Owning some of the highest average credit balances in the United States, Texans understand the importance of having a good image in the eyes of lenders and insurers. Whether you are planning to switch insurance providers or take out a mortgage loan in Wichita Falls, Cashion Community, or Electra, you ought to have a strong credit profile to be eligible for favorable deals.
Keeping your credit scores high in the time of COVID-19 can be difficult. Even economic experts can’t come up with a consensus on the implications of the spread of coronavirus globally in the US. To maintain good creditworthiness until the pandemic blows over, do the following:
Do Not Forget to Pay Your Bills on Time
You may have more urgent priorities to think about during these trying times, but you should still honor your financial obligations. Forgetting to make credit card, insurance, and loan payments will hurt you financially in more ways than one.
When you need to use credit to replenish your supply of essentials and fund any necessary medical expenses, you may be forced to face the music if you upset too many creditors.
Notify Your Creditors About Possible Delinquency
If you can’t make a payment, go out of your way to advise concerned parties about it. Creditors such as auto loan and mortgage lenders might observe more patience and understanding and provide extra leeway for debtors.
Try to work out reasonable and acceptable payment arrangements with your creditors. It is an effective way to tell them that you are not turning your back on your responsibilities.
Review Your Credit Reports With a Keen Eye
The causes of identity fraud might spike when there is social panic and economic uncertainty. Make it a point to review your credit reports thoroughly to identify every single incorrect item. You can receive a free credit report from each major credit bureau.
So do not hesitate to make a request ahead of your planned loan application to give you time to dispute every inaccuracy that you will find.
Dispute Incorrect Items
If you discover something wrong with your credit report, tell the credit bureau that prepared it about the mistake. The other party will launch an investigation and correct a legitimate inaccuracy accordingly. Removing improper negative items from your credit reports could improve your credit standing significantly.
Include a Consumer Statement to Your Credit Reports
If your dispute was not resolved satisfactorily, you could add a Consumer Statement to your credit report at no cost. Use this document to explain the nature of your dispute. Since it will be part of your credit file, any lender who will make a hard inquiry should be able to find it.
Take Advantage of Free Credit Monitoring
Many credit bureaus and loan marketplaces offer free credit monitoring services to help you stay on top of your credit reports. If you agree to use one, you can be alerted whenever there is a change in your credit report and be able to address every suspicious activity immediately.
The scariest thing about COVID-19 is perhaps the outbreak’s economic and financial effects on the lives of the general public. Do what you can to protect credit at all costs to avoid making your situation worse.
