Maintaining Credit

Useful Tips On Maintaining Good Credit.

• Check your credit report at least once a year. This costs very little, gives you the chance to spot inaccuracies and report them immediately, and informs you who has requested your information.

• Avoid credit-repair services. Only you can challenge your credit report. Consult nonprofit consumer credit counseling services for problems with your credit.

• Do not write your credit card number or Social Security number on your checks or anywhere else they can be copied. (Merchants cannot charge your credit card account if the check bounces.)

• Keep purchase receipts and compare them against credit card charges for purchases.

• Keep credit card balances within limits, always pay on time, and pay at least the minimum required.

• Shred financial documents, including unsolicited, preapproved credit card offers.

• Be careful about the mail, for example, notify all creditors of changes of address; when ordering checks, have them delivered to a lockable mailbox; and make sure you receive monthly bank and credit card statements. (If these do not arrive, it may mean someone else is accessing your accounts.)

• Never lend a credit card to anyone.

• Use preauthorized account debits to make routine monthly payments and avoid having to mail checks.

• Never use one credit card to pay another.

Check Your Credit File — Or Fix It!
Contact one of these credit bureaus annually — at least — to check your credit rating, or to request corrections. Some experts advise checking all three: