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Tag: credit score

  • Will Filing for a Consumer Proposal Ruin Your Credit?

    One of the questions we’re asked most often has to do with filing for a consumer proposal and your credit score. Many people want to know – if you file for a proposal, will your credit be ruined?

    The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.”

    To start, we need to look at what classifies as having “good” credit. If your credit score is in a high range, but you’re considering filing for a consumer proposal, we’re going to hedge a bet and say you probably don’t have “good” credit.

    Good credit is more than just your score. If you’re loaded in debt, have maxed-out credit cards, and are only making the minimum payments each month, that’s not good credit. Not to mention, it’s unsustainable for long-term financial health.

    Your credit score is based on many factors, including the amount of new credit you take out, your payment history, and the amount of debt you carry. For example, if you have a total credit limit of $5,000 and consistently carry a high balance, your credit score will be impacted. So, if you’re in debt and struggling to make ends meet, it’s very likely your credit is already being affected.

    Not only that, but then you have to consider the consequences of what would happen if you miss a debt payment completely. Defaulting on your current debts is the quickest way to get a bad credit score. Missing even one payment can be detrimental. And if you default on multiple accounts (phone bills, utilities, etc.) you might lose track of what’s been paid and what hasn’t, meaning your score will be harmed even further.

    If you’re already struggling with debt, even if you’ve been making minimum payments, there may be a month where you can’t make that payment. Or if Canadian interest rates keep increasing, it could hike your debt up to an unmanageable level. And then your credit score will be hurt anyways.

    Worse still, if you do default on a payment, that bad credit will remain for seven years after it’s resolved. This means it will stay after it’s paid in full, settled in full, or included in a consumer proposal, credit counselling, or bankruptcy.

    Now let’s look at the other side of the coin: filing for a consumer proposal.

    A consumer proposal stays on your credit for three years after it is paid in full. Typically, many people pay off a consumer proposal in four or five years, so the consumer proposal credit score could stay on your record for seven or eight years if you follow this path. But because you make a single settlement that addresses all debt, once the creditors accept it, you don’t have to take four or five years to pay if off. If you have the funds, it can be paid in full at any time.

    Plus, if you can make more than the minimum payments, you can pay off a consumer proposal sooner and start credit repair that much quicker.

    You can also start rebuilding credit right away after filing for a consumer proposal. Getting a personal loan or a secured credit card that reports to your credit report are two great ways to do it.

    Traps you want to avoid in either case, whether you file for a consumer proposal or not, are things like payday loans or creating more unsecured debt, like adding another unsecured credit card.

    In short, if you’re considering filing for a consumer proposal because you’re at the end of your rope financially and not sure how you’ll continue to manage all of your debt, your credit is probably being harmed anyways. Filing for a consumer proposal could give you the opportunity to rebuild and start fresh.

    At DebtCare, we understand how difficult it can be when you’re considering whether to file for a consumer proposal. We can help you weigh your options, deal with your debt, and, if needed, rebuild credit.

    Call us today for a free consultation: 1 (888) 890-0888.

  • By the Numbers: What is a Bad Credit Score?

    Your credit score is very important. It represents how lenders perceive you as far as risk and impacts how likely you are to obtain various credit products. If you’re concerned about your credit, you may be wondering what a bad credit score is – and so today’s blog should help you better evaluate your own situation.

    A consumer credit score, also known as a FICO score or Beacon score, ranges from 300 to 900. According to TransUnion, a score above 650 will likely qualify you for a standard loan while a score under 650 will typically make receiving new credit difficult. These are the typical ranges:

    • 750+ Excellent
    • 680+ Good
    • 600-680 Fair
    • Below 600 is not good

    One of the quickest ways to get a bad credit score is to default on your current debts. Missing even one payment can be detrimental. Also, if you have defaulted on numerous accounts, you may not actually remember everything you’ve missed (phone bills, utilities, and other products that are not loans and credit cards), meaning they often get lost in the shuffle, further impacting your credit score.

    Building great credit takes work, but breaking down that great credit can be swift and long-lasting. Once credit has been destroyed, you may want to throw your hands up in the air in defeat, but don’t give up –recovering from bad credit is not as painful as you might think.

    If you’re ready to rebuild, there are certain steps that you can take to get the process started. Begin by getting your credit report to better understand what’s listed there and what you owe. Get it from both credit reporting agencies – Equifax and TransUnion.

    The next step, and arguably the most important step, is to deal with past debt. Obviously, if you had the money to pay these past due balances, you would have done so, but ignoring them further just exacerbates the issue. Speak to a financial consultant who specializes in this area to get support concerning options to clear bad debts.

    While dealing with a bad credit score and rebuilding credit, a secured credit card is a great way to build things up.

    Also, remember not to repeat past bad habits. As you rebuild credit, don’t max out new credit, make late payments or go crazy applying for credit everywhere. These are all red flags for lenders and work towards bringing that credit score back down. Try to keep your limits at 50% of your available credit (or less) and make more than the minimum monthly payments.

    At DebtCare, we understand how difficult it can be when you’re sitting with a bad credit score. If you’re struggling to deal with your debt, we can help.

    Call us today for a free consultation: 1 (888) 890-0888.

     

  • Be in the Know: Checking and Understanding Your Credit Score

    Credit ScoreNo matter the state of your finances, understanding your credit score is a very important part of keeping financially fit. This is especially important when you are dealing with debt or attempting to rebuild credit.  Not knowing what certain aspects of your credit score represent can lead to trouble acquiring credit products, or errors not reported can be incredibly difficult to deal with.

    Understanding your credit score. Firstly, what is your credit score? This is the number applied by one of the major credit reporting agencies, derived from a complex calculation of your financial behaviour, most importantly your borrowing behaviour. This includes where you have borrowed from, how much you have borrowed, and your repayment habits. Credit products such as credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, car loans, even personal cell phone contracts are included in this calculation.

    So what does the score mean? When you (or a potential creditor) request your credit score, this is the number that represents those above calculations. Your number will be on a scale from 300 to 900. 300 is the lowest score, and represents credit that is in very poor standing. 900 is the highest score, and represent pristine credit behaviour.

    This is how national credit reporting agency Equifax ranks scores:

    –        300-559 – poor
    –        560-660 – fair
    –        660-724 – good
    –        725-759 – very good
    –        760+ – excellent

    Your credit score will fall into one of these 5 categories, and it is based partially on this number that a creditor will decide whether or not to extend credit to you.

    What impacts your credit score? Anything that you do financially with regard to credit gets reported. This includes any new credit products you obtain, payments made and payments late or missed, any credit inquiries made both by you or a potential creditor, as well as any debt reduction strategies, including claiming bankruptcy or a consumer proposal.

    Once you are better equipped to understand your credit score you might be concerned about what this number means. But don’t worry. If your credit score is less than stellar you should work on changing this – it just might mean seeking out some help. Getting rid of debt and ensuring that your monthly financial obligations are met – on time, every month – is a great place to start. Halting any further credit seeking is also a good idea.

    Your credit score changes all the time, based on how you behave credit-wise, so be sure to keep that in mind. If you need help getting that number back up, or want help getting rid of your debt so that you can focus on increasing your score, consider working with a professional debt solutions company.

    For more information about understanding your credit score and how to get it out of the red please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-888-890-0888.

  • What is R9 Credit and How Can I Get Rid of It?

    What is R9 CreditMany individuals who have an R9 on their credit report will often reference their credit as ‘R9 credit’, as though R9 is the credit rating.

    Credit reports have an over-all rating. This is a number between 300 and 900.

    This rating is calculated based on everything that is listed on your credit report. 300 represents a poor rating and 900 represents the best rating.

    When you request your credit report this “score” is called a FICO score. When a lender requests your credit report they see the same score – this is called the “Beacon score”. A Beacon score and a FICO score are the same thing. R9 credit is not your overall credit score, although it will reduce it.

    What is R9 credit?

    The letter R stands for revolving and the 9 represents a “bad debt write off” so it’s a credit card, line of credit, store card or some other form of revolving credit that has gone into default. If you do not make a payment on a revolving credit product for 6 months your individual rating for that credit product will become an R9.

    An R9 will remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date of last activity (this is the last date that you made a payment on the credit).

    Many people think that somehow the bad rating will magically disappears after 7 years but it is important to note that it is 7 years from the date of last activity and it won’t necessarily go away on its own. This is a very common credit report error that many people end up spending many months to resolve.

    R9 credit can be resolved in one of a few ways:

    1. You can pay the debt in full – it should be removed 7 years from the date the debt has been paid in full.

    2. You can make a settlement on the debt with your creditor(s) the R9 credit should be removed from your credit 7 years from the date it is reported as settled.

    a. Settlements must be documented, including proof of settlement being accepted by your creditor and proof of payment.
    b. Equifax must be independently notified of the settlement.
    c. You must follow up to ensure that the settlement has been reported to your credit report.

    3. If you go to credit counselling, the R9 credit will turn into an R7 credit and the R7 will be removed from your credit report 3 years from the date the credit counselling plan is paid in full.

    4. If you file a consumer proposal the R9 credit will be removed from your credit 6 years from the date it is paid in full make sure when you file a consumer proposal that you independently send proof of the consumer proposal to Equifax.

    5. A bankruptcy  the R9 credit will be removed from your credit 6 years from the date the bankruptcy is discharged make sure when you file a bankruptcy that you independently send proof of the bankruptcy to Equifax.

    6. R9 credit can also be removed 7 years from the date of last activity if that was the last time a payment was made on the credit product. This is in no way a slam dunk often creditors will continue to report activity to the credit report even after there hasn’t been any. Also, if the account is purchased by a collection agency, this can become extremely complex.

    Having this issue on your credit report is not great but it isn’t the end of the world either.

    There are ways to not only work to have the R9 removed but also to correct any other bad credit to help rebuild your credit score. Speaking with a financial consultant skilled in dealing with R9 credit is a smart practice.

    If you have R9 credit and need help please contact DebtCare by calling 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • How to Check Your Credit Score?

    In Canada, a credit Check Your Credit Scorereport and credit score is used by many different institutions, including banks, credit agencies, and even employers. These documents contain important information about your borrowing and repayment habits, and provide a detailed account of your past financial history. Even though these reports are so important, many Canadians are not familiar with the process of requesting and understanding the credit score.

    Understanding your credit score is important for a number of reasons. One of the most important is because, whenever you apply for credit, be it a mortgage, automotive financing, or a credit card, your credit report is pulled by the lending institution and assessed. In order to qualify, you must meet certain qualifications with regard to the report, and so knowing where you stand is crucial.

    What if your credit score is less than stellar? Too much credit, being too close to your limits or too many late or missed payments can severely reduce your credit score.

    In order to bring the score up, it might be prudent to speak with a financial debt consultant to discuss some options to reduce your debt and regain those lost credit points. Debt consolidation or consumer proposals are great options to help you get rid of your debt.

    So, do you know how to check your credit score and credit report? Here is some important information that will help.

    Requesting your credit score is actually quite simple. There are a few different credit reporting agencies in Canada, but the most popular are TransUnion and Equifax. Both of these agencies provide online copies of your credit report and credit score for a fee – simply visit the website, enter in some identity confirming information, and you will be able to print your credit report and credit score.

    Another reason that it is important to understand how to check your credit score and credit report is to make sure that everything it contains is accurate. Credit reporting agencies can make mistakes when compiling the information, and if something is reported incorrectly this can harm your overall credit. It is important to check your report regularly in order to find any mistakes and remedy them. That being said, when a mistake is brought to the attention of a credit reporting agency you may find yourself frustrated by the amount of back and forth that takes place. If you find yourself having a hard time dealing with those credit reporting agencies and their unwillingness to accept responsibility or fix the incorrect data, contact a financial consultant who can help get the issue resolved.

    If you want more information about how to check your credit score and how to understand your credit report, please contact DebtCare Canada by calling 888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • How to Rebuild Your Credit Blog Series – Part 4 Having Too Many Credit Products and Too Much Debt

    This is the fourth blog in a 4 part blog series about how to rebuild your credit. When you accumulate too much debt or have too many credit products, this can harm your credit. Credit card companies are aggressive, using marketing points programs, promotion and incentives to entice consumers to take out a credit card. Over time, it is not difficult to find yourself with several different credit cards with balances that are accumulating interest.

    If you want to know how to rebuild credit and you have several credit cards, your first step will be to close some of them. Some financial advisors will tell you that closing credit cards will actually harm your credit, when in fact in the long run getting rid of credit cards will increase your credit score. Having one or two credit cards is sufficient to have good credit so if you have more than that, closing some of them is a good idea. How you go about closing credit cards is the key.

    Firstly, closing all of your credit cards is not a great idea unless it is part of an overall plan to settle out your debt, and then taking out a single card to rebuild your credit. Simply closing down all of your credit cards without a plan to have a credit item to rebuild credit will reduce your credit score. If you have accumulated a lot of credit card debt and are working with a company to get rid of your debt with a plan to rebuild, then naturally it will involve wiping the slate clean (clearing and closing all credit card debt) and then starting fresh. In the absence of a financial plan to rebuild, closing all of your credit cards may reduce your credit score because you will not have credit reporting to your credit report. This is necessary to build your credit score because it shows new potential creditors, mortgage providers for example, how you pay your monthly obligations.

    Also, do not close out credit cards that have balances. If there are balances on credit cards you should first deal with the balances either by paying them off, settling them, or including them in a financial program to get out of debt. Once the balances are cleared, you can go ahead and close out the card. If you close cards when you have balances the result will be a credit card that has a balance and a zero credit limit and this will have the same negative impact on your credit report as if you have a credit card that is maxed out (see part three “Credit Balances That Are At, Close to or Over” in our four part blog series How to Rebuild your Credit).

    Additionally, if you plan to close out your credit cards make sure you write to the credit card provider clearly indicating that it is you who wants to close out the credit card balance. When a creditor closes your credit card they can report one of two things to the credit bureau: “credit limit closed by consumer” or “credit limit closed by credit grantor” – you do not want the latter reported on your credit report. Sending a letter will enable you to prove to Equifax that you in fact closed the card in the event that the credit does not report who closed the card accurately.

    This may all seem like good advice, but if you are drowning in credit card debt, closing credit cards right now is not really an option without a financial plan. Learning how to rebuild your credit takes time, as does dealing with accumulated credit card debt. There are fast and effective methods to deal with debt and start rebuilding your credit, but in most cases they will involve the assistance of a financial professional who can guide you out of your debt with a plan.

    If you would like more information about how to rebuild your credit or if you are in debt and need some guidance, please call DebtCare at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • How to Rebuild Your Credit Blog Series – Part 3 Credit Balances That Are At, Close to, or Over

    This is the third part in a four part blog series about how to rebuild your credit. Learning how to rebuild your credit begins with learning how to manage it. One major impact to your credit score is when you have credit card products that are close to, at, or over their limits.

    Many people think that the best way to build credit is to get a credit card, use it, and then make monthly payments. This is a dangerous proposition. How you manage each credit card will impact your credit score either by either increasing or decreasing it.

    Learning how to rebuild your credit means understanding how your credit habits can result in a decrease to your credit score. As a rule of thumb you should try to ensure that your credit card balance does not exceed 75% of your limit. If it does, it will not only reduce your credit score but will also trigger a message on your credit report that says “proportion of balances to credit limits are too high”. Even if you have 10 credit cards and only one of them is close to, at, or over the limit, it will negatively impact your credit score and trigger the above mentioned message on your credit report.

    If you have had bad credit in the past and are trying to figure out how to rebuild your credit you may see a secured credit card as one option, and financial professionals will often suggest this as a way to rebuild credit. When you take out a secured credit card, you will send the credit card company a deposit and then they send you a credit card with a limit equal to or less than the deposit you sent them. When you do this, that credit card has the potential to rebuild your credit. Re-loadable credit cards are not secured credit cards and do not rebuild your credit.

    When trying to rebuild your credit, if you take out a secured credit card it is likely that your secured credit card will have a smaller limit, usually $200, $500 or $1000. We discussed the issue of how much of an impact it can have to your credit if you have a balance on even one credit card that is close to, at, or over your credit limit. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when they take out a secured credit card. Capital One is a company that offers secured credit cards and often a first time secured credit card with Capital One will have a low starting limit of a couple hundred dollars. Even if the limit on your secured credit card is only $200, do not carry more than 75% of your limit as a balance. For example, if your secured credit card has a limit of $200, do not run a balance higher than $150.

    In other situations, when people begin nearing or going over their credit limits on credit cards, it is a sign of a deeper financial problem. It is very easy to get in over your head with credit cards. You may have a few credit cards and one month you may use one to make an expensive car repair, and then another month you may use another when you go on vacation, and then another month you may use another one to make repairs in your home. Before you know it you can have several credit cards with high balances and when interest begins to accrue they can become very difficult to pay off. Minimum payments barely cover interest and if you get caught in a cycle of only being able to afford the minimum payments it can take many, many, years to pay them off.

    If you want to know how to rebuild your credit and you have credit card debt and are only making minimum payments right now, it may be time to make some choices that will enable you to rebuild your credit. Sometimes it’s hard to know which choices are the right ones when it comes to dealing with your debt. There are many resources available to people who struggle with debt. Once you have dealt with your debt and are beginning the process of rebuilding credit, your best option when using a new credit card that is meant to rebuild credit is to use the card for limited expenses, such as gas, and only use as much as you can afford to pay off in full in a given month.

    If you would like more information about how to rebuild your credit, or if you are in debt and need some guidance, please call DebtCare at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca.