MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: Dun & Bradstreet

  • Consumer debt struggles and solutions

    A recent survey revealed that about one in three Australians said they will struggle to repay their debts in the coming September quarter. If this many Australians have money problems, then more should be done to educate people on our credit reporting laws, and what can happen to people’s finances, should they end up with a bad credit rating.

    When things get bad enough that repayments are getting missed, people need to be aware of the cycle they may be getting themselves into.

    Black marks on people’s credit reports remain there for 5 – 7 years, and can severely hinder their chances of getting further credit, from mortgages to mobile phone plans.

    If people are struggling to make repayments, they need to take a pro-active approach to managing the solutions.

    It is human nature for people to not want to admit their failings, but it is important for people to realise that the choices they make with their debts today can affect them as far as seven years down the track.

    All forms of credit, from mortgage repayments through to our utilities bills have the potential to affect our credit rating should they get too far in arrears.

    Debt survey

    Credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet released its bi-annual debt survey recently. The survey revealed that almost one third of Australians will struggle to meet their credit commitments in the September quarter. It also revealed that 37 percent intend to use their credit card to purchase something they could otherwise not afford. Twenty-one percent say their household debt will increase over the next three months, and almost half say an interest rate rise in the September quarter would negatively affect their household’s finances.

    “…the reliance on credit for household purchases in spite of apprehension about their ability to meet these commitments is worrying, as an issue that can affect their future credit rating and ability to access credit – often when they need it the most,” Dun & Bradstreet’s CEO Christine Christian says.

    Credit reporting explained

    Current legislation allows creditors of any form to list a default on a person’s credit file when the repayment is more than 60 days late. These default listings remain on a person’s credit file for 5 years. In the current market, most major banks are currently rejecting loan applications because of defaults, and many even for excess credit enquiries. So anyone who wishes to obtain credit should be ensuring they sort out any debt problems before they escalate to default stage.

    Under current legislation, people can see what is reported about them on their credit file, by obtaining a free copy of their credit report every 12 months. They may contact one or more of the credit reporting agencies, Veda Advantage, Dun & Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Services and it will be posted to them within 10 working days.

    If people find defaults, writs or Judgments which they believe are unjust, contain errors or just simply shouldn’t be there, they do have the right to have them removed. Credit rating repairers can assist with this removal by negotiating directly with creditors on a person’s behalf.

    Solutions for debt to avoid a bad credit rating

    1. Contact creditors immediately. People may be able to negotiate either a short-term or long-term change to their repayments. Many creditors, especially the major banks have options available to struggling families to help them keep up with repayments. Many appreciate people keeping in touch and working out solutions everyone can live with.

    2. Put the spotlight on spending. Paul Clitheroe advises those who can’t make repayments to keep a spending diary for a week or two.

    “This will show you exactly where your money is going, and chances are you’ll find plenty of little-but-often outlays that quickly add up to much larger amounts. Cut back on these and you’ll free up money for repayments,” Mr Clitheroe says.

    3. Consider the difference between wants and needs. People
    should consider how many of the items they regularly spend money on are necessities, and how many can be sacrificed for the short term in order to ensure their long term financial future is safe? People could choose to live without life’s little perks – like the Foxtel account, magazine subscriptions, or eating out while they get on top of their credit issues.

    4. Downgrade if necessary. For people in serious financial trouble, it may be a matter of swallowing their pride and downsizing or selling the family home, or moving to cheaper rental accommodation until they get back on top of things.

    For people who have defaults, writs and Judgments which are unfairly disadvantaging them, and they feel they should not be there – they can contact MyCRA Credit Repairs. We permanently remove black marks from credit files.

    Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • Privacy Commissioner releases findings on Telstra mailout error

    Whenever the public are in danger of having their credit file tarnished due to data breaches which can result in identity theft, it is important to warn them.

    Recent news from the OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on a botched Telstra mailout has come forth.

    The OAIC today released the findings of its investigation into the Telstra
    mailing error     which resulted in around 60,000 Telstra customers’ personal information being sent to other customers.

    Australian Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim opened an investigation after Telstra notified him of the incident in October 2010.

    Mr Pilgrim found that while Telstra did breach the Privacy Act in terms of disclosing personal information of its customers to a third party, it was not due to any failings of the security of its system, but simple human error.

    The investigation revealed that Telstra had a range of security measures in place to protect customer personal information involved in mail campaigns. These measures include privacy obligations in agreements with mailing houses, privacy impact assessments at the outset of mail out initiatives, and procedures to ensure staff handle personal information appropriately during mail campaigns.

    “In this instance, taking into account the range of measures Telstra has in place for mail campaigns, I consider that the one-off human error that occurred does not mean that Telstra failed to comply with its obligation to take reasonable steps to protect the personal information of its customers. Therefore, I consider that Telstra has not breached this particular aspect of the Privacy Act,” the Privacy Commissioner said.

    The Commissioner also noted Telstra’s fast notification of the data breach.

    Mr Pilgrim did say, however, that if an individual complaint came to them following this matter, the complaint would be considered on its own merits.

    “Incidents such as this one highlight how important it is for all organisations to take steps to protect their customers’ privacy. If such an incident does occur, it is best practice to notify the OAIC as soon as possible and take action immediately to prevent further breaches,” he said.

    This incident brings to light a section of Australian privacy law that needs to improve. Luckily, in this incident, Telstra did the right thing and notified its customers and the Privacy Commissioner of the data breach immediately.

    But when the Sony PlayStation data breach occurred in May, Sony did not notify its customers of the data breach immediately, they took about a week. In that time its customers were vulnerable to identity theft, and there was nothing our Government could do as recourse. Our data breach notification laws currently do not require companies to notify its customers immediately following a data breach.

    The Australian Law Reform Commission has made a recommendation for amendments of this law to occur, and the Government is currently considering it.

    The dangers of data breaches

    If the wrong person gets hold of someone’s personal details, they can potentially build a profile of identity documentation that can give them the opportunity to commit fraud.

    Fraudsters who have access to small pieces of specific information on someone can then build on that profile, eventually requesting ‘replacement’ copies of drivers licences and can then access bank accounts, get credit cards, apply for loans, phone accounts, and in some cases, buy property in someone else’s name. There are some identity theft cases where fraudsters have even mortgaged or sold the family home of their identity theft victims.

    Once someone’s identity has been stolen, their credit file is generally tarnished. This credit file blemish will unfortunately haunt the victim for 5 years while the listing/s remain on their credit file. Credit file blemishes generally deny someone access to most credit for the term of the default.

    It is important for everyone to know they can order a free copy of their credit file report every year from one or more of the credit reporting agencies in Australia, Veda Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Services.

    Contact MyCRA Credit Repairs for help with repairing credit files following identity theft.

    Image: Luigi Diamanti/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  • What We Can Do to Prevent Identity Theft

    So far this year we have posted about many issues that have arisen concerning the security of our personal information in this age of technology, and the possible dangers identity theft poses for our credit file.

    It is no secret that it is essential to take steps to keep our personal information safe. Why? Because regardless of whether our card/s will be reimbursed should we become victims of fraud, there is still the very real ramification of having our credit file tarnished by any identity fraud – and the inability to obtain credit for up to 5 years can be a huge financial loss.

    Events which have transpired recently have made us all feel quite nervous about who has the potential to use our personal details for purposes of stealing our identity.

    Issues such as the Sony PlayStation data breach, the attacks on Google’s U.S. Gmail account holders and the announcement of almost daily attempts at cyber-attack on Australia’s Foregin Affairs Department (just to name a few) have made us realise that identity fraud is indeed a reality for people in this country.

    A positive to come from these issues is that our Government has decided to step in to give advice via a white paper as to how businesses, government and individuals can make some changes to the internet in the interests of the security of its users.

    What do we do in the meantime? What steps can we take NOW to reduce our chances of becoming victims?

    Recently we read some really great articles from ‘Savings Guide.com.au’ on some practical ways we can all stay safe.

    In their article – “Shopping Online, How to Do it Safely” by Francesca Sidoti, she provides some great tips. We like this one:

    “Choose Your Location. Instinct is a funny thing. You have no hard reasons for why something feels off, it just does. And in this scenario, you should let it be your guide. Just as you wouldn’t hand over money to someone who looks dodgy, you should[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][n’t] enter your details in a site that doesn’t feel right. If something seems amiss, do some research. Google the site, or call the contact number. Be wary as well of clicking on ads. Though they’re usually hosted by legitimate companies, it’s worthwhile keeping a critical eye on everything you are entering personal information into.”

    Francesca also published an article “How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft,” which provides help with how to use your credit card safely. The two tips below are excellent to remember:

    “Don’t’ give your credit card details out over the phone or email. Unless you’ve initiated the conversation. No legit company would ask for those details over the phone/email.

    Don’t sign blank credit card receipts How often do you actually check the receipt you sign? If your answer is ‘not often’, you need to rethink your approach. Blank sections of a receipt can be used to add extra charges, which you will pay for because your signature will be down the bottom.”

    We have compiled a quick list of some other ways we can prevent what has become the fastest growing crime in Australia:

    1. Keep virus software up to date on our computers. Install automatic updates and perform regular virus scans.
    2. Keep our privacy settings secure on all social networking sites.
    3. Keep our passwords and PIN numbers secure. Don’t carry PIN numbers with our credit/debit cards, change passwords regularly and use a variety of passwords for different purposes.
    4. Check all our credit card and bank statements each time they come in.
    5. Cross-shred all personally identifiable information which we no longer need, rather than throwing it straight in the bin.
    6. Buy a safe for our personal information at home.
    7. Do not give any personal information or credit card details to anyone via phone or email unless we are sure the site is secure, and or we can verify the company details.
    8. Be aware of who gets our personal information and for what purposes. What can these people do with the information they are gathering? For instance, is it really necessary for the site we are registering on to have our date of birth?
    9. Keep up to date with the latest scams by subscribing to the government’s ‘SCAM watch’ website.
    10. Check our credit file for free every 12 months. By requesting a copy of our credit file from one or more of the major credit reporting agencies,Veda Advantage, Dun & Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service (TASCOL) we can be aware of any discrepancies which may need to be investigated. Often it is only through a credit check which comes back with defaults on our credit file do we realise we have been victims of identity theft.
    11. Report any incident of identity theft, no matter how small, or even if we have been reimbursed for the damage – to the Police. The more of us who report identity theft, the more effective will be our Government and Police response to it in the future.

    For those of us who are already identity theft victims, it can be difficult to navigate the current credit reporting system to have the offending defaults removed from our credit file.

    MyCRA Credit Repairs can completely remove defaults from credit files that have errors, are unjust or just shouldn’t be there. Contact www.mycra.com.au for more help.

    <p><ahref=”http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=584″>Image: Chris Sharp / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>

     

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  • Yes, You Can Get A Free Copy Of Your Credit File In Australia

    There has been a lot of chatter recently about Identity Theft, Online Scams and  such and one of the best ways to be on the look out for these issues is to grab hold of your free credit report every 12 months..

    There are 3 main credit reporting agencies in Australia  and the largest is Veda Advantage.Payment past due  (formerly known as Baycorp Advantage and before that CRAA)

    The three credit reporting agencies are:

    Each one of these can provide you with a FREE copy of your credit file within 10 working days upon request.

    MyCRA Credit Repair suggests you put a reminder into your diary on your birthday every year to jump online and grab a copy of your credit file.

    Then check to confirm you recognise each and every entry on on your credit report.  If you do find anything that you don’t immediately recognise, like an application for credit that you don’t recall or a defalt for a debt you know nothing about:

    1. Contact the creditor immediately
    2. find out what it was for
      • If you still have no idea, Contact the Federal Police Immediately !
    3. If you have defaults that are incorrect, unfair or just shouldn’t be there,
      • Dispute them with your creditor and ask that they be removed immediately..

    If you have trouble or in a hurry, you may choose to engage a professional Credit Repair Firm like MyCRA Credit Rating Repair

    For more information on getting a free copy of your credit file, please go to http://www.mycra.com.au/credit-file-request/

  • What thieves can do with your mail

    Media Release: Australians are warned to keep their letterbox locked and all personal information at home secure if they want to reduce their risk of identity fraud.

    A national credit repairer says mail is a prime target for fraudsters, who can gather enough personal information from it to steal someone’s identity and ruin them financially for up to seven years.

    “Crooks are working in gangs, grabbing mail from letterboxes and even rifling through rubbish bins to find our personal details. The information there can often be enough to request ‘replacement’ copies of identification. Once this is accomplished, they can open bank accounts, obtain credit and even mortgage properties in our name” says Graham Doessel, Director of MyCRA Credit Repairs.

    Mr Doessel says identity theft can often hit twice, because if the fraud is not detected early, it can amount to defaults on people’s credit files which are difficult to just wipe away.

    “First we have to prove we didn’t create the defaults – and that can sometimes be really tricky. But until the matter is resolved, we can be black listed from even simple things like getting an internet connection or mobile phone plan in our name,” he says.

    This comes as NSW Police warn residents of inner-Sydney suburbs to lock their letterboxes after up to 1000 mail items were stolen from letterboxes in the area yesterday.

    Detective Inspector Leanne McCusker says residents need to secure their letterbox the way they would a house.

    “You need to be securing your house,” she said yesterday. “Your letterbox contains a lot of valuable property and your identification.” She also advises residents to know their neighbours and call police if they see someone not from the area acting suspiciously.

    The Australian Crime Commission now sites identity theft as the fastest growing crime in the country, costing upwards of $1 billion to the Australian economy, and possibly affecting at least 500,000 Australians per year.

    Mr Doessel recommends people put a few simple preventative measures in place to reduce their risk of identity fraud at home. “We should install a lock on our mailbox. We should buy a shredder and cross-shred every piece of personally identifiable information we no longer require before throwing it in the bin. We should also keep our personal documents locked away at home,” he says.

    “As far as online security goes, we should keep our virus protection up to date on our computers; change passwords frequently; only use secure sites for credit card transactions and be extremely conservative with our social-networking settings,” he says. He also recommends people obtain a report on their credit file regularly.

    “Often credit file discrepancies can be the first sign we have been victims of identity theft. We should obtain a free credit report to ensure that everything on our file is as it should be. That way if there are any problems, they can be rectified while there is no urgency” he says.

    Under current legislation, Australians can check their credit file for free every 12 months from the major credit reporting agencies Veda Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service. A report is sent to the owner of the credit file within 10 working days. For those who are vulnerable to identity theft, they can pay extra with Veda Advantage to have their file on an ‘alert’ system, which tracks any changes to their credit file that may occur within a 12 month period.

    He says identity theft victims should contact the Police immediately, although he says many of his clients don’t, due to embarrassment or because the fraud may not be a significant amount. “Our government may not have accurate statistics on identity theft numbers, just purely because we don’t report it often enough. But reporting to Police may be an essential step when trying to clear defaults if our credit file has been affected,” he says. He says if people find their credit file has been tarnished, a credit repairer can usually give people the best chance of complete default removal following identity theft.

    “Unfortunately in most cases, attempting to remove the default ourselves can do more damage than good by not understanding the process fully, almost like trying to defend ourselves in court. We might do OK, but we only get one shot at it and if we don’t get it 100% right, we will be unsuccessful. There is no appeal in most cases” he says. “Using a credit repairer usually gives people the best chance of getting defaults, writs and Judgments completely removed from their file if they contain errors, are unjust or just shouldn’t be there. Complete removal gives people back their right to obtain credit in the future,” he says. /ENDS

    Read more

    ACCC IDENTITY THEFT REPORT: Click Here

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  • Home buyers warned dreams could be shattered by missing bill payments

    AUSTRALIANS applying for home loans are finding simple overdue accounts are coming back to haunt them, with some even being refused finance, according to a national credit rating repairer.

    My CRA’s Director, GRAHAM DOESSEL says a credit rating check can reveal defaults many are not aware of such as small overdue phone bills, electricity bills and rates which may or may not have been settled.

    “It would surprise you how many people there are out there with needless defaults on their credit rating due to unpaid accounts of more than 60 days. It may also surprise you to know these ‘defaults’ can be enough for an automatic decline with some lenders. At the moment, some lenders are even rejecting loans for excess credit enquiries such as two enquiries in 30 days or six within the year” Mr DOESSEL says.

    Research from September 2010 conducted by DUN & BRADSTREET revealed one third of debt referred for collection in the June quarter was amounts under $200.

    “These findings demonstrate that significant portions of Australians are either unaware of the consequences of not paying their bills on time or they are facing quite significant stress and cannot afford to pay these accounts” Dun & Bradstreet’s CEO, CHRISTINE CHRISTIAN says.

    The report also states that the average value of referred debts stands at the highest level in four and a half years.

    Mr DOESSEL says it is extremely important for potential buyers to know there is more to preparing for a mortgage than simply saving the deposit.

    “Your credit rating is as important as your savings record in calculating loan eligibility and borrowing capacity. Having a clear credit record allows you to shop for the best interest rate because you have the financial freedom to choose any bank.

    “At the moment, blemishes on your credit record are viewed unfavourably by most lenders – and defaults remain on your file for 5 years. Never has there been a more important time to understand your credit rating and to keep it looking as healthy as possible” he says.

    MY CRA outlines how home buyers can establish a good track record of credit:

    MAKE REPAYMENTS ON TIME: Repay any bills received by the due date. Bills that are not paid within 60 days may be referred for collection and noted as a default. If people are having trouble paying on time, they should contact the creditor as they may be able to work out a payment plan rather than the creditor listing the non payment as a default.

    USE CREDIT: Having no credit history means there is nothing to calculate and the risk appears high to lenders. Start by borrowing something small. Repaying mobile phone plans, internet accounts, or store credit on time will appeal to anyone checking people’s credit rating.

    HAVE A STABLE ADDRESS: Lenders like to see stability. Furthermore, defaults are easy to come by when bills are sent to the wrong address. If you do travel frequently, consider a trusted family member’s address for all bills.

    APPLY FOR CREDIT WITH CARE: People should only apply for credit if they feel they have a very good chance of being approved. Declined credit applications on a person’s file can hinder their chances of obtaining a home loan. Likewise, people should only apply for credit they have full intention of pursuing. Every application is noted on file, not whether it is approved or not. If a person goes shopping for the right credit and applies everywhere – the lender may consider this person to have been refused credit and therefore a bad risk.

    CHECK CREDIT FILE REGULARLY: People should check their file well before they need to apply for a home loan. That way if there are any problems they can sort it out while there is no urgency, and save themselves embarrassment and disappointment from having their finance declined. The major credit reporting agencies are bound by law to send people a copy of their credit report for free within 10 working days of application.  Or for a fee, Veda Advantage has a service called ‘Veda Alert’ which provides a copy of the credit file, and the person goes on alert to receive notification of any changes to the credit file within 12 months.

    CLEAR YOUR DEFAULTS: If there are defaults, don’t put up with them for 5 years. People can check with a credit file repairer if they can be removed.

    “If people do check their credit file and find defaults, writs or judgements which have been added without a person’s knowledge, have been added incorrectly, unjustly or unfairly there is a good possibility they can be removed by a credit repairer” he says.

    Demand for third party ‘credit repairers’ has grown due to what Mr DOESSEL says is a system fraught with difficulties.

    “Many of our clients have attempted to deal with creditors themselves and have come up against problems and defaults have not been cleared.  Most times the creditor says defaults are never removed and remain on file for 5 years.  The best they can do is mark the listing as paid if the account has been settled.  This may not be sufficient to ensure credit is obtained with some lenders.”

    “Most clients don’t have the time or patience for negotiation with creditors. On cases we take on, MY CRA has had a 91.7% success rate of actually removing the default” he says.

    MY CRA has information for consumers on their website from how to go about obtaining a copy of their credit file, to tips on spotting identity fraud.  For more information go to www.mycra.com.au.

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    Links:

    Link to Dun & Bradstreet article:

    http://dnb.com.au/Header/News/Consumer_debt_referrals_rise_to_record_levels/indexdl_6681.aspx

     

    Please contact:

    Graham Doessel       http://www.mycra.com.au/

    Ph: 07 3124 7133

    246 Stafford Road, STAFFORD QLD.

     

    About MyCRA Pty Ltd

    MyCRA Pty Ltd is 100% Australian owned and operated and we are based in Stafford, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Qld.

    My CRA was developed for the sole purpose of giving clients access and ability to work with their Credit File.   This is in order to give them the best chance of getting approval, getting a lower interest rate or just to reduce the upfront fees that can be associated with obtaining credit. My CRA are able to help you get a copy of your credit file and from that determine how we can help repair a credit file.

    We have more than 15 years combined experience in working with and helping clients with their credit files. We are the fastest known credit rating repair agency in Australia. We can often remove judgements in as little as 3 days.

    As Director I [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][GRAHAM DOESSEL] previously owned a very successful mortgage brokerage company “Mortgage Now” before establishing My CRA because I saw a great need in the industry for credit repair.

     

    Please Note: Our previous results of up to 91.7% have applied only to consumer applications and past results are no indication of future performance

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  • Plain English Credit – What you should know about taking on credit

    What you should know about taking on credit

    What is my credit rating?
    Your credit rating is a file on your credit history and is collated by the major credit reporting agencies if you have ever been credit-active.  Your credit rating is then checked by any financial institution or credit provider and is used to assess both the amount you are able to borrow and your ability to repay the loan.
    What does ‘credit active’ mean?
    Anyone that has borrowed money, or has established an account for services is credit active and will have a file in their name. This includes mobile phone plans, accounts with utility companies, rates accounts and of course loans of any kind.
    What is defined as a ‘bad’ credit rating?
    In broad terms, any credit defaults, court actions or writs, external administrations and bankruptcy are all recorded on your credit file and would be considered ‘bad’ credit history by most credit providers.
    In this current economic climate basic defaults and even too many credit enquiries or applications for credit may be considered to be tarnishes on your credit rating.
    How do I know if I have a bad credit rating?
    If you are unsure what is on your credit file, it would be worth taking the time to find out.
    There are three major credit reporting agencies in Australia: Veda Advantage – which holds the credit file of over 14 million Australians, Dun and Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service.
    You can write to or email one of these agencies and request a copy of your file.  If you are not in a hurry there is no charge to you but it will take 10 working days from application to receive this information.
    What is not realised by many people is how easy it is to have a default slapped on their file.  If a bill is more than 60 days late (including rates, power, mobile phones) then a provider has the right to notify you of their intentions to record this default on your credit file. Even if this bill is paid and noted on your file, this default usually remains on your record for 5 years.
    I have found defaults on my credit rating, what are the consequences of this?
    If you discover you have a bad credit file, you will find it very difficult to obtain credit in the future. Generally this problem will keep occurring for the 5 years the default is on your file. This will probably prevent you from obtaining a home loan with most lenders and possibly lead to credit refusal of many kinds from cards to phone plans.
    What can I do to fix my credit rating?
    Once you have obtained a report there are three things to consider:
    1. Check the accuracy of the report. If there are errors, be aware you do have the right to have errors rectified.  Likewise, if there are numerous strange defaults and or applications for credit that you don’t recognise – you would need to immediately investigate these and notify Police in case of identity fraud.
    2. Check you were informed of any intention to list. Current legislation requires you to have been informed in writing of any intention from creditors to list you as a defaulting on credit.
    3. Check the fairness of the listing. Only serious credit infringements should be recorded, or overdue bills in which 60 days have elapsed since payment was due.
    How does My CRA work to repair my credit rating?
    In many cases where people have attempted to remove the default themselves, they have come across difficulties and defaults have not been cleared. Most times the creditor will explain to the client that defaults DONT EVER get removed. The best they can do is mark the listing as paid (if it’s been paid).  This may not be sufficient to ensure credit is obtained with some lenders.
    If you have a default, writ or judgement that has errors or just shouldn’t be there – there is a good chance that My CRA can actually remove it – meaning your financial future is looking a whole lot brighter.
    My CRA works with creditors to negotiate on your behalf and work for your best outcome based on the creditor’s compliancy with the current legislation. We will also look at any other extenuating circumstances to determine if there is an avenue we can investigate which results in having the listing removed.
    We have had up to a 91.7% success rate with cases we take on.   Many credit ratings are cleared within or around 21 working days though some do take longer depending on the difficulty of the case.
    Should I try to cut out all credit from now on?
    Credit is not all bad.  In fact, not having ever taken out credit can harm your chances of obtaining a loan just as much as having a bad credit rating.
    However, we do advise you to be cautious with credit. Start small, for instance a mobile phone plan or store credit card. Make all repayments on time and work methodically to build up a solid credit history.
    What can I do to maintain a good credit rating?
    1. Make all payments on time. This is the easiest way to ensure there are no discrepancies or defaults on your credit file.
    If you are unable to make a payment on time, contact the creditor. They may be able to set up a payment plan for you until you get back on your feet.
    2. Regularly obtain a copy of your credit file – once a year is recommended.
    3. Sign up for Veda Advantage’s Alert system. For approximately $50 per year they can send you a copy of your credit report and email you of any changes made to your credit file within the 12 months of membership.
    4. Keep credit card limits within a set budget. Don’t be tempted to accept the sky high limits some banks offer as it could encourage you to spend needlessly and blow out your budget.
    5. Be aware of excessive credit enquiries. If you are not sure about your credit health, get it checked before applying for new credit. Declined credit applications on a person’s file can hinder their chances of obtaining a loan. Some lenders are rejecting loans for as little as two enquiries in 30 days, or six enquiries within the year.
    6. Don’t shop around for credit. You should only apply for credit you have full intention of pursuing. Every application for credit will be noted on your file, but it does not say whether the application was approved or declined. It could look to creditors like you have been declined multiple times.
    Please Note: Our previous results of up to 91.7% have applied only to consumer applications and past results are no indication of future performance

  • What Young People Need To Know and Do

    As a young person, you should be extra vigilant with your credit file.
    Generation Y is responsible for more than one third of Australia’s total consumer credit defaults, despite making up 20% of the entire credit active population. Gen Y also has more personal loan and telecommunication defaults than any other generation, relative to population size. (Statistics from Veda Advantage)
    The system of credit we have is eager to suck people in but shows no remorse for people who fall off track. Young people have got to be wise and ensure they are making credit work for them, not letting it beat them.
    Your credit file lists personal details like name and address, but also any times you have applied for credit, any defaults (overdue accounts), court judgements, writs and bankruptcies.
    Many young people don’t realise how easy it can be to end up with a bad credit rating.
    Here are some of the typical situations where you can find yourself with a black mark against your name:
    Unpaid accounts: Any credit accounts or loans – including mobile phones and electricity that run over the due date are considered unpaid accounts. If they are not paid by the due date, creditors will make a note of it. If the account is not settled within 60 days from the due date, creditors can list this unpaid account or loan on your credit file as a default.
    Moving/traveling: If you move around a lot, the danger can be ending up with defaults on your credit rating due to unpaid accounts you were not aware of. Typically an account gets sent to your previous address and remains unpaid and then listed as such on your credit file. Consider a P.O. Box for all your mail or alternatively a parent’s address.
    Share accommodation: Any accounts which have your name on them, regardless of who intends to pay them are your responsibility – this includes rent. Sometimes people get caught out sharing houses, and someone leaves bills unpaid which then have dire consequences for your future.
    Identity fraud: Young people are increasingly victims of identity theft – and often it is someone they know. Typically, someone uses your identity to secure credit in their name – mobile phone accounts, credit cards, store credit – in some cases even mortgages. See our website for more information on identity theft and how it could affect you.
    To avoid the disappointment and embarrassment of finding out about your bad credit rating only after being declined credit, MY CRA recommend you check your credit file every 6-12 months to ensure there are no black marks against your name, just as you would check your bank statements or your super account.
    You can request a copy of your credit file for free from the major credit reporting agencies – Veda Advantage, Dun & Bradstreet or Tasmanian Collection Services (if you are Tasmanian). This will be provided within 10 working days – or for a fee it can be provided urgently.
    The consequences of a bad credit rating:
    A bad credit rating sticks. Many times you will find you are black listed from credit for a five year period following a default on your record. Even having too many credit enquiries or a default from a simple unpaid phone bill can be enough to be refused a home loan with most lenders in the current economic climate.
    Think of everything you want to achieve in the next five years. Maybe you would like to buy property, start a business, buy a motor vehicle, borrow money for travel, or even just take out a credit card. The chances of you being able to do this are greatly hindered with a bad credit rating.
    A clear and healthy credit file really is the ticket to financial freedom.
    How to repair your credit rating:
    If a credit file check does uncover some nasty surprises – it could be possible to repair the damage done by contacting MY CRA.
    If a default, writs or judgements has errors, has been entered unfairly, unjustly or just shouldn’t be there at all, we can help to remove the offending black mark and clear the file – something which you could find very difficult to do on your own.
    Most times a credit reporting agency will tell you that defaults are never removed, but can be marked as paid. You are then stuck with a dodgy credit rating for 5 years. But you shouldn’t have to put up with it, as it is possible to have many defaults removed.
    MY CRA has a 91.7% success rate in removing defaults on every case we take on. Usually the turn around is 21 working days though some can be longer depending on the difficulty of the case.
    But, prevention really is better, and cheaper than the cure.
    Credit reporting agency Veda Advantage suggests some further ways for young Australians to keep their credit rating clean:
    • Pay bills on time.
    • If people are having trouble paying, they should contact the organisation they owe money to, It may be possible to set up a payment extension system if people are honest about their situation. It is often the failure to respond to a bill or notify a business of your intention to pay that causes them to proceed to default stage.
    • Don’t take submitting credit applications lightly. Current legislation in place means organisations running credit checks can’t see whether or not an application was successful – all they can see are the number of applications.
    • Consider pre-paid mobile phone services.
    • Keep addresses and other details accurate and up to date to ensure credit providers are sending notices to the correct address.

  • Credit – Friend or Foe? 6 Tips To Help…

    It is no secret that in our modern age many people are struggling with credit.

    It has been reported that 40% of Australians had paid bills late in the past 12 months.  Electricity, mobile phone and home phone bills were the most likely to be paid late. (Research by Dun & Bradstreet May 2010).
    Currently we are seeing lots of people running into trouble with their credit rating and the trouble sticks for 5 -7 years
    You could be forgiven for thinking that credit is the enemy…
    But MY CRA believes we need to develop the ethos that credit is not something that is granted, it is something that is earned. At one point banks were practically throwing money at us. Now it’s tough and you have to prove yourself.
    There is absolutely nothing wrong with using credit provided you make it work for you. In fact, not having a credit rating in this day and age can be just as difficult as having a bad credit rating.
    Where people come unstuck with credit is getting to a stage where they are forever chasing their tail with repayments, falling behind. Or getting blasé about repayments and not realising the consequences.
    Credit can be wonderful provided you maximise it to suit you. If you can’t afford it now you can have the privilege of paying for it later – but understand that you will pay at some point.
    Payments on any bills which are more than 60 days late can be listed as a default on your credit file.
    This default can remain on your credit rating for 5 years, and can be very detrimental to your ability to gain further credit. Even if the account was later paid, the credit reporting agency generally does not remove the default but can mark it as paid.
    Even defaults that show up as being paid can be enough for a decline on home loan approval in the future. It is extremely important to keep a clear credit file because the repercussions will be felt for 5 years.
    There is no time like the present to start making credit work for you.
    Begin by checking your credit file – which you are entitled to do for free. Visit www.mycreditfile.com.au to be sent a copy of your credit report.
    If you find a default, writ or judgement on your credit file which you believe is there unfairly, unjustly or just shouldn’t be there at all – MY CRA may be able to remove it. We have had up to a a 91.7% success rate for cases we’ve take on. Most cases have a clearance rate of around 21 working days, with some tough cases taking a little longer. (more info on timeframes..)
    Then the key is to establish a good track record on your credit file.
    Here are some tips:

    DO USE CREDIT: Having no credit history means there is nothing to calculate and the risk appears high to lenders. Start by borrowing something small. Repaying mobile phone plans, internet accounts, or store credit on time will appeal to anyone checking your credit score. Smaller purchases paid correctly contribute to approval for larger loans such as homes, vehicles and businesses in the future because they show a person’s ability to repay.
    MAKE REPAYMENTS ON TIME: Repay any bills received by the due date. Repay over the minimum amount required on credit cards. If you are having trouble paying on time, contact the creditor as they may be able to work out a payment plan rather than listing the non payment as a default.
    HAVE A STABLE ADDRESS: Lenders like to see stability. Furthermore, defaults are easy to come by when bills are sent to the wrong address. If you do travel frequently, consider a trusted family member’s address for all bills.
    APPLY FOR CREDIT WITH CARE: You should only apply for credit if you feel you have a very good chance of being approved. Declined credit applications on a person’s file can hinder their chances of obtaining a loan. Likewise, you should only apply for credit you have full intention of pursuing. Every application is noted but does not stipulate whether it was approved or not. If you go shopping for credit and apply everywhere – it may look like you were declined everywhere.
    CHECK CREDIT FILE REGULARLY: You should check your file before you need to apply for credit. That way if there are any problems you can sort it out while there is no urgency, and save yourself embarrassment and disappointment from having credit declined.
    DON’T LEAVE DEFAULTS TOO LATE: If there are defaults, don’t put up with them for 5 years. People can check with a credit file repairer if they can be removed.
    Please Note: Our previous results of up to 91.7% have applied only to consumer applications and past results are no indication of future performance

  • First Telstra & Now Vodafone… What Privacy Protection Do We Really Have?

    Recently I blogged about Telstra allegedly breaching the privacy of some 200,000 clients by sending out letters to clients containing the details of other Telstra clients phone services and contact details.

    Now it seems, Vodafone have allegedly breached privacy also..

    According to a OAIC release, Vodafone have allegedly allowed personal and private Client information to have been available on a website which may have breached the Privacy Act.

    I am glad I am not a Vodafone client right now.

    MyCRA works everyday with clients that have defaults on their credit files and with hundreds of thousands of ‘reported’ cases of Identity Theft every year in Australia, this Vodafone issue is just what the organised gangs are after to steal more identities.

    The following excerpt is directly from the OAIC Media release:

    The Australian Privacy Commissioner, Mr Timothy Pilgrim, will investigate allegations that Vodafone has made the personal information of its customers available via an internet site.

    “Our Office takes all allegations of privacy breaches very seriously. All organisations should ensure the security of their customers’ personal information or risk breaching the Privacy Act and causing serious customer dissatisfaction and possible loss of business as a result,” Mr Pilgrim said.

    “The Office’s first step will be to determine whether Vodafone’s activities constitute a breach of the Privacy Act. I am concerned about the amount of personal information that may have been disclosed which could include sensitive information. For this reason I have opened an own motion investigation into the matter today. I have spoken with the CEO of Vodafone and he has assured me of Vodafone’s full cooperation,” Mr Pilgrim said.

    The Australian Privacy Commissioner also advised that if an individual believes their privacy has been interfered with they should first contact Vodafone and if they are not satisfied with their response they can make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

    If you have fallen victim to Identity Theft, firstly report it to the police and cancel any accounts that may have been affected.

    Once you have that area under control, Give MyCRA Credit Rating Repair a call and we can guide you through the process of removing any black marks that may have appeared on your credit file or credit rating as a result of the Identity theft Issue

    You can contact MyCRA Credit Rating Repair on 07 3124 7133 or www.MyCRA.com.au

  • How Do I Know What Is On My Credit File?

    You can check what is on your credit file in a number of ways.  If you have time on your hands, you can request a copy of your credit report for free from one of the credit reference agencies.  The request needs to be made in writing, and your credit report will take 10 working days from date of receipt to be sent to you.

    If you require it urgently, the credit reference agencies will charge you a fee of around $30, and generally your credit report will be despatched for you within one working day.  Below are links for credit reporting agencies:

    http://www.vedaadvantage.com/personal/mcf/my-credit-file.dot

    http://dnb.com.au/Credit_Reporting/Order_my_consumer_report/index.aspx

    http://www.tascol.com.au/reports.htm

    For more information on removing defaults or bad credit listings from your credit file, please have a look at www.MyCRA.com.au or call 07 3124 7133 for FREE info..