How do you get these histories? There’s a single federal site where you apply: www.annualcreditreport.com. There’s also a toll-free number: 877-322-8228. If you approach the three major credit bureaus directly, i.e. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, there’s a chance you will be asked to pay. If you go to any other website, you will almost certainly be asked to pay to get your “free” reports. Use the federal site only to avoid problems. When you log on to the site, be prepared with your name, address, date of birth and social security number. You will also be asked for some other information only you would be expected to know, e.g. the amount you paid as the last mortgage instalment. Assuming you pass through the security system without problem, you will be give immediate access to your report. If you use the telephone system or write them a letter, expect to wait two more more weeks for a hard copy of the report to arrive.

If you find a mistake on your free credit report that affects your credit scores, you should act immediately. Write to the credit bureau and the reporting agency that filed the incorrect information using certified mail with return receipt requested, and explain in detail why the credit report is wrong. Send copies of the relevant bills, statements, cancelled checks and receipts – hopefully, you are well organized and have been keeping all these original documents and records in a safe place. If you are writing to report a case of identity theft with someone opening an account or falsely using your credit cards, make a police report and send a copy of that report to the bank, credit card company, etc. The bureau and reporting agency have thirty days to reply with the results of their investigation. If they agree with you, the information will be corrected. If they disagree, they must given reasons. In this way, you can ensure that all the information about you is both complete and accurate. With your records accurate, your FICO scores should improve.

The recession is more than a year old and anyone who has not changed their ways is either seriously rich or deluding themselves. Looking around the bookstores still in business, there are new books and magazines offering helpful advice on how to cope. There are radio and television programs with experts talking good common sense solutions. There’s even the internet with useful articles like this. People no longer have ignorance as an excuse. Those Chicken Littles whose problems are self-inflicted will get no sympathy when the sky falls on them. But those who have used the internet or professional counselors to get guidance on how to manage and consolidate their debts are far more likely to get a constructive response from lenders. So where should you start? There are a wide range of Consumer Credit Counseling Services, legal aid and other non-profit groups prepared to offer advice and help to reduce indebtedness. But a word of warning – many dishonest people have been setting up in the counseling business to take the fees and leave the “suckers” deeper in debt. Before you approach anyone for help and advice, check them out. Make sure they are members of a reputable regulatory body before you sign up for their programs.

Debt management is difficult, but everything is possible if take a responsible and disciplined approach. At this point, you run into a distinction between personal management and the renegotiation of liabilities with your creditors. There are many things you can do to save money on your household budgets and make it easier to keep your payments up-to-date. But there comes a point when you cannot manage your own way out of the problem. A professional counselor will always look at the big picture, and aim to consolidate and simplify all your liabilities into a package that’s easier to manage. But one basic rule always applies. Unless you are literally penniless, always pay something to your creditors. Even if you have a counselor trying to negotiate a solution, pay something. It shows good will and a responsible attitude to your liabilities. That, more than anything else, is going to get you through to a successful conclusion and is our debt settlement tip of the day.