Can my brother access my free credit score online?

Your credit report is your personal property or document and you have every right to safeguard it – from everyone. It has a lot of sensitive information including your Social Security number. So, no one and absolutely no one is legally entitled to see your free credit score online – not even your brother- unless you share the login details and authorise him to do so or somehow he manages to get hold of them.

The best thing about credit reports is that the section that lists credit inquiries – who made them and when – are displayed and you will know if that person is authorised to do it or not.

• Authorising another person to your report:

Adding someone to a card account as an authorised user is a process initiated by the primary card-holder. In this case, either one of them or they both jointly bear the responsibility for all charges on the card. Having an authorised user to your credit card means you are allowing them to make purchases with it. But because you continue to be the primary cardholder, the onus of paying for those expenses lies on you.

• What to do in case your brother gets access to your credit report?

Committing a crime of this order isn’t easy for any family member and neither does it leave them feeling great about themselves. Remember, simply adding an authorized user won't affect your Credit scores, but if you do realise that your brother has been making unreasonable expenses like buying video games, etc., at the expense of your credit scores, he can be easily be removed from your credit reports any time.

• In case of illegal viewing: Illegal or unauthorised viewing of your free credit score online checks, it should be taken seriously. It is as if someone has broken into your house and looked through your cupboard and files. Credit reports systematically contain all your financial records.

If your brother has made an illegal inquiry it is important to report the matter. And this means you are in a tough situation. If you still decide not to go that far and not to take any legal action against your brother for unauthorised viewing of your credit scores, there still are certain steps that you could simply adapt to discourage your brother from running free credit score online checks in future. 

Let’s check them out

• Notify the bureaus 
• Place a fraud alert
• Change passwords 
• Place protection tools like trackers, simulators, etc:
• Place a freeze on the account
• Be cautious

• Review credit reports carefully

Log on to https://creditsscore.in for more information on the subject.

Fearlessly check credit score online with apps to protect your data

Worried that you and your family could become a victim of online fraud? Your fears to check credit score online are not baseless when hackers are always a step ahead and scheming to get hold of people’s data.

Of course, some agencies monitor and protect your data if you subscribe to them, but still the onus of protecting your online data lies on you. The problem with the standard way of logging into accounts via a username and a password is that they are easily guessed. For the sake of convenience, people use the same password for all held accounts, thus, putting all accounts at risk. Hence, it’s critical to adopt tools that will provide your data with an extra protective cushion.

Let’s check out some ways that can help you save your data.

1. Trackers: It allows you to track any unusual changes in credit scores and report. You can spot and clamp suspicious activities and minimise the damage. There are several check credit score online tracking apps that have provided satisfactory results to the users.
2. Multifactor authentication: It provides an extra layer of protection to the account beyond a password. The verification process requires you to provide a second piece of proof to verify your identity. So, even if an unauthorised person has your login/username and password, he cannot access the data.
3. Lost-wallet safety kit: It allows you to securely store crucial data of cards they carry with them every day. The tool offers pre-registration of debit, credit cards, and medical identification cards, etc. If the data ever gets lost/stolen, the app has to be updated or inform the protection service agency if you have subscribed for it. The stolen/lost cards will be blocked immediately and would be of no use to anyone else.
4. A fraud alert: If you happen to physically lose your credit card, you just need to contact your card issuer and inform them about the loss. The issuer then cancels your account and issues a new credit card with a new account number, thus preventing any fraudulent activities from your account and protects your credit scores as well.
5. Install protection software on devices:  Whether you are accessing your accounts from your mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop, install protection software and keep updating them from time-to-time. They are good at blocking all attacks.

Not everyone needs these check credit score online protection tools and services. But if you think your data has been compromised or believe you are at a higher risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, then stay with https://creditsscore.in.

Stuck while buying a house? Know how to improve credit score

Credit scores brimming with energy are ideal when it comes to buying a house or getting a home loan. Credit scores below 650 are unhappy scores and the score holder needs to take strategic steps on how to improve credit score. The rewards these scores fetch are not as good as rewards fetched by 700+ scores.

But if you are one of those who often shuttle between bad and mediocre credit scores and seeking a home loan, there’s good news for you. You can still get a loan and have your dream home.

Working on how to improve your credit scores can be a daunting task, but we are here to hold your hand and guide you through some basic steps that will tell you how to improve credit score before applying for a home loan. 

Let’s check out options to strengthen and solidify your scores.

1. Check your credit report: This is the first step to improve the scores and you need to be in full control of your report. It is important to know what is bringing it down; where exactly you stand and what needs to be done. This way, you can work on the problem areas and avoid major errors from happening.
2. Fix the errors: Most people whose home loan applications have been rejected for they have had errors or inaccurate information in their credit reports. Check out yours. Once you spot the error file, claim with your credit bureau and wait for a response which should come within 30-60 days. 
3. Get out of debt fast: About 30% of your score is calculated on how much you owe. Find out your debts, decide which ones you need to pay first and stop taking fresh debt to pay off your old debts. That is a bad idea.
4. Automate payments: Once you automate your finances, you won’t have to worry about manually paying bills each month or forgetting a payment. You automatically start investing. Ideally, you could also improve your score by paying at least the minimum amount and if possible a little more every month.
5. Lower credit utilisation: This is the second biggest factor in determining your credit score. It contributes 30% of your score and reflects how financially responsible you are. The amount of available credit you are using is called credit utilisation ratio.

Tip: Do not close any accounts within six months of filing the loan application. You need as much credit as possible when you apply for home loans.  

If your credit is not as strong as you would like, work on building it. If you are still fretting on how to improve credit score stay with us for more.

Join us on https://creditsscore.in/how-to-check-credit-score.

Pre-screened credit companies offer cards based on credit scores and more

If your buddy has been receiving pre-screened credit card offers, chances are that he is one of the ‘potentially desirable customers’  as far as the card companies are concerned. However, just receiving the pre-screened credit card offers in your mailbox doesn’t mean you have one already. If you are interested you will have to apply. And then only will the actual processing be initiated.

When companies offer the card, it means the user meets certain initial criteria the card companies are looking for in potential new customers based on limited data it has about the user.  So it doesn’t make much sense to outrightly discard credit card offers. You just need to be selective. And yes, it is perfectly safe to scan the offers before sending them to the trash. But before that it is always nice if the user runs a credit score check of his account.

How it works

Credit card companies pull the user’s credit report which is a hard inquiry. Though this has a minor negative effect on the user's credit score and it is temporary. Hence, the user should use his discretion and apply for the offer with immense care. Scan and compare offers of other credit card companies and even research the lenders independently, look out for annual fee and rewards programmes, cashback, etc.

What to look out for?

Credit companies that offer good perks have a good credit card. It doesn’t make much sense unless the rewards are luring. The best part about pre-screened offers is that it provides its users with product choices, better rates and terms than most other offers usually available in the market. Remember, the credit card industry is on a boom and all of them are offering competitive offers. A credit card must best suit the user’s lifestyle and financial situation. So, it is important to read the offers carefully and opt for the best deals.

The final step:  

Once the user applies the company will review the application to determine whether the credit history meets the criteria it had offered the user. Credit card companies will take a look at the user’s credit report or verify his income. Sometimes, the applications of pre-screened users too get disapproved for various reasons including poor credit score, income, inability to pay, etc. It is the credit card company is the one that works and approves on the user’s eligibility to possess a credit card.

As far as credit cards are concerned, pre-approved, pre-qualified, and pre-screened credit cards, all mean the same.  Users who haven’t received a pre-screened credit card offer need not feel disheartened. It doesn’t mean they do not qualify for it. They can apply for one on their own and suit their requirement and get the best deals.

Log on to https://creditsscore.in/ for more information. 

Apps that tell you how to check credit scores

A customer’s credit data influence his chances of securing a loan, good interest rates and impacts his chances of purchasing a house or a car. No wonder, he needs to monitor his credit scores as often as he can and the apps installed on his androids are a good option. In other words, the apps help a user know his credit that is a key metric for raising bank loan or seeking credit cards.

The money market is full of lenders and creditors who push customers to check out their apps and provide free guides and tutorials on how to check credit score. Over the years, these apps have been downloaded by many and it has made their lives extremely easy by providing accurate information and scores. But a user must identify trustworthy apps that could help him manage their credit scores and not put him in trouble of any sort.

Having ready access to credit scores can come very handy while filling out a rental application, applying for jobs, renting accommodation, seeking insurance and more.

A user can avail this facility by downloading the app on his mobile phone and clicking on the section, ‘My Credit Score’ under the user profile section. The user may be required to fill in certain basic details like name, registered email, address, phone number and more after which a summary of the report is displayed within minutes on the screen. Not only this, apart from the how to check credit score facility, from time to time, most apps do come up with instant and exclusive offers like a huge sum of free credit to lure customers.

Apart from this, he can also avail detailed credit report on his registered email address containing details of his credit utilisations and repayment history. This helps him ascertain his credit rating. This detailed statement is a record of all the in-use credit card and loan accounts in his name. The report also bears important tips and suggestions on improving credit score and maximising spending and safety measures that need to be incorporated to stay away from technical errors and the clutches of scammers. It is a ready guide that tells you where you stand with late payments, how you can apply for a mortgage and more.

Last, but not the least, app users must also keep in mind to upgrade to latest versions on ‘how to check credit score’. A good score makes you a good tenant, a good employee and a good borrower. It indeed is your credential.

Stay with us on https://creditsscore.in for further details on how apps can help a user check his credit score in a jiffy.

Do insurance companies run a free credit score check on consumers?

Once the customer starts a policy with an insurance company, it can check the customer’s credit history whenever it wants to with the permission of the customer. An insurance company does a free credit score check of its potential customer to determine his financial ability to make premium payments on time and the likelihood of an insurance claim.

In other words, a customer’s insurance premiums and credit scores influence what he pays to the company. However, inquiries made by lenders have a marginal impact on the individual’s credit scores.

Can an individual refuse a score scan?

A customer can refuse a credit score check anytime. Even after the refusal, the insurance companies will continue with the existing policies and will also have to renew ones that are maturing. However, these companies may not offer the customer the best premiums.

In case of an adverse action

Most customers are unaware that if an insurance company has initiated an adverse action like charging more for coverage, reducing policy coverages, or denying or cancelling the insurance, then it must provide the individual with a written notice which must include,

a. The specific reason for the adverse action

b. description of the factors that influenced the score

c. name, address and toll-free number of the credit bureau that provided the credit information

d. statement of consumer’s right to obtain a free copy of the free credit score check report

e. statement of consumer’s right to challenge information in the report

Tips to up credit score

a. Directly seek free credit score check report from the bureau and look for factual misinformation

b. Pay bills in time and the scores will gradually gain health

c. Apply for a  limited number of credit accounts

d. Good credit management will automatically reflect in the report

e. Ask the company to re-evaluate the insurance credit score at renewal

f. Look out for other insurance companies. While some companies might not use the information at all, other companies might use credit information in different ways and offer different discounts.

Good to know:

a. Ask the company for textual material explaining how credit information is used

b. Ask whether the credit information has affected the premium

c. In case of any errors in the report, be the first to inform the insurance company right away  

d. While looking around for insurance companies remember rates vary from one company to another. Take the best pick.

Having said the above, consumers must be aware of possible traps they could fall into. There are several ‘credit repair’ firms floating in the market offering removal of negative information from credit reports and a ‘quick fix’ therapy which could further upset the scores. Check out https://creditsscore.in/free-credit-score-check for further information.

We have the answer to ‘what is a good credit score?’

Wondering what is a good credit score? A good credit score is the credit level where good things begin to happen and a respectable credit score reflects is marked by good credit management. People with good credit scores are marked as ‘felicitous’ and ‘stable’ by the lenders and the insurance companies see them as people with lower risk compared to those in poor credit risk categories.

However, a perfect credit score doesn’t happen so easily- especially if you are just starting to build credit. Remember, the small amount of efforts you put in now pays off later.

Credit bureaus have split credit scores into five parts. We help you understand what will get you more perks, maximise your rewards, and beat the credit card companies at their own game. Check out the basics of ‘what is a good credit score?’

• 300-579 – Very Poor. Anything in this range and all bets are off. These are significantly below the average credit scores. Lenders do not prefer to do business with such borrowers. They are denied loans and not allowed to open new cards.

Tip: Pay bills on time and avoid high credit utilisation.

Caution: If bankruptcies or other public records are placed on the credit report, they are bound to hurt the credit score severely.

• 580-699 – Poor. People under this score board are considered ‘sub-prime borrowers’. Such credit score holders have suffered major financial eventualities like foreclosures, bankruptcies, etc., on their credit reports. They could be required to pay high interest rates. 

Tip: Work steadily to improve and build up better scores.

Caution: Recovery from these setbacks could take up to 10 years.

• 670-739 –Good. These credit score holders are eligible for a broad variety of credit products. However, they may not charge them the lowest-available interest rates or extend their most selective product offers.

Tip: Increase the odds of approval at more affordable lending terms.

Caution: Stay clear of behaviours that can lower credit score.

• 740-799 –Very Good. These consumers qualify for better interest rates and product offers. The scores signify a proven track record of timely bill payment and good credit management.

Tip: Be mindful of avoiding behaviours that can lower your credit score.

Caution: Guarding against identity thieves and those eager to hijack the hard-earned credit history is vital.

• 800-850 – Exceptionally Good.  These score will have no impact on interest rate. The consumers are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit and offered the lowest rates available.

Tip: Practice additional care to maintain the score.

Caution: Such consumers are more vulnerable to cyber criminal activities. 

This write-up is an attempt to satiate queries about ‘what is a good credit score?’ Log on to https://creditsscore.in for more information.