| It's raining...Its thundering. The lightening is casting | | | | What I suggest to my clients is a double sided |
| your shadow against the wall as it flashes in the | | | | attack. As you try to get negative marks |
| night sky. You look under the bed...nothing. You | | | | removed from your file, you also should be taking |
| cut the bathroom light on...nothing. You cut it back | | | | steps to add positive marks to your file. This |
| off. Only one other place left to look, and that's | | | | creates a synergy effect, boosting your score |
| the closet. You begin to walk slowly to the closet. | | | | faster than what could be done by each tactic |
| Oddly, you hear that eerie horror music in your | | | | separately. |
| mind, not remembering leaving the door cracked | | | | Start with the easy accounts. Look for entries |
| like it is. | | | | that are not even yours, these should be very |
| Your heart starts racing. Your brow begins to | | | | easy to remove from your file. Next, look for |
| perspire with beads of sweat. You reach to grab | | | | items that have been paid (or maybe still not |
| the door knob, with a twist and pull it | | | | paid) and they're seven years older or more. The |
| open...nothing! Whew! Your pulse slows to its | | | | seven year period begins 180 days after account |
| normal pace. You laugh to yourself, thinking how | | | | goes into default (post 97 law changes) or last |
| silly you were acting. Its a little chilly, so you grab | | | | date of activity. This can be tricky. |
| your jacket from a hanger. Wait...something is | | | | This is 2006, so anything from 1999 and back |
| wrong. | | | | would be good candidates to attack. But what if |
| You feel the inside pocket and there are several | | | | you made a payment (but not total amount) in |
| envelops. Spreading the envelops over the bed, | | | | 2004, and then stopped paying again. This would |
| chill bumps begin to erupt all over your body. It | | | | make your seven years begin over from 2004 |
| can't be. Its not possible. The mortgage payment. | | | | instead of 1999 |
| The car note. All the utilities. Water, gas, and light | | | | Now, lets start adding positive trade lines to your |
| bills...all there. How?! You know without a doubt | | | | credit file. Don't have a lot of money, then you'll |
| that you put these in the mail weeks ago. A quick | | | | love this strategy. Get several loans from |
| glance at the calender and your chill bumps double | | | | different lending institutions. Depending on the |
| in number. All are now OVER 30 DAYS late! | | | | amount of funds you have access to use for this |
| "Ha...ha...ha!" Then again even louder, "HA...HA...HA!" | | | | strategy, banks may be not be an available |
| As you run to the window, you catch a faint | | | | avenue. Here's the easiest way to handle this |
| glimpse of something fading into the rainy night in | | | | situation. Obtain a passbook savings account loan. |
| the yard. Snow has more color to it than your | | | | Here's where it gets interesting. Most banks won't |
| skin does at this point. The night wind echoes one | | | | do this unless you have $10k or more in your |
| final message. "Your...(your...your) | | | | saving account. Wow! A better solution are credit |
| Score...(score..score) Shall...(shall...shall) FALL...(fall...fall). | | | | unions. This is what I have done before and still |
| This is what most likely happened. | | | | do on occasion. Call your credit union (or one you'll |
| You had that jacket on three or four weeks ago | | | | join) and ask them about their savings account |
| meaning to drop the bills in the mail, but forgot. | | | | secured loans. Most will allow you to make yearly |
| Just like children have their 'my dog ate my | | | | payments, meaning you don't have to make |
| homework' story, we adults have our 'Credit | | | | payments during the course of the loan. If that |
| Boogie Man' urban legends. The 'Credit Boogie' | | | | isn't good enough, you can renew the loan for |
| man didn't damage your credit score, you did. But | | | | another year by simply paying the INTEREST |
| not to worry, there is always time to change | | | | ONLY that's due. |
| your perception on the proper use of credit. | | | | This is what you can do to fund the loan. When |
| First you need to obtain a copy of all three of | | | | you get paid, go by the credit union and place (or |
| your credit scores and reports. MyFico(.com) | | | | open an account) your cashed check money into |
| handles scores and reports for Eqifax. | | | | the account. Then turn right around fill out the |
| CreditExpert(.com) handles reports and scores for | | | | loan paperwork and have your funds back in you |
| Experian. TransUnion uses TrueCredit(.com) as | | | | hands. Now, just rinse and repeat these steps |
| their site to get your report and score. And yes, | | | | with several credit unions. My credit report shows |
| I'm aware that you can get a copy of each of | | | | these accounts as 'paid as agreed'. What else |
| your reports from each bureau free from | | | | could it show. I don't make any payments, |
| AnnualCreditReport(.com), but most people don't | | | | therefore there's no way to be 30 (or more) |
| know that your score is not free. You will still | | | | days late. |
| have to go through one of the sites I listed | | | | You must prepare yourself. Who knows? Maybe |
| above to get your scores (did you really think it | | | | next time the 'Credit Boogie Man' won't be able to |
| would be that easy). | | | | cause so much drama in your life. |