Lesson 1 - Ecourse

Thank you for subscribing to my credit
ecourse! In this ecourse you'll learn all about:

Part 1: First Things First – Your Credit Report
Part 2: FICO and You
Part 3: Next Things Next – Finding Your Score
Part 4: Establishing Good Credit
Part 5: Repairing Your Credit Score
Part 6: Identity Theft and Your Credit
Part 7: Raising Your Credit Score
That being said... Lets get started shall we  :)
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Part 1:First Things First – Your Credit Report
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The very first step you need to take when trying to raise your credit score is to find out what your score is and what it means.  Legislation called the FACT Act was passed that allows all Americans to get one free copy of their credit report every year.  This report lists all of your debts you’ve had and your payment history on those debts.
It will tell you where you owe money, how much you owe, and how you pay (on time, 30 days late, etc.).  All of that information is compiled together and then analyzed. 
After the analysis, a number is assigned to you as to what your credit fitness level is.  Potential creditors then look at your credit score and decide if you are going to be able to pay back the amount of money you are requesting to borrow.
That’s the short version.  Actually, there is much, much more involved in determining your credit score.  However, what should be important to you is knowing how to read your credit report and how to raise that score so that you are able to get the things you need.  Remember that – the things you NEED, not the things you WANT!
Let’s start with how to get your credit report in the first place.  There are three major credit reporting agencies that will offer you the one free credit report you get each year.  They are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. 
Even though you get one free credit report each year, experts suggest that if you are serious about improving your credit score, you need to examine a report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.  This will, however cost you a small fee from the other two, so keep that in mind.
Why do they suggest you have all three?  Creditors can pick and choose which credit reporting agency they want to report to.  Some will report to all three, but many won’t.  You may find that what is included on one report isn’t on another.  The reports will have different information because it's a voluntary system, and creditors subscribe to whichever agency they want -- if any at all.

For more information about credit and The Fix My Credit Guide, please refer to my website  http://www.goodcreditmatters.info/

Take Care,
Alphonso Smith
Good Credit Does Matter