Fix your Credit today and Protect your Financial Freedom!

by | Jul 29, 2021 | 2021 Monthly Newsletter

The truth is, your credit can negatively affect every aspect of your life.

 

 

It can keep you from getting a house, renting an apartment, or even getting a vehicle. It can also make it impossible to get a competitive loan, mortgage and insurance premiums – to name a few.

 

If you’re struggling with poor credit, THD Credit can make the credit repair process simple for you! We will conduct a full analysis of your credit history. We know what to look for, understand the process of fixing inaccuracies and can guide you on what you are legally entitled to from both creditors and the credit bureaus.

 

THD Credit’s Credit repair process includes the following steps:

 

 
  • Review your credit report (or will produce a copy of your report)
  • Analyze the details
  • Develop a strategy with actionable steps to improve your score
  • Provide the guidance you need to rebuild your credit
 

If you are ready to work together to challenge credit report errors and optimize your scores,  call 1-800-822-7120 and let me know you’re ready to get started!

 

-Erik Kaplan

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How to Deal with Debt Collectors

by | Jul 7, 2021 | 2021 Monthly Newsletter

Dealing with collection agencies can be an unpleasant experience with annoying tactics at best — and predatory, or even illegal, at worst.

The FTC enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when they collect debts.

The most important thing for you is to know what debt collectors (and attorneys) cannot do:

  • Contact other people such as your neighbors, relatives, or employers about the debt except to get your address and phone number.
  • Contact you before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M.
  • Contact you at work if you tell the collector your employer does not allow this.
  • Contact you directly if you have an attorney.
  • Continue to try to collect the debt if you dispute the debt in writing.
  • Lie to you about the debt or threaten or harass you.

If debt collectors are calling you, consider talking to them at least once, even if you don’t think you owe the debt or can’t repay it immediately. This will help you gather information about the debt and confirm whether it’s really yours.  

If you do talk to them, be sure they can provide  “validation information” as follows:

  • How much money you owe
  • How to get the name of the original creditor
  • How old is the debt and when was the last payment made in the account. It may be past the statute of limitations to be sued on this debt.

If a  debt collector is hounding you, seeking payment on a consumer debt you owe – whatever the situation is, we can help. 

THD Credit can help settle debt and stop all the harassing phone calls. Just call us at 800-822-7120 today.

-Erik Kaplan

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What is a Credit Freeze and should I use it?

by | May 27, 2021 | 2021 Monthly Newsletter

Data breaches expose consumers’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) at an alarming rate, and continue to place people at risk of identity theft and fraud.

What is a Credit Freeze?

 

A credit freeze (AKA security freeze) is a tool you can use to help protect yourself against credit fraud.
 
When you freeze your credit reports you are restricting access to these reports. This temporarily suspends anyone from accessing this information, which means neither you nor identity thieves can open new lines or credit or loans in your name.

Think of it as locking away a valuable item until you need it again. When that time comes, you can unfreeze your credit report and once again allow lenders access.

 

Should I use a Credit Freeze?

Whether you’re a victim of credit or identity fraud or choosing to be proactive against this type of crime, a freeze is a great option for protecting yourself.

 

This process is quick as once you contact the credit bureaus by phone or online they must put the freeze in place within 1 business day.

 

Here is the contact information for the three credit bureaus:

 

  • Equifax: Call 800-685-1111 or online
  • Experian: Call 888-397-3742 or online
  • TransUnion: Call 888-909-8872 or online
If you need to ‘thaw’ your credit, you can do this for a specified amount of time or leave it open until you freeze it again.

 

Another added benefit of a credit freeze is that it prevents the bureaus from selling your data, which should stop unsolicited mail / offers.

 

This simple process does not cost anything nor does it affect your credit score. If you want to freeze your credit, you need to do it at each of the three major credit bureaus.

 

Make sure you’re taking the proper steps to secure your information so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

 

If you have any questions at all please call us at (800) 822-7120.
 
 

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How To Establish, Build, and Access Business Credit

by | May 4, 2021 | 2021 Monthly Newsletter

This Month’s Newsletter is brought to you by Business Credit 101!

If you are a business owner or if you are looking to start a new business, one of the most overlooked resources available to you is your business credit. There are so many benefits to establishing and building your business credit including:

Separate Liabilities from your personal to your business
Minimize personal DTI / Debt to Income Ratio
Get access to high limit credit accounts in the business name
Get access to Government programs and Grants
Open doors for vendor, business, and investor relationships
Reduce cost on business insurances and landlords scrutiny
Increase the value of your business for future Sale

Getting Started

The first step in establishing business credit is making sure your business is Credible in the eyes of the banks, lenders, and the business credit bureaus; Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax Business credit divisions. There are 10 items or data points that must be in place so that your business is “Credible”.
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Tier 1

Once your business is Credible, we then move on to earning a “Paydex” score. To earn a Paydex score you will need 3-5 business credit accounts to report to D&B. At this point, Round 1 or Tier 1 is completed and your business is in a position with a legitimate business credit profile. You are ready to move on to the next tier and qualify for government grants and business funding.

Paydex Score

A Paydex score is a score that is created by Dun & Brad street once you establish a business credit profile on their platform. The first thing you have to do is establish a “credible” business, set up a free Duns number, and then you’ll need 3 to 5 starter business credit reporting accounts that will report to D&B. Once you have 3 to 5 accounts reporting, you will then be issued a Paydex score. Getting a high Paydex score requires strategic payment timing. Your score is from 0 to 100 and 80+ is good 90+ is excellent.
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​Keep Building – Tier 2

In Tier 2 you will begin to now have access to more powerful accounts with larger limits. You will be able to access a mixture of Net 30 accounts, Revolving Credit Lines, Retail accounts, and Fleet accounts.
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​You are now building your business credit and momentum is on your side. By the end of this round and based on the accounts you set up in Tier 1 you should have at least 7-8 accounts. Reporting on your business credit profile.
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You should have an 80 or higher Paydex score. Your business should be easy to find in public records, all of your data points are intact and match across all platforms.
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Tiers 3-4

Tiers 3-4 are going to be more of the same from Tier 2, just with access to even bigger and better account options, collectively giving you access up to $100,000 plus of credit. Once you have completed Tier 4 you should have 14+ accounts reporting on your business credit profile.

Our partners at Business Credit 101 can help you from start to finish.

They can save you time and money on your business credit journey by providing you with clear step by step instructions.

Don’t wait until you need funding to start building! Click here to begin with a Free Business Credit 101 Builder Consultation today!

-Erik Kaplan

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Comparing Debt Consolidation vs. Debt Settlement

by | Apr 1, 2021 | 2021 Monthly Newsletter

Debt consolidation and debt settlement are both options for resolving debt.  However, each method has a different strategy and timeline before you are free of debt. They each can affect your credit score differently.

 Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation is a debt management strategy in which you combine multiple debts into a single payment, with a lower interest rate.  You can use a balance-transfer credit card, debt consolidation loan, home-equity loan or 401(k) loan. 

Why You Might Choose It:  

  • To get a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying, which saves you money and can help you pay off your debt sooner.
  • To reduce the number of creditors you owe and therefore the number of payments you’re juggling. 
  • Debt consolidation loans may allow you to use assets like your home or car as collateral.

What You Need To Know:

  • Debt consolidation can lead to a small dip in your credit score typically by a few points when a lender performs a hard inquiry on your credit. 
  • You’ll have a longer period of time before you’re debt free.

Debt Settlement

Debt settlement is the process of negotiating with creditors (usually credit card issuers) to reduce the amount you owe in exchange for a one-time lump sum payment to settle the account.

Why You Might Choose It: 

  • Your income is stable enough that you can continue to pay your mortgage or rent and other essential bills in addition to the payments required under a debt settlement.
  • To avoid court-mandated controls of bankruptcy while still lowering the amount of debt you have to pay.
  • Creditors know you can always file for bankruptcy, which could eliminate their ability to collect anything from you which is why they might be willing to accept less.

What You Need To Know:

  • Typically, only unsecured debts can be settled. Unsecured debts include medical bills and credit card debt; but not public student loans, or secured debt (i.e. auto loans or mortgages). 
  • The process of debt settlement requires you to stop making payments on the accounts you want to settle which can damage your credit score.  Typically from 75 – 100 points.
  • Debt settlement will be on your credit report for seven years and can impact your ability to get a loan and the interest rate you pay, if you are approved.

Tackling debt can be an important financial and personal goal. If you have any questions about either of these debt relief methods call me at (800) 822-7120.  I can help!

-Erik Kaplan

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