Wondering how you can improve your credit in ‘08?  Was refinancing your home loan, getting a better job or shopping for lower auto insurance premiums on your New Year’s Resolution list?  If so, then you definitely need to get to work!  One way to start is by insulating yourself from all the temptations that only serve to lower that most prized possession…your FICO score.

Now that Lenders, Insurance Carriers and Employers are regularly checking credit reports it’s important to get a handle on how you’re using it and who else might be checking up on you.  Your premiums, interest rate or even your next job offer may depend on your good clean credit report.  I recommend insulating yourself from pre-screened offers and all the direct phone & mail marketing organizations who are oh so good at tempting you to order this and sign up for that.  So where to begin?

First, get off those annoying telemarketer phone lists by registering your phone numbers at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1212.  You might also write the Direct Marketing Association, Telephone Preference Service, PO Box 9014, Farmington, NY  11735-9014 and request to be removed from all telephone marketing lists.  Visit their website to learn more at: http://www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php

*ALERT…9 days from today, all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.  To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 1-888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list.  It will only take a minute of your time and it blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

Second, let’s help out the environment by getting off those pesky direct mail house lists by registering with the Direct Marketing Association at:  https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS/mps_consumer_description.php or by writing to them directly at:  Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmington, NY  11735-9008.  The DMA does charge a $1 fee for processing.  Send a money order and keep your banking information private.

Third, let’s stop those preditorial pre-screen offers from hitting your credit report or from filling up your mailbox. First call 1-888-5-OPT-OUT that’s 1-888-567-8688 on the web at http://www.optoutprescreen.com/ and then follow-up by writing the credit bureaus at:

Equifax, Inc - Options, PO Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123 (800)556-4711

Experian Consumer Opt Out, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, TX 75013 (800)353-0809

Trans Union Corp. Name Removal Option, PO Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39288-7328 (800)680-7293

Lastly, be mindful of how many websites you are signed up for and whether you are agreeing to receive offers from affiliated sites and companies.  Give it 30-90 days and then enjoy the peace and quiet!

For more information and tips for your family finances visit me, Patrick Bonnett, at my website www.encorefinancialservices.com.

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