How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report

Published on: 22 January 2020 Last Updated on: 24 May 2024

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers as far as your finances go. It dictates the rates you get when borrowing a personal loan or line of credit. But it doesn’t stop there; it may have sway over your next job, apartment, or auto insurance policy.

When it has so much power over your life, finding an error on your credit report is scary. Something outside your control could impact your score and stand in the way of getting a loan or a new job.

With this in mind, it’s prudent you act fast as soon as you spot something wrong.

Here’s what to do if you find an error on your credit report:

Start a Dispute

Each of the three major credit reporting agencies makes it easy to file a dispute. You can go online to start, or you may send a letter in the mail. In either case, you must tell them (in writing) what information is inaccurate.

Equifax: Submit a dispute online

Experian: Disputes online

TransUnion: Start a new dispute

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) you have a right to contest any entry in your report. This means a major credit reporting agency must accept and investigate any complaints filed over inaccurate information.

What Do You Need to Send?

Before submitting your online dispute or letter, you need to make sure you can prove that inaccurate information doesn’t belong to your file.

Check-in with this list to make sure you have everything you need.

Personal Information:

You’ll need to share identifying information like your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN) to create an inquiry.

Disputed Information:

You’ll need to explain clearly what items are inaccurate. The Federal Trade Commission recommends enclosing a copy of your report with the wrongful items highlighted.

Proof:

Perhaps the most important part of your dispute is proof. It can make or break your investigation. Make sure you send anything that supports your case. This may include emails from financial institutions acknowledging payments or a personal loan or line of credit report statement. Just make sure you send copies only, so you can keep the originals for your files.

Send a Copy of Your Dispute to Your Furnisher

A furnisher is a company that supplied your reporting agency with the faulty information. One example is your personal loan or line of credit report financial institution. Or it could be a utility provider or cell phone carrier.

Be Patient

It may take a reporting agency between 30 and 45 days to complete their investigation. After this, they’ll let you know their verdict within another five days.

If they don’t agree with you, they’ll explain why. If it’s because your dispute is frivolous, it means you didn’t send enough proof to show the items are inaccurate.

If they agree that the items are inaccurate, they’ll reach out to the financial institution that furnished them with the information in the first place. This may take another month or so before you see changes in your report.

All in all, it can take a while before your report goes back to normal. With this in mind, it’s key to send your dispute off as quickly as possible. Follow these tips above and visit IdentityTheft.gov. These resources will help you handle your error to the best of your ability.

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How Digital Advisors have Transformed the Investment Sector

Technology has undoubtedly made a huge impact on our everyday lives. There are new innovations that are unveiled practically every minute and it can be hard to keep up. The rise of the internet has replaced traditional newspapers and other print media as sources of information. Millions of people now rely on online news sources such as Yahoo and Twitter on getting their news. The transportation sector has also transformed from using the yellow cabs to Uber and Taxify. Purchasing of goods and services is now through electronic payments via credit and debit cards. The financial industry has also been affected by this transformation. The rise of digital advisors has resulted in cheaper and more efficient ways of offering financial advice to investors. These offer automated financial planning with different levels of human engagement. An investor will surely appreciate such engagement. The Difference Between Robo Advisor and Digital Advisors: A robo advisor uses algorithms and model portfolios relying on certain information that has been obtained from the client. While others may find robo advisors attractive due to their low cost, there is minimal human interaction. There is more focus on investment allocation but minimal focus on financial planning. Making life’s big decisions such as buying your next house or paying for college requires a lot of careful planning. In this instance, there is no one to hold your hand as you contemplate about making these changes in our life. A digital advisor is a combination of a traditional financial planner and a robot advisor. This affords an investor the ease and convenience of accessing a personal human advisor. These can be reached via phone or chat. The advice offered by digital advisors goes beyond investment options. Since users have real-time access to an actual financial planner, they can talk to someone about their specific needs and work together to come up with a plan that is based on their current situation. Which One is Right? There are Robo advisors who are fully automated and have low fees. These provide investment planning to investors. On the other hand, digital advisors offer a combination of this automation and a touch of the human element. Financial advice is also provided. It is important for you to know how these function so that you know which one to choose if you are considering these options. Here are some options to choose from who are considered the well-known players in this space: Wealthfront: this automated service has over $1 billion in client assets and thus considered the world’s largest investment service. There is very little human interaction. The first $10,000 in assets management do not attract an advisory fee. Amounts that are higher than this attracts a monthly advisory fee at the rate of 0.25%. The minimum investment amount is $5,000. Betterment: there is also very little human interaction on this service. Just like the previous platform, the process if Betterment begins by clients being asked a series of questions and then an investment plan is recommended. A monthly portfolio fee of 0.35% and this amount decreases the more the balance grows. There is no minimum investment. Learnvest: although this platform does not manage investments, clients can contact a Certified Financial planner whom they can contact by phone or email and ask questions. A %19 monthly fee is charged. Personal capital & Wela: these two digital advisors have very similar offerings. For instance, both offer free financial advice to their users. You can receive advice pertaining to all things finance and be assisted to set up a unique game plan based on your specific situation. Users are also free to use all the financial planning tools available at the site at no extra cost. A management fee of less than 1% is charged to users who are connected to a personalized wealth management advisor. A similar program at Wela ensures that a user is charged only when he decides to become a client. If you have your doubts about putting your money with a fully automated system, why not go for a digital advisor that provides you with unlimited access to a financial planner while at the same time providing online convenience so that you are assured if a partner to guide you in making big decisions in life. How They Work: You do not have to rely on a human to discuss your financial goals and expectations. These interactions go on through a website. You will fill out a questionnaire that helps these sites to assess your current financial situation, risk tolerance and goals. The firms will use this information to develop manage and also suggest an asset allocation. Other firms will operate by investing your money in mutual funds and exchange funds. These are passively managed funds. Other firms will be willing to invest in individual stocks although this does not happen so often. Once your portfolio has been constructed the digital advisor will rebalance it on different situations so that you can maintain your target asset allocation. There are some cases where you will not need to fully rely on a digital platform to offer advice. Some elements of the advisor model are mixed with a human advisor. Therefore instead of relying on your response to the given questionnaire, you will be interviewed over the phone or video. You can also access a human advisor via video conferencing. These websites rely on their own algorithms to determine what would be a good fit for you as asset allocation. Depending on the firm, some will be more or less aggressive in their suggestions. Investors have found these websites to be truly valuable in a fast-paced world where many lack the time or interest to manage their own savings or investments. Advanced technology makes it possible for investors to be comfortable in a web-based relationship which assists them to allocate their asset and online portfolios. It has truly changed the way business is done. Read Also: 5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals For A Secure Future How To Become Financially Stable Before Age 30

7 Wise Financial Choices That Will Help You Follow Your Budget

Spending is an obvious thing in life. Inasmuch as someone is alive, he or she cannot just avoid spending money. To keep living, we need money. We cannot access some basic necessities such as food without money. Spending money is a basic fact in life. But the manner in which you spend can determine the quality of life you live now and in the future. Proper spending behaviors will protect you from incurring too many costs on an item. In fact, good financial habits will help you not overspend and use your finances in an appropriate manner instead. It is very important to take time and examine your spending habits. Make the necessary changes and see yourself succeeding financially. The key to financial health is to always stop and think. Before you make a purchase, it is important to ask yourself if the purchase is really necessary. But the most significant thing you can do is to budget. Through budgeting, you can save a lot of money and help you have extra cash to spend. Put differently, your budgeting style along with healthy financial decisions will determine how successful you will be. You need to decide how much money you will regularly spend on some items and stick to that decision. In this blog, we are going to address two things; the wise financial choices that will help you stick to your budget and the best way to outrank bad spending habits with good ones. A good housekeeper will always know when the home is organized and when it is not. This should always be followed by a remedial course of action. The same thing happens with your budget. You know when it is not effective and then you take steps to redesign it. When it comes to budgeting, you control everything. One way of appreciating your hard work and efforts is to remain true to your budget and even seek help where necessary. The following tips will help you follow your budget always: Make it realistic and practical. Let us take an example of what you set aside for entertainment monthly. If your budget is $80 every month but you spend a total of $240, something is wrong somewhere. The best thing to do is to get to the middle. Increase the allocation to probably $160 and lower your spending down to that level. The more real your budget is, the more you are likely to go by it. So make your budget real and be true to it. Plan how you spend on meals: Do you go for grocery unplanned, not knowing how much you are going to spend at the store? That is like taking a financial poison and you might get overwhelmed with time. The point is, you should plan for your meals, breakfast, dinner, and lunch. You do not have to pick whatever appears to be good in the stores. Just visit the stores with a list of the things you are going to pick along with how much you are going to spend on them. Pick all you need and leave the store right away. Stop using credit cards: Recent studies show that about 83% of Americans prefer credit card payments to cash. This is because credit card postpones the pain that comes with payments until later in the month. This is a temptation that can make you spend too much money that what is worth for an item. Avoid this problem by sticking to your debit card or cash. Do not allow the challenge that comes with delayed payment to force you into incurring more costs on items than their worth. People even seek loan online as it’s convenient moreover for you to be sure that your lender is legit, they need to explain the loan terms clearly like A1 Credit a trusted financial institution. Learn to wait: If you out for window shopping with no desire to make a purchase, then you come across a very nice t-shirt but nothing is left on the money left set aside for clothing, just walk away. Breathe in and convince yourself that you will actually buy it but only next month. By that time, you have accumulated enough cash to make that purchase. Consider social events: You perhaps like celebrating events with friends. This could be on events such as weddings and anniversaries. But the problem is that you fail to include the associated costs in your budget. Draft a social calendar and always consult it. Note your necessities: Your basic necessities may include food, housing, and medication. If you commute to work, transport cost may also be included in your basic wants. Do not spend too much on luxuries. But note that a basic a luxury to you may be a basic want to someone else. Just define your basic necessities and prioritize them. Restrict to your budget: Prioritize your needs and how you spend on them. Set goals on your money. Try to restrict yourself to the provisions of your budget. Do not live beyond your means. Accept to live within your abilities. It can be quite challenging to stick to your budget. However, it is possible if you fully determined to do that. The seven tips discussed will help you in this regard. What about your financial habits? Well, let us briefly see how you can break them. It can equally be challenging but you can be successful if you use the following tips. Cut spending on clothing. You don’t have to visit a store on a weekly basis. If it is necessary that you spend, but let it be at a thrift store and you will save money Eat at home. Incontrovertibly, eating out is expensive. Learn to cook your meals at home. Besides, if you have a family, it is only good to share meals as a family. Reduce entertainment costs. Consider free entertainment alternatives around. Avoid credit cards. They postpone the pain that comes with making payments at a cost. Learn to use cash or your debit card instead. Repay debts in time to avoid extra charges. At whatever cost, do not use funds from your retirement account. Conclusion: Making a budget and sticking to it are two different things. But if you follow the tips discussed in the first section of this blog, you will be successful. Nevertheless, sticking to your budget can be senseless if you have the same bad spending habits. We have discussed six tips that will help you outrank bad spending behaviors. We wish you the best as you shape your financial life. Read Also: Debt Consolidation Plans For Your Debt Relief Ways That You Are Wasting Money On Marketing How To Become Financially Stable Before Age 30 How Financial Trading Can Give You The Life You Want How Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Banking And Financial Institutions? The Importance Of Saving: The Bedrock Of A Bright Financial Future

What You Need to Know Before Buying Property with a Tax Lien

You find the house of your dreams but are told by the realtor that the home comes with a property tax lien. Do you give up on that house and find one that doesn’t have a lien? Even though friends and family might suggest you move on, it's better to have a deeper understanding of property tax liens before making a decision. What Is a Property Tax Lien? When homeowners have a financial setback, they often have problems making their mortgage payments. In many cases, they are also unable to pay their property taxes. When a homeowner doesn’t pay property taxes, their property becomes tax delinquent. A property tax lien prevents this property from being sold or refinanced. Depending upon the state they live in, after a certain period of time, the municipality can repossess, seize, and foreclose on the property. When this happens, the town or county that is owed the taxes issues a property-tax lien certificate against the property. The lien includes the owed taxes, penalties, and interest. Once there is a foreclosure, this certificate is then made available for sale, usually in an auction. There are two types of sales based on unpaid property taxes. Tax Deed Sale: A tax deed is a legal document that transfers property ownership from the homeowner who didn't pay the taxes and the municipal governmental entity owed the taxes. In turn, the government then has the authority to sell the property, collect the owed taxes, and transfer ownership to the purchaser. In this case, the property is sold at auction and includes unpaid taxes. Buying a foreclosed property gives you complete ownership of the property. The price may start low but is often driven up by competing bidders. Once the property is purchased by the highest bidder, it is owned clear and free of all mortgages and liens against it. Tax Lien Sale: In this type of sale, the lien is auctioned off to the highest bidder. It includes the interest incurred. If the liens are not paid, the new owner can foreclose on the property. Many states will utilize a tax lien sale in an attempt to get their unpaid taxes from the homeowner. They usually come with high penalty fees. The process and time period associated with tax lien sales depends upon the state where the property is located. Homeowners whose property is sold in a tax lien sale are given a period of time— a redemption period—to pay their taxes plus interest to the holder of the lien. The owner of the lien may not end up owning the property should the homeowner pay back the taxes plus interest. However, there is an opportunity to make money from the accrued interest. Interest rates vary by state, for example: In Florida, the maximum interest rate is 18 percent with a guaranteed minimum of 5 percent on liens redeemed early. The Mississippi tax lien rate is 18 percent—1.5 percent per month—and must be repaid in two years. Iowa’s interest rate is on the lower side, at 2 percent. The interest rates and sales process are structured by local jurisdictions and are also dependent upon the auction. Be sure to check with the municipality before making decisions. Because of low interest rates and the volatile stock market, many people are looking for other ways to get a return on their investment. With more than$14 billion in unpaid property taxes, purchasing properties with liens, for some, is a viable investment opportunity. It is important to understand what you are buying before you make an offer. When you purchase a tax lien certificate, you are not attaining ownership of a piece of property. You are purchasing the lien on the property. The delinquent homeowner still owns the property. When you buy a tax deed, you take ownership of the property in its entirety. Read Also: Property Investment Success Stories 6 Tips On How To Pay Off Your Tax Debt Investing In Property Is Investing In Your Future A Quick Guide To The Legal Steps Of Buying A House Why Off-Plan Investment Is Beneficial For Expats 5 Easy Estate Planning Tips To Help You Plan For The Future

How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report

Here’s what to do if you find an error on your credit report:

Start a Dispute

What Do You Need to Send?

Personal Information:

Disputed Information:

Proof:

Send a Copy of Your Dispute to Your Furnisher

Be Patient

What should you know about an MBA in global finance?

Insurance- Need of the time

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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How Digital Advisors have Transformed the Investment Sector

7 Wise Financial Choices That Will Help You Follow Your Budget

What You Need to Know Before Buying Property with a Tax Lien

How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report

Here’s what to do if you find an error on your credit report:

Start a Dispute

What Do You Need to Send?

Personal Information:

Disputed Information:

Proof:

Send a Copy of Your Dispute to Your Furnisher

Be Patient

Share this Article

What should you know about an MBA in global finance?

Insurance- Need of the time

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

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