credit card

Debunking Common Myths About Credit Report Errors

Have you ever checked your credit report only to find something suspicious listed on it? It can be a daunting and worrisome experience, as credit reports significantly influence our lives. To help ease the stress of this situation, let’s look at common debt report errors that are easy to spot and debunk. Don’t worry – these myths won’t fool you if you know what to look out for. Additionally, you can check out the best credit repair companies to help eliminate questionable negative items on your report and improve your rating.

Credit Reports Are Impossible to Fix

credit card repairThis is not true. Credit reports can be fixed and errors removed with the help of credit bureaus, fraud investigation departments, and other financial organizations. If you find an error in your report, don’t hesitate to dispute it by writing a letter or filling out a form online. The most important thing is to provide detailed documentation to prove the inaccuracy of the information listed on your credit report.

Paying Off a Debt Will Improve My Credit Score

Paying off a debt does not automatically improve your credit score. Credit scoring models look at more than whether you paid or didn’t pay what you owe. If, for example, you had a delinquent debt removed from your credit report after paying it off, it would be reflected in your credit score.

It’s Not Worth Checking My Credit Report Regularly

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Checking your credit report regularly is one of the best ways to ensure that any inaccuracies are caught and dealt with promptly. In addition, it also allows you to stay on top of any new changes or activities that could affect your credit score. Remember that mistakes can happen, and fraudsters can take advantage of them, so it’s best to stay vigilant.

Having Too Many Open Credit Cards Can Hurt My Score

credit cardsHaving too much available credit is not the same as having too many open credit cards. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is essential – the former refers to how much of your total available credit you use. In contrast, the latter refers to the number of open credit cards you have.

While having too much available credit can lead to a lower score, having multiple open credit cards is not necessarily harmful and may even positively impact your score.

In conclusion, many myths about credit report errors have been debunked. Remember to stay vigilant and check your report regularly for any inaccuracies, and if you find any, don’t hesitate to contact the relevant parties and dispute them.…

scam alert

Red Flags of Credit Repair Scams

If you’re like most people, you want to do everything possible to improve your credit score. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there that promise to help you repair your credit but do more harm than good. And, of course, if you’re not careful, you could easily be scammed out of your hard-earned money in your hard time. On the other hand, the best credit repair will help you out as best as they can. So how can you spot the scam? Lucky for you, here we’ll show you the telltale signs of a credit repair scam so that you can avoid them and protect yourself.

Pressuring to Pay Up-Front Fees

One of the biggest red flags when it comes to credit repair scams is whether or not the company asks for payment upfront. According to the Federal Trade Commission, under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies are prohibited from requiring payment before they provide any services. So if a company is pressuring you to pay upfront, that’s a significant sign that they’re not legitimate.

Promising to Improve the Scores Drastically in a Short Time

fast processWhat’s more, if a credit repair company is promising to improve your credit score in a short time dramatically, that’s another huge red flag. According to the FTC, it typically takes months or years of responsible credit management to see a significant improvement in your score.

Moreover, there’s no guarantee that your score will ever improve at all. So if a company is making grandiose promises, that’s a sign that they might not be legitimate. If you encounter such a case, it is best to turn your back immediately and find other options that are more trustworthy.

Promising to Remove Negative Information From Your Credit Report

Another sign that a credit repair company may be a scam is if they guarantee that they can remove negative items from your credit report, regardless of whether or not those items are accurate. No one can make that promise because only time, a good payment history, and responsible credit management will improve your credit score. And even then, some items may stay on your credit report for up to seven years. So if a company is promising to do the impossible, that’s a sure sign that they’re not legitimate.

Refusing to Explain Your Rights

got scammedAs a consumer, you have certain rights when it comes to your credit report and credit score. And a legitimate credit repair company will take the time to explain those rights to you. However, if a company is refusing to do so, that’s a sign that it might not be on the up and up. It’s because they don’t want you to know that you have the right to dispute any errors on your credit report, for example.

So those are just a few of the telltale signs of a credit repair scam. If you’re ever in doubt, always err on the side of caution and contact the Better Business Bureau or your state attorney general’s office to make sure that the company is legitimate. Remember, you should never have to pay for something that you can do yourself for free. So if a company is promising to repair your credit for a fee, beware.…

stock trading

Role of Brokers in Investment

The role of stockbrokers has significantly evolved over the past few years. Today brokers are not just there for selling and buying stocks on behalf of their customers. They play a more significant role in assisting investors to wade through the whole process of investment by providing research-based advice on the stocks. This helps the clients to invest in alternative assets and subscribe to IPOs and mutual funds schemes. Here are some of the vital roles of stockbrokers in client’s investment journey.

Research and Advice

stock brokersMost brokerage houses have set up in-house research teams which scan companies and stocks and also analyze the macro-economic scenario which impacts stock markets. With the input from the research team, the brokerage firms put sell or buy recommendation on stocks.

Brokers also have technical analysts who provide market trends and intra-day trading tips. They send out news and alerts continuously. They also conduct investor education programs which help in improving your knowledge about investing in the markets.

Selling and Buying Stocks

This is the main function of brokers. They act as an intermediary for clients to transact on a stock exchange. They sell and buy stocks for people who have signed up with them as clients. With the onset of online facilities, investors can execute trades directly on trading platforms offered by brokerage houses. Your broker then forwards the information related to your trade and makes transfer arrangement for stocks purchased.

Personalized Services

Most brokers assign a relationship manager to interact with clients who act as an advisor. Relationship managers advise clients on when to make transactions and guide them about what to look for in market dealings. They can advise you on putting stop-loss, especially when making intra-day trades. They monitor your portfolio and provide timely advice on them.

Margin Financing

stock investment

Stockbrokers are also well capitalized nowadays. It implies that they have a strong balance sheet with high equity and debt on books. Stock exchanges monitor the extent to which brokers lend in line with their net worth. Most large brokerage houses thus provide financing facilities to clients looking to take leverage positions. This means borrowing for trading. The NBFC arm of brokerage house is usually concerned with funding. They allow clients to take positions in the market after paying the margin amount.

Investment in Other Asset Class

Besides investing in stocks, brokers help you to invest in other asset classes such as gold ETFs, commodities and mutual fund products. They also assist you in investment in IPO of companies.

Brokers are nowadays a one-stop investment solution providers, assisting clients to achieve their financial goals successfully. In case you are new to stock trading, many stock brokers offer these services. Just get in touch with them and start trading.…