Coffee Connections: Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Credit Score

Since the financial collapse of 2009 and other conditions that affect the financial industry, it is important to establish and maintain a good credit score/report. The following is a list of companies or agencies that can review your credit report:

• Lenders
• Insurance companies
• Landlords seeking a credit check for renters
• Credit card companies
• Companies where you are seeking employment (only with your written consent)
• Organizations considering your application for a government license or benefit (if the agency is required to consider your financial status)
• State or local child support enforcement agencies
• Government agencies (usually can only look at your name, address, former addresses, and current and former employers)
• Other organizations you’ve initiated business with

Topics include:

1. How to obtain/interpret your credit report
2. Legally correct your credit score without paying
3. Tips to avoid identity theft, credit fraud & other popular scams
4. How inquiries affect your score
5. How long bankruptcies and collections stay on your report
6. How is your score calculated
7. The effects of debt to income

Instructor: Virgil Conner – Kilgore College SBDC, Business Advisor