Jill Russo Foster

Tips for Successful Personal Finances

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Your Credit Report

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In my last post, I suggested that you consider freezing your credit.  Another option would be credit monitoring.  I personally am not a fan of paying for a service that you can do yourself for free.  This is how you do this yourself.

You can review your credit three times per year for FREE!  The Credit Card Act of 2010 lets you have a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every 365 days.  I suggest that instead of you accessing your credit report once a year, that you access your credit report three separate times in a  year and do this yourself.

We make that easy for you.  If you subscribe to this newsletter, Money Choices (www.JillRussoFoster.com) you will receive a reminder email three times per year to access your credit report.  This will not be posted on social media, you will have to subscribe to Money Choices to get this reminder.  Do this today, as your next reminder is coming in a few weeks.  You can then see what is happening on your credit report and catch any suspicious activity.  Sign up today!

Did your credit score go up this past weekend?

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In the past, you may have reviewed your credit score and found someone else’s information on your report?

With this new change, credit reporting agencies will be using a new three point (name, address, social security or date of birth) check system before adding liens and judgements to someone’s credit report.  Hopefully, this will stop some information from appearing on the wring person’s credit report, thus lowering the credit score.

As of July 1, you may see liens and/or judgements that are not yours removed from your credit and therefore your credit score will go up.  It’s estimated that 10 to 12 million consumers will see their credit scores rise by 10 to 40 points this past weekend.

Bottomline, you need to stay on top of your credit reports and check them regularly.  Do you want to be reminded to check one of your credit report every four months, then sign up for my newsletter Money Choices and you will receive a reminder three times per year to help you stay on top of your credit report. www.JillRussoFoster.com

 

It’s May 2015 – Time to order your 2nd Credit Report

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This month use Equifax

Hello, it’s Jill again, reminding you to get your finances in order so you can relax this summer.

How to Order Your Credit Report

The only authorized source for  your report is AnnualCreditReport.com. You won’t be charged and they won’t force you to sign up for “credit monitoring”. It’s yours to review by law. Learn more.

Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select Equifax.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are other ways to order your report:

  • Mail your postal order by downloading the form at AnnualCreditReport.com
  • Call in your order at 1-877-322-8228

What should you do with your report?

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Were you hoping for your credit score instead? Try CreditKarma.com. It doesn’t give you a FICO score, but it comes close by providing scores from TransUnion and VantageScore. And, there’s no charge for you. CreditKarma funds their service through website advertising.

May you have a relaxing and successful summer!

P.S. I’ll send you another reminder in September to help you stay up-to-date on your credit before the holidays.

It’s May 2014 – Time to Order Your 2nd Credit Report of the Year

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CReport-MayReminder-2014

This month use Equifax

Hello, it’s Jill again, reminding you to get your finances in order so you can relax this summer.

How to Order Your Credit Report

Order your credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com – the ONLY authorized source your no-cost annual credit report that’s yours by law.  Learn more.

When ordering online – visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select Equifax.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are other ways to order your report:

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Were you hoping to get your credit score instead? Try CreditKarma.com. CreditKarma does not supply a FICO score, but it does provide scores from TransUnion and VantageScore. And, there’s no charge for you. CreditKarma funds their service through website advertising.

May you have a relaxing and successful summer!

P.S. I’ll send you another reminder in September to help you stay up-to-date on your credit before the holidays.

It’s time to order your report

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It’s January 2014 –
Time to Order Your First Credit Report of the Year
This month use Experian

Hello, it’s Jill again, reminding you to get your finances in order for the New Year by checking your credit report.

How to Order Your Credit Report

Order your credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com – the ONLY authorized source your no-cost annual credit report that’s yours by law.  Learn more.

When ordering online – visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select Experian.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are other ways to order your report:

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Were you hoping to get your credit score instead? Try CreditKarma.com. CreditKarma does not supply a FICO score, but it does provide scores from TransUnion and VantageScore. And, there’s no charge for you. CreditKarma funds their service through website advertising.

May you have a wonderful and successful year!

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P.S. I’ll send you another reminder in May and September to help you stay up-to-date on your credit throughout the year.

It’s September! Kick off to better credit!

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It’s time to order your next credit report
This month use TransUnion

Hello everyone! This is your quarterly reminder from me.

Order your free credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source for a truly FREE annual credit report that’s yours by law. You have the right to know. Exercise your rights! Learn more.

When ordering online:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select TransUnion.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are three ways you can order your report:

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Do you want to know your credit score? Use CreditKarma.com. Credit Karma will give you a close approximation of your FICO score, and it’s free.

Wishing you the best for the school year and the coming holiday season!

Jill Russo Foster

P.S. This is your final reminder for this year. New reminders will begin in January.

It’s May! Relax this summer knowing you’ve checked your credit!

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It’s time to order your next credit report
This month use Equifax

Hello everyone! This is your quarterly reminder from me.
Order your free credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source for a truly FREE annual credit report that’s yours by law. You have the right to know. Exercise your rights! Learn more.

When ordering online:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select Equifax.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are three ways you can order your report:

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Do you want to know your credit score? Use CreditKarma.com. Credit Karma will give you a close approximation of your FICO score, and it’s free.

May you have a sunny and profitable summer!

Jill Russo Foster

P.S. You will receive another reminder in September, allowing you to stay up-to-date on your credit throughout the year.

Don’t Pay a Service! You Can Easily Monitor Your Own Credit

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Credit Report Shock

Identity theft is one of the biggest fears plaguing consumers these days. It was interesting to catch a scene on a crime show recently where a waitress is caught hiding a portable credit card swiper under her apron, then using it to steal her customer’s credit card information. YES, this does happen in real life.

Identity theft isn’t the only thing that can hurt your credit. Banks make mistakes, family members make late-payments on jointly shared accounts, you might have a payment dispute with a fraudulent company. I could go on, but you get the idea. Life happens.

The only way to protect yourself is to consistently monitor your credit. Most people believe that you have to pay an outside company to have your credit monitored. I disagree! I do it myself.

Once you get in the habit of monitoring your credit, it gets easier and becomes an almost compulsive habit. You’ll feel that you have much more control over your life and finances.

How to Monitor Your Own Credit

1. Look over your credit report three times per year minimum. You can do this by visiting www.AnnualCreditReport.com and ordering one report every four months. It’s completely free.  If you subscribe to Quick Tips, you’ll get a reminder email with instructions in January, May and September.

2. Check your credit score at www.CreditKarma.com every month to see if there are any changes. This is also free. Monitoring changes in your score can alert you to hidden issues.

3. Monitor your bank accounts (checking, savings, etc.) to see if there are any unusual transactions.  Most banks have online access, so you can easily check any time you get online. My virtual bank accounts actually email me with every transaction, so that’s an added plus.

4. Monitor your credit card accounts. I get online and check each and every account to see what’s happening. I do this every week or so, just to be on the safe side. These days, people can even scan credit card information through your wallet or purse from a distance. It doesn’t hurt to be careful.

Yes, taking these steps can take up some time, but it’s well worth it. Even with my busy schedule, I am able to find the time to monitor my credit. I am comfortable checking my accounts and credit, and I don’t feel it’s necessary to pay for a monitoring service. You may not find that it’s worth your time, but remember, it’s absolutely free to give it a try.

It’s January! Time to start the year off right!

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It’s time to order your credit report
This month use Experian

Hello everyone! This is your quarterly reminder from me.

Order your free credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized source for a truly FREE annual credit report that’s yours by law. You have the right to know. Exercise your rights! Learn more.

When ordering online:

  1. Select your state, then click Request Report.
  2. Fill out your information, then click Continue.
  3. When it asks you to select a service, select Experian.

Not comfortable ordering online? There are three ways you can order your report:

It doesn’t matter how you get your report, the most important thing is that you do! Then…

  • Review it for accuracy!
  • Follow the instructions with the report to correct any errors.
  • And, always remember to keep copies for your records.

Do you want to know your credit score? Use CreditKarma.com. Credit Karma will give you a close approximation of your FICO score, and it’s free.

May you have a blessed and successful year!

Jill Russo Foster

P.S. You will receive another reminder in May and September, allowing you to stay up-to-date on your credit throughout the year.

My gift to you for the year 2012

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You’ve heard me say how important it is that you check your credit report. You’ve also heard me say that you can check your credit report for free – 3 times per year. That’s because each of the three major credit reporting agencies must give you access to their version of your report.

But, how many of you remember to order your credit report even once, let alone 3 times?

I promise to help you remember. As my blog subscriber, you will receive three reminders  this year: one in January, one in May and one in September. Each reminder will tell you exactly how to order your report and which agency to choose. Easy!

Do you want to share this gift with your friends? Simply share this post and allow them to sign up for free credit report reminders, too! There are many ways to subscribe:

Jill Russo Foster