The evaluation is superb says John Ashton of Coast Capital, The package is tailored to each persons individual needs providing broken down & easy to understand terms about credit along with a counselors suggestion of what to do. It is the only effective legal remedy I have yet to see, Says John. The evaluation also includes myth busters of what can and can’t be done and some laws consumers need to be aware of to make changes. Consumers who want the credit assessment only need to fax or mail current copies of their credit reports to Carreon & Associates and sign an authorization.

The counselors will then start the process of an in depth credit analysis. Some people do not like what we have to say after we evaluate their credit because we tell them the truth. They’re use to hearing easy erase promises and some are not prepared for the truth of what should be done to improve and rebuild. Later they realize it was the most effective approach.

We hope to save people thousands by getting to them first before they pay for a credit repair scam says Kristi. I just cringe when I hear someone has paid 3000.00 to erase their true negative credit and the now their money is gone and so is the person. If people can just browse our site, they will get an answer to almost any situation about how to improve their credit and educate themselves in the process.

Consumers have to protect themselves and realize what to expect and what they are paying for when they hire a credit repair company. There are many places that offer effective solutions to credit problems but usually they don’t operate as credit repair clinic solely.

A law firm or Negotiation firm who also specializes in credit may be best. These companies offer alternative solutions to your credit problems and operate differently then someone who may charge you a fortune just to send letters. Most of them negotiate your debts and do settlements in exchange for a bettered rating.

If you are a true victim of credit reporting or fraud then intervention may be necessary. Some consumers do have real credit problems that are inaccurate or false and may need professional help if they are being ignored. There are places to turn for help such as your Attorney General & FTC, says Steve Carreon.

So, will you fall prey to this taunting tag line of “Fast, Easy Repair”?, maybe, and then you’ll join the ranks of all the others who are filing complaints with the FTC to get your money back. Remember, you get what you pay for.

They convince consumers that they have some Special Method for clearing up bad credit. Something that is so magical, that only they have to access to. Consumers are getting burned every day. The numbers are in the thousands. If your going to guarantee to “Fix someone’s Credit” then you better be prepared for the consequences says CEO & President, Steve Carreon of Carreon & Associates, a broker firm who pushes self help with educating consumers and uses legal alternatives on their site to refer consumers to. Consumers have to be aware that there is no magic formula. If you have true inaccuracies you can use the laws to correct them especially if you have tried before and received no replies from the credit bureaus. You do not need to pay anyone to do that. If your derogatory credit is verified as accurate then you should use legal methods such as debt negotiation and settlements with the creditor to minimize the impact on your credit says Steve.

Consumers are desperate for quick fixes so they can feel “Normal” again without the dark cloud of bad credit hanging over their head. The consumer may think that there must be something they don’t know, and the tag line of “Guaranteed Removal” is just too tempting says Steve Carreon. People have got to educate themselves and realize there is NO Magic Formula. Education and reality are key! Credit repair does not mean illegal methods. It should mean doing all you legally can to improve you credit legally. Negotiating your debts, correcting errors and knowing your rights are a must if you want to improve your credit.

Today in a news bulletin by the Associated Press, 12 companies have been targeted by the FTC. Some have had their assets frozen and others are under investigation. When will people learn? We don’t know exactly what it will take to make people realize that if something seems too good or too easy, then it is. Carreon & Associates, a broker who has referral services to information and education, approaches the field from a different point. We advice consumers that the laws and education are there for everyone.

They are paying someone else to do the same work they could probably do themselves with a little education, Says J.Kristi Feathers, Credit Manager of Carreon & Associates. People are convinced that there must be some method to erase negative credit. We educate the consumers and provide credit tools so they can correct erroneous, outdated or false information on their own.

If the information is accurate and NEGATIVE, then consumers have to realize the obvious choice, negotiate with the source as best as you can to make the rating better, says Kristi. By negotiating with the creditor or the source reporting the bad entry, you are taking positive steps to resolve it once and for all. This is the best approach. Debt Negotiations is an ethical way to repair your credit.

While debt negotiations may not always fix your credit, it will pay the debts off at a substantial savings and possibly take a charge off to a paid in settlement account.

Very few people realize that most creditors are willing to take half or less on a debt just to be able to call it even and avoid being included in a bankruptcy filing. Debt Settlement is the art of negotiating with creditors. The fear of suffering a total loss to a distressed debtor usually end in cutting the debt in half.

This is a permanent improvement when your dealing with charge offs and collection accounts. Lets face it, if the creditor will not agree to delete the listing entirely then doesnt “Paid in settlement” look better on your credit reports then a charge off or paid charge off?

Of course it does and you may need to do it to qualify for a home loan. Lenders will not give you a loan while you have outstanding collection accounts or charge offs.

Our negotiators can settle most uncollateralized debts for sixty cents on the dollar or less, including our fee. We can settle credit and department store cards, medical bills, charged-off accounts, collection accounts, judgments and most other debts where there is no collateral.

As part of your retainer agreement, you will complete a questionnaire that tells us which credit items are accurate, verifiable and should not be challenged. All other credit listings showing up on the credit report are assumed to be inaccurate or unverifiable and will be subjected to a dispute.

Once we’ve received your credit reports, we will construct letters of dispute in your name. These letters are designed to communicate your dispute in such a way that the credit bureaus will accept the dispute and conduct an investigation.

While this may sound easy, any person who has attempted to dispute their own credit will tell you otherwise. According to federal law, the credit bureaus can ignore your dispute under a variety of conditions. In our experience, a large part of dispute letters sent directly from consumers are rejected under one pretext or another.

At the conclusion of the credit bureau’s investigation, a new copy of the credit report is sent to your home along with any deletions or improvements. You then copy and send us the new credit report and the cycle repeats itself at timed intervals.

A disputed credit listing must be accurate and verifiable for it to remain on the credit report. If the credit listings is only somewhat inaccurate, the credit bureau may simply change the item to reflect the accurate status. Very often, though, disputed credit items cannot be verified: the creditor either no longer possesses the information or does not wish to go to the trouble of verifying it. Also, the reinvestigation must be completed within 30 days or the listing must be removed. For these reasons, properly disputed credit listings are removed with remarkable frequency.

Each time an investigation is commenced, the odds of receiving a particular deletion are fairly good. Our experience shows that about 30% of disputed negative items are deleted each time the report is challenged . So, you can see how challenging the credit report four or five times during the year could achieve impressive and meaningful improvements.

• National Foundation for Credit Counseling

• Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies

The following national, accredited credit counseling agencies can also provide you with counseling services:

• Money Management International

• Novadebt

• Take Charge America

You might consider contacting a credit counselor if:

• You are having difficulty paying multiple forms of debt, such as credit cards, home mortgages, or auto loans
• You have already spoken with your credit card issuer without an effective resolution to your problems
• You can’t pay the minimum amounts due on your credit cards or other bills
• You’re consistently late paying one or more of your regular bills

If you decide to seek credit counseling, it is advisable to seek an accredited non-profit credit counseling agency, rather than a for-profit debt relief company.

By doing so, you can be confident that the agency employs the best business practices possible to ensure your funds are safe and the agency’s mission is focused on you — the consumer.

Accredited agencies must adhere to the following policies:

• Be recognized as non-profit by the IRS
• Have all the proper licenses
• Audit their operating and trust accounts
• Provide reviews of their consumers’ income and debts, along with written plans for reducing and eliminating that debt
• Disperse the proper payments to creditors at the proper times, usually twice a month
• Provide their clients with written statements at certain intervals
• Offer various educational programs and other ways to help consumers overcome their debt

Any company that makes these statements may be unreliable:

• We can remove your debt
• Pay us and we’ll pay your bills
• Pay us a percentage of the bills we get rid of
• No company sues over unpaid bills
• We can get bad credit taken off your credit history
• Use our system and you’ll avoid bankruptcy
• Don’t talk to your creditors anymore

Questions to ask before selecting an accredited credit counselor:

• Is this agency a non-profit organization?
• Will I be informed of any fees associated with the services being offered?
• Are agency services confidential?
• Will they devise a plan tailored to fit my needs?
• Are the counselors certified?
• Are budget and credit education opportunities offered?
• Will my funds be protected?
• Is the agency accredited?

There’s much more to choosing a credit card than learning which ones offer free giveaways for signing up. Shopping around for a credit card can save you money on interest and fees, which can vary among credit card issuers. Most issuers offer several kinds of cards, including:

• Secured cards, which require a security deposit. The larger the security deposit, the higher the credit limit. Secured cards are usually offered to people who have limited credit histories. Those include people who are just starting out or who have had trouble with credit in the past.
• Standard cards, which do not require a security deposit and have just a few features. Most standard cards have higher credit limits than secured cards but lower credit limits than premium cards.
• Premium cards (gold, platinum, titanium), which offer higher credit limits and usually have extra features, including product warranties, travel insurance or emergency services.

You’ll want to find one with features that match your needs. Read more information online about the different credit cards options and online banking possibilities. Before choosing a credit card, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you expect to pay your account in full each month? If so, the annual fee and other charges may be more important than the annual percentage rate (APR).
• Will you be using the cash advance feature? In this case, the APR and fees applicable to cash advances may be more important.
• Is the credit limit high enough?
• Is the card accepted at the majority of the places you plan to use it?
• What are the plan’s services and features?

Features and Benefits of Some Credit Cards

Credit Cards offer a wide range of features and benefits. It is important to read and understand all of the criteria associated with the features of your card. Below is a list of some of the most common:

• Rebates (money back) on the purchases you make
• Rewards programs that can be redeemed for airline tickets, gift cards or other purchases
• Warranty coverage for the items you purchase
• Car rental insurance
• Travel accident insurance or travel-related discounts

Before you sign up to pay for any of these features, think carefully about whether it will be useful for you — don’t pay for something you don’t need. Shopping around for a credit card can save you money on interest and fees.

Cash Advances

Some credit cards let you borrow cash in addition to making purchases on credit. Most credit card companies treat cash advances and your purchases differently. If you plan to use your card for cash advances, look for information about:

• Access. Most credit cards let you use an ATM to get a cash advance. Or the credit card issuer may send you checks that you can write to get the cash advance.
• APR. The APR for cash advances may be higher than the APR for purchases.
• Fees. The credit card company may charge a fee in addition to the interest you will pay on the amount advanced.
• Limits. Some credit cards limit cash advances to a dollar amount (for example, $200 per cash advance or $500 per week) or a portion of your credit limit (for example, 75 percent of your available credit limit).
• How payments are credited. Many credit card issuers apply your payments to balances with lower APRs before balances with higher APRs. If cash advances have a higher APR than purchases, your payments may be applied to your purchases before your cash advances. Read your credit card agreement to learn how your payments will be credited.

Insurance Options

Many cards offer insurance to cover the payments on your credit card balance if you become unemployed, disabled or in the case of death.

• Premiums are usually due monthly, making it easy to cancel if the payments are higher than you want to pay or you decide you don’t need the insurance any longer.
• Most issuers don’t hold customers responsible for fraudulent charges.
• Insurance programs vary per card so make sure to read and understand the coverage options that are associated with your card.

Fraud Protection

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit card fraud.

Do:

• Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
• Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder or another small pouch.
• Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
• Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
• Void incorrect receipts.
• Destroy carbons.
• Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
• Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
• Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
• Notify card issuers in advance of a change in address.

Don’t:

• Lend your card(s) to anyone.
• Leave cards or receipts lying around.
• Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
• Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
• Give out your account number over the phone unless you’re making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.

Reporting Losses and Fraud:

If you lose your credit cards or if you realize they’ve been lost or stolen, immediately call the issuers. Many issuers have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. By law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.

If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under oath that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.

You can use a credit card to buy things and pay for them over time. But remember, buying with credit is a loan — you have to pay the money back. In addition to the cost of what you bought, you will owe a percentage of what you spent (interest) and sometimes an annual fee.

You may need credit for immediate reasons, such as:

• Renting an apartment or car
• Getting phone service and utilities service
• Financing a car or home
• Paying for school expenses
• Spreading out payments on high-dollar items
• Travel or hotel reservations

By establishing a good credit history, you’ll have access to credit later on for things like the following:

• Buying a home
• Applying for a job
• Qualifying for loans for purchases including cars, furniture and wedding expenses
• Making urgent repairs to your car or home
• Getting emergency medical care for you or a family member
• Internet purchases

Know What Creditors Look for on Credit Reports:

Understanding what types of information most creditors evaluate is important. Your credit report is a key part of your credit score, but it is not the only factor. Other factors are taken into consideration, such as:

• Paying your bills on time
• How many accounts you have and what kind
• Longevity of accounts
• The unused portions of lines of credit
• Collections actions
• Current total of outstanding debt

Terms You Need to Know:

Annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly interest rate. Usually, the lower the APR, the better for you. Remember that the interest rate and minimum monthly payment affect how long it will take to pay off your debt and how much you will pay for your purchase over time.

Grace period. This is the time between the date of the credit card purchase and the date the company starts charging you interest.

Annual fees. Many credit card issuers charge an annual fee for giving you credit, typically ranging from $15 to $55.

Transaction fees and other charges. Most credit card issuers charge a fee if you don’t make a payment on time. Other common credit card fees include those for cash advances and going beyond the credit limit.

$0 Fraud Liability. You are not responsible for unauthorized charges made on your account, regardless of whether they are online or offline. There is no deductible for this program.

Other options. Credit card issuers may offer other options for a price, including discounts, rebates and special merchandise offers. If your credit card is lost or stolen, federal law protects you from owing more than $50 per card.

Paying Your Bill:

If you carry a balance on your credit card, the lower the annual percentage rate (APR) of your card, the less you will pay in interest or finance charges during a given year. In short, if you never pay your bill in full and the features and benefits of all your cards are the same, the one with the lowest interest rate will save you the most money over time.

If you always carry a balance, making your monthly payment early in the billing cycle (even before the stated due date on the billing statement) will also save you money.

Why?

Because most credit card issuers use the average daily balance method to figure monthly interest or finance charges. If you make your monthly payment early in the billing cycle, you reduce the daily balance for more days in that cycle. This also reduces the total balance used to figure the average daily balance for that month.

If you only use your credit cards for purchases and you pay your monthly bills in full each month by the due date, you will avoid all interest charges.

Protecting Your Credit:

Once you have obtained credit, it is necessary to protect it. This means being careful with your credit, debit and ATM cards, as well as your account and personal identification numbers (PIN). Following these tips will help to ensure your credit is protected.

• Carry only the cards you expect to use, and keep the others in a safe place.
• Maintain a list of account and telephone numbers of the companies that issued your cards. That way, if the cards are lost or stolen, you can notify the companies quickly. Be cautious about giving anyone your account numbers, especially over the telephone when someone calls you.
• Save sales receipts to compare with your bill, and when you discard documents with account numbers on them, be certain that the numbers can’t be read.
• If you disagree with an item on your credit card billing statement, you are responsible for notifying your credit card issuer in writing within 60 days of the date of the statement. You should include your name, account number, the item you believe is in error and the reasons why.

Here are a few important steps to help consumers use and manage their credit wisely. 

Pay on time.

Paying your credit card account on time helps you avoid late fees, which can pile up. In addition, it enables you to maintain a good credit history. Ultimately, a good credit history can qualify you for lower rates in the future. If your bill is due at an inconvenient time of the month — for example, if it’s due on the 10th and you get paid on the 15th — ask your credit card issuer to change your billing cycle to fit your cash flow. It can be as easy as a phone call.

Stay below your credit limit.

Every credit card has a limit of how much money you can charge. Going over this amount will accrue a fee and increase your interest rate. To avoid this, keep a record of your spending, and check your balance online or over the phone. Remember that some merchants, such as hotel and car rental companies, put a “hold” on your credit card based on their estimate of the amount you will charge. This can reduce your available credit until the final charge is processed.

Understand account fees.

Credit card issuers charge fees for cash advances, transferring balances and having a payment returned. Some issuers charge a fee when you pay your bill by phone — find out the rules of your account. If you need a cash advance, withdraw enough money so that you don’t have to take a second cash advance and incur a second fee later in the month. Read your credit card agreement to learn more about the fees that your credit card issuer charges.

Pay more than the minimum amount due.

Even if you can’t pay your balance in full each month, pay as much on the account as you can. Over time, you’ll pay less in interest charges and you’ll pay off your balance sooner.

Watch for changes in the terms of your account.

Credit card issuers are allowed to change the terms and conditions of your account. When this happens, they will send you “change in terms” notices, which often include new fees, interest rates and billing features. At this point, you can decide whether you want to change the way you use the card. For example, if cash advance fees increase, you may decide to use a different card for cash advances. If you have a card with a variable rate or if you have an introductory rate that is ending, be aware that credit card issuers are not required to send you a notice. Interest rates are listed on your monthly bill — read your bill carefully and take note of any changes.

Sign up for online account servicing.

Online account services also allow you to monitor account activity on a daily or hourly basis and sign up to pay your bills automatically online. In addition, credit card issuers offer the option to receive your statement notification via email. This allows you to view your statement instantly, rather than waiting for them to arrive in the mail. Visit your credit card company Web site to learn how to sign up for online servicing.

Follow these steps to maintain the best possible credit rating

Avoid Getting in over your head. Think of your credit limits as paychecks you have yet to receive. By doing so, you’ll realize you are spending money before you have it. This is essential , as many borrowers do not think of loans as their money.

This is a steadfast trap. Today we use credit for many purposes, from purchasing a home with a mortgage loan to buying clothes with a credit card. Credit gives us the freedom to make purchases without having to carry cash and allows us to spread payments for purchases over time if we choose.

Unfortunately, it’s sometimes easy to get caught up in a cycle of spending on credit. Learn how to manage your credit wisely.

Pay all your bills on time. That means paying at least the minimum amount due on all credit card, loan, and utility bills. Try paying a little extra on your mortgage or credit card debt by targeting one at a time. You’d be surprised how fast you can pay off existing debt this way.

Minimize outstanding balances. Avoid maxing out credit lines whenever possible. Don’t run up the large balances that result in large monthly payments. This will also allow you to have a reserve to use in case of emergencies. Lenders look at your overall debt and base it against your income. Having your limits maxed out can make your debt ratio to high.

Optimize available credit. Having too much credit available can be a red flag on your credit history. Don’t apply for every loan or credit card that’s offered. Keep a reasonable number of accounts with reasonable lines of credit. Close others that you do not use. If you wait to long, the lender may close it after seeing how much available you have and it will be noted as “closed by lender” on your credit reports. Avoid that by closing some yourself.

Avoid lawsuits and judgments. Judgments against you will appear on your credit history. They can remain forever if they go unpaid simply be the judgment creditor renewing the judgment every 10-12 years. Avoid them! This will not only help to protect your credit rating but it will also simplify your life. Negotiations is a better alternative then being sued and can be very successful.

Keep a hold on your house and job. Your credit rating may slip if you change jobs or move frequently. Try to maintain stable employment, and avoid moving more often than necessary. Multiple addresses and employers are a red flag to lenders. it can be a sign of instability.

Take Charge Of Your Finances

Develop a solid budget. First, you should determine your net monthly income (after taxes and other deductions). Next, subtract your monthly expenses, including rent, food, utilities, transportation, insurance and other regular costs. The remaining money is your disposable net income. You may want to open a savings account and put some money away for long-term savings, upcoming purchases and emergencies.

Seek assistance if you need it. If you feel you’re overextended, turn to your lenders for help as soon as possible. If you’re honest about your situation, you can probably arrange an alternative payment method. Want a credit counselor to evaluate your credit? We can tell you where you need improvement.

2. Keep Track Of Your Budget – Knowing how, where and how much you are spending is key to keeping a healthy financial status, always keep records and write down all financial transactions, a good software program such as Quicken and QuickBooks can dramatically help you keep track of your budget.

3. Use Your Credit Responsibly – Don’t fall on the credit card trap, credit card companies will do everything to try to make you charge your credit card as high as possible, low interest rates, mail you free checks etc… Think before you use your plastic! Ask yourself do I need this? How long will it take me to pay it off? and most importantly… Can I afford it?

4. Find The Best APR Rates – A low or reasonable interest rate can save you a lot of money, always read the fine print before you apply for a credit card, loan etc…. Some credit cards will tempt you with a low interest rate to get you to sign up and then they will raise the rates dramatically, so be sure you know what you’re getting into.

5. Pay Your Bills On Time – Late payments can put a big dent in your pocket and your credit history, some credit card companies will raise their APR if you have a few late payments on your record, make sure you know when your payments are due and mail your payments on time.

6. Always Check Your Statements – Make sure all information on your monthly statements is correct especially look for charges that you have not made to your account.

7. Think Before Becoming A Co-Signer – Be aware that if you co-sign for someone and they are unable to fulfill their part of the agreement then you will be responsible for any unpaid debts, even if you have AAA credit, this can hurt your good credit, so think before you co-sign.

8. Keep Good Account Records – It’s a good idea to keep an accurate record of your account numbers, expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each creditor in a secure place in case you ever lose your credit cards you are able to contact the companies as soon as possible.

9. Dispose Of Records Properly – Never throw away credit card statements, bank records etc without shredding them or destroying any account information, this will prevent possible credit and/or identity theft which has become quite common these days.

10. Use Cash Whenever Possible – By using cash instead of credit whenever possible people tend to spend less, this may help you to lower your debt instead of making it worse.