credit Repair Scams

Erase Bad Debt

Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Reportт

You've probably seen these headlines and others just like it promising to clean up or fix bad credit. For someone who suffers from a bad or poor credit rating, these headlines are certainly an appealing offer.

Imagine finally being able to buy that new car, get debt collectors off your back, and enjoy a new found freedom from your past debts.

Sound to good to be true ? It probably is. Once you fall prey to the credit repair offer and pay the hefty fees involved to clean up your record, here's what happens:

1) The credit repair scam artist contacts the credit bureaus and reports that the negative information in your file is false.

2) The credit bureau removes this negative information from your report while they investigate the claim.

3) The scam artist will then show you the cleaned up version of your credit report and ta-da your credit history has been fixed !

But here's what the scammer doesn't tell or show you. After the credit bureau completes their investigation the negative information is placed back on your credit report.

Negative but accurate information cannot be removed from your credit profile. Only incorrect information can be removed.

Accurate information remains on your credit file for a period of 7 years from the time it is reported to the credit agencies; a bankruptcy appears for a 10 year period.

Many legitimate companies exist that can help you with your debt problems. But how do you spot a scam offer ? Easy, they'll ask you for their fees up front. By law, credit repair agencies cannot ask for payment until they've provided the service they promised.

Additionally many states require that a credit repair service, whether they are for-profit or not-for-profit, must provide you with a detailed written contract, an explanation of your legal rights, and the opportunity to cancel any signed contract within 3 days.

Also, be aware that a credit repair offerт could be an attempt to steal your identity by getting you to provide personal information such as a Social Security number, bank account and credit card account numbers.

Always make sure you know who you are dealing with before accepting any offer to help you repair your credit. Those who don't can have their credit ruined further and create more debt problems.

Apr 23, 2008

Credit Card Telephone Marketing

Telephone Sales for Credit Card Rewards Programs

Often credit card companies have your phone number and they will attempt to call you to get you to buy more stuff from them or sign up for another credit card under the same account with a different name on it perhaps for a spouse. Telephone sales for credit card programs are quite common and many credit card companies partner with other companies who try to sell you stuff.

Often this infuriates clientele and nevertheless there is nothing the customer can do about it because they do actually do business with the credit card company already and that makes it within the law. What kind of things, credit card rewards programs?

Sometimes they give discount airline miles and sometimes they give discounts or prepaid merchandise cards and various large retailers. This helps the retailer, which is also their customer and it makes the credit card customer feel like they're getting a good deal even though they are get reamed by the high-priced credit card interest rates.

Telephone sales for credit card reward programs generally net about 10% of the people called and they know that since you already do business with them they can simply add costs on to your credit card. They also know those customers who pay their bills on time and therefore they know they will collect. Please consider this in 2006.