Bad Credit Help - Ontario, Canada?
I have a number of unpaid debts and write offs and I want to start attempting to pay them off, and settle some of the debts, so that I can begin the process of cleaning my credit history, getting a new credit card and building my credit history once again. The thing is though, I have a total of like 8000 dollars unpaid on my credit report, and some of those are active collection accounts, others are write offs and bad debts. All transactions are from 2002 onwards. So - my question is does anyone in Ontario know whats the best place to go for credit councelling...I probably need a go-between, someone who can deal with the collectors and try and help with the settlements and payment terms etc....if anyone can give me any suggestions on the way this whole process works and where I should go...then that would definately be a huge help...
Public Comments
- A lot of credit councelling places are scam artists, be careful. I would ask the Canadian version of the Better Business Bureau if they have any recommedations. Also ask banks who they work with and have good experiences with. Fixing credit is tough, but can be done. I'm speaking from experience. You can do it. Kudos on your goal. If you are religios, I would also recommend speaking to your ecclesiastical leader about anyone they might know of or recommend. I would even recommend speaking to a Bishop from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (even if you're not Mormon) just let him know that you're not interested in the church but I'm sure he would still help you even if you're not Mormon.
- 1st get copof your 3 most recent credit reports ( equifax, experian, and transunion) on their sites they offer advice everyone is given a free credit report each year from all 3 at freecreditreport.com 2. watch for scams 3. pay off lowest debt such as a bill at the hospital for under 100 bucks this will clear alot more than you think 4. DO NOT apply for credit anywhere if your credit is bad you will be denied but you will still have too many credit inqueries and points off of your score 5. call the creditors yourself why pay a debt consolidator for something you can do yourself 6. offer settlement or payment arrangements only what you can afford some creditors will take off late fees and over the limit fees if you pay the principal do not reward paying off debt by going shopping or racking up more debt. look on your credit report after so long some creditors or collections dissappear from your credit also look for mistakes on your credit report if you see an inacurate creditor or balance dispute it this may take awhile but you will get a letter showing all follow ups on disputes alot of times a dispute can remove a creditor if they have sold your account to someone else or went out of business Make absolute sure you keep all receipts even if it is $5.00 you mailed them trust me sometimes creditors are reported more tan once try mailing $5 to each creditor it sounds like noting but it shows you are trying and last but not least keep your head up you will get good credit again but it takes work there are sometimes free local help to help you look under credit in the yellow pages but always start with your credit report :-)
