Bad Credit? How to Free Yourself

A bad mark or negative mark on a credit report can seem overwhelming, and in some cases, it can even seem impossible to erase. With a little persistence, effort and time, you can overcome these challenges.

There are many reasons why bad things appear on your credit report. A lot of people find it difficult to remove the negative marks from their credit report because most tips they come across require a lot of time and money. Remember, cleaning your credit report with a good score is a guarantee that you will get more bank loans and other financial institutions, which is fundamental for achieving your goals.

Again, getting bad marks on your credit report is horrible. It can be the result of late payments, defaulting, bankruptcy or debts, which are very difficult to solve. Therefore, many people desire to know how to get rid of bad marks on their credit reports. Is it possible to do that? Will you need the services of a lawyer? We will answer all these questions in this article.

How to find out what's on your credit report

• You can get or obtain a copy of your credit report for free from the three major credit bureaus each year. Get a copy of your credit report. Yearly, you can get free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus, Illion, Equifax and Experian. You can request them online.
• You can order a report online or by phone.
• If you order online, you'll typically get an e-mail with a link to print or save an electronic copy of your report.
• If you order by phone, you'll usually receive a paper copy.

Here's what you'll find on your credit report:

1. Your credit score. Credit score varies from 300 to 850 that is generated using information from your credit reports, such as payment history, balances due, credit history duration, and credit kinds.
2. Your credit history. This section includes every loan or account that you've ever applied for, including credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, student loans and more.
3. Your personal information. This section includes your full name, current address, Social Security number, date of birth, employment history, marital status, driving record, military history and more.
4. Your credit inquiries. This section lists every credit inquiry you've made, including applications for credit, loans, mortgages, credit cards and more.
5. Dispute information. This section includes existing inaccuracies or negative information on your credit report.
6. Credit monitoring. This section includes any credit monitoring services you have signed up for.

Find out: How to Get an 830 from 620 Credit Rating?

What are bad marks on your credit report?

Bad credit is any credit rating below 700. For most of us, that score is the result of late payments, high debt, or past credit problems.

Your credit report contains data and information on all of your credit accounts, including details like: 

• Your payment history, 
• Balances 
• Credit limits 
• Credit limit extensions
• Inquiries 
• Late Payments 
• Account status 
• Types of credit used

It can also include information about

• Bankruptcies, 
• Foreclosures, 
• Liens, 
• Civil judgments, 
• Repossessions
• Unpaid child support. 
• Charge-offs
• Public record
• Collection
• Notice of default
• 36-month delinquency
• Accounts in collection

These are known as derogatory marks since they lower your credit score.

Having a few derogatory marks isn't likely to have a significant effect on your score, but having them appear on your credit report for a long time can.

Bad marks and defaults on your credit reports are bad news. They can make it harder to get a mortgage, car loan, credit card and other types of credit. Here are some or a few common reasons why you might get a negative mark on your credit.

Find out what section of the credit report the error(s) occur(s)

Your credit report may contain a mistake, but do you know which section? Mistakes may be scattered across your credit report. In general, errors in your credit report are more likely to occur in your identifying information. 

Here's an overview of how errors appear:

• Incorrect or missing information
• Wrong facts in a section Erroneous data order
• Unowned information
• Someone else's information
• Fraud Errors

Two things you can do right away after getting a bad mark on your credit

1. Don't panic. To repair bad credit, don't panic. But make sure you act promptly. There are ways and procedures you can take to improve your credit score, and the sooner you start, the better.

Your credit score isn't carved in stone. If you have done all that you can to repair your credit report, and you still can't score high enough to be approved for a credit card, you have other options.

2. Negotiate. Don't get intimidated, intimidated or embarrassed. You're NOT alone, and you don't have to go through this alone.

A negative or bad mark on your credit report can be devastating — leading to delays, denials and higher interest rates. But it doesn't have to happen to you.

The Australian Credit Lawyer guarantees you the right to dispute any information contained in your credit report and get the help you need to fix any errors.

Three things to alter following a bad mark on your credit report.

Here are three things that will affect your behaviour after receiving a negative credit report mark.

1. You'll quit applying for new credit cards. Credit scores are based on credit utilization, so trying to increase the size of your credit limits, even if you can afford to do so, could hurt your score.

2. You'll ditch your big purchases. If you really have a bad credit rating, you will almost certainly have a tough time getting approved for a significant investment, like a car or a house. For example, a recent survey by Equifax found that 35 per cent of people with poor credit were turned down for a mortgage.

3. You'll stop trying to buy things you don't need. Have you ever been excited about getting something, only to have it fall apart on you? Or maybe you racked up a bunch of purchases, only to get a nasty surprise when you got your statement? People who make poor credit decisions often learn this lesson the hard way.

What do you do about an error on your credit report?

Here are four steps you can take if you do find an error on your credit report.

Step 1: Remove negative information. Examine your credit file to see if there are any inaccuracies. You can do this for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. It is a smart idea to review your credit report several times a year because new information can be added, and it's possible that you may have been a victim of identity theft.

Step 2: Dispute the correct information. Once you receive a response from the credit reporting company, you can dispute the news again. This time, you'll write to the reporting agency and explain why you believe the information is incorrect. In some cases, the credit reporting company may correct the information on your credit report.

Step 3: File a police report. If the credit reporting company does remove the incorrect information, you'll need to file a report with your local police. This will confirm that you disputed the information and will also help ensure that they have the information in case it ever shows up again.

Step 4: Follow-up. The credit bureau has 45 days to give you the written results of your dispute. If it's found to have made a mistake, it must notify the company that provided the information, and it must correct the error.

Here are things you can do to improve your credit score:

1. Pay your bills on time

2. Avoid credit inquiries

3. Increase your overall credit

4. Keep up with payments on existing accounts

5. Ask creditors to remove negative information

6. Pay down debt

7. Keep credit utilization low

8. Manage accounts wisely

9. Show them you're responsible

10. Close old accounts

Once you've taken care of your credit, here are some other things to think about:

1. Learn about your credit score

2. Get or obtain a copy of your credit report

3. Find out who your creditors are

4. Keep credit reports updated

5. Watch for unexpected or suspicious activity

6. Monitor your credit report

7. Stay on top of your finances

8. Build up savings

Will you need the services of a lawyer?

There are many ways to remove negative marks from your credit report. You can dispute them with credit bureaus, take out a loan to pay off old debts, and many more. While some people swear by these methods, the truth is that they don't always work. That's why you may want to try another option — hiring a lawyer.

Lawyers who specialize in credit repair will first review your credit report and make sure it's accurate. If they find mistakes, they can file a dispute with the credit bureaus, which oversees credit reporting. If your credit report is correct, the lawyer will come up with a plan to deal with your debts. This could include negotiating a settlement with a credit card company or applying for a loan to pay off old debts.

If your credit report is still full of negative marks, the lawyer can sue debt collectors who unfairly report information to credit bureaus. This tactic is controversial, and it may backfire because it could scare off future consumers.

You can hire a credit repair lawyer in a freelance capacity, or the best is to ask a credit repair company to take on your case. However, it's essential to make sure they're appropriately licensed before you hire them and that they'll be able to negotiate a settlement with debt collectors.

Top 8 Reasons to Choose Australian Credit Lawyer

Here are eight critical reasons why an Australian Credit Lawyer is the right choice for you.

1. We are a Credit Repair Lawyer for Your Legal Rights

A credit lawyer can defend your rights and interests.

2. Australian Credit Lawyers is your one-stop-shop for Credit Law advice. We specialize in Credit Law and offer several services. Our Credit Law advice starts by understanding your circumstances. Then we help you reach your financial objectives.

3. Our Lawyer's advice is tailored specifically to your individual circumstances. Credit Repair experts are experienced in dealing with credit law matters.

4. Australian Credit Lawyers have assisted more than a thousand clients since 2009. Our Credit Law experts have helped clients achieve debt freedom.

5. Our credit repair services begin with a comprehensive initial consultation.

6. Our credit repair lawyers are experts who can assess your credit law issues, explain your legal position, and formulate a plan to resolve your credit repair issues.

7. Our credit lawyers are experts and familiar with Credit Law matters with extensive experience. ACL experts can draft your Credit Law documents, such as Credit Agreements and Personal Guarantees. Our advice is comprehensive.

8. Our credit repair advice is professional. Australian Credit Lawyers are lawyers who care about their clients. We act with integrity.

• Services are affordable.
• Credit repair advice is tailored to you. 
• Our services are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
• Our credit repair advice is confidential.

Conclusion

It is hard to erase bad credit marks without help, but with the tips mentioned in this guide, it will be easier. Always make sure you carry out all of them to keep your credit record in check. 

Most importantly, if you have bad marks on your credit report and need to know how to get rid of harmful effects on your credit report, then you should choose a Top Credit Repair here in Australia. Selecting the Australian Credit Lawyer is an important decision for you and your whole family.

Contact Us:

1300 368 302

help@australiancreditlawyers.com.au