| It must be emphasized how important it is for | | | | something is amiss and take action as soon as |
| you to take responsibility to safe guard your | | | | possible. |
| credit score and financial reputation. One step in | | | | Below is a brief synopsis showing how a FICO |
| achieving this is to make time to regularly check | | | | score may read and how to understand what |
| your FICO score and credit report. Since an | | | | those numbers represent. Your score can be |
| overall score is dependent on many factors data | | | | affected by many things from whether you pay |
| can be out dated and entered in error. This | | | | your cell phone bill or credit card payment or not. |
| inaccurate and out of date information can easily | | | | Even just a day late can change a score. |
| be corrected or removed but only if you take | | | | - excellent credit - 700 to 850 |
| charge to notify the parties. | | | | - good credit - 680 to 700 |
| It is important to maintain your credit score. | | | | - average credit - 580 to 680 |
| Whether applying for a job or a loan your | | | | - low credit - 450 to 580 |
| information can be accessed by potential | | | | - bad credit - 300 to 450 |
| employers or creditors in determining your | | | | There are numerous reputable companies offering |
| character. You can actually negotiate a lower | | | | free credit reports online. These reports are free |
| interest on a loan if you have a better score so it | | | | although optional services such as credit card |
| is important to check at least once a year to | | | | fraud protection and identity theft protection will |
| guarantee your information is accurate. When you | | | | be offered for a fee. |
| check your credit report regularly you guarantee | | | | It is highly recommended that you take |
| no one has stolen your identity or that incorrect | | | | advantage of free online reports to know your |
| information has not been entered. If you see | | | | FICO score and check it for errors at least once |
| changes to your your score you will know | | | | per year. |