| Easy Steps to Improve Your Credit Score
(ARA) - Your credit score affects what type of interest rates you get on credit cards or for buying a house or car, as well as your approvals for employment or apartment rental. It's important that you understand not only what your score means, but how to repair it.Now you can get your credit score online.By viewing your credit activity on a regular basis you can remove any items that may not belong to you, which can negatively affect your score. If you have a low credit score due to detrimental items that need to be removed or fixed, there are steps you can take to remove them.GoFreeCredit.com teaches you how to manage your credit report and how to deal with credit bureaus and creditors. Credit monitoring, automatic notification of credit activity and a detailed personal analysis are all included in this online service.Many times people don't realize there is negative activity on their credit report.
Didn't pay heat bill? It'll go on your record
Socked with a record $106 million in customer delinquencies, the state's largest provider of natural gas is taking an unusual get-tough step: telling the nation's big credit-rating agencies who pays the bill on time and who does not.The change, which will begin in January for CenterPoint Energy's residential customers, could potentially push down the credit scores of those who owe. Other utilities across the nation grappling with unpaid bills are mulling similar measures.CenterPoint is announcing the changes in radio ads, customer newsletters and an insert in November gas bills. The utility said that the practice can help customers who pay on time -- young people and renters, for example -- who have little or no credit record to establish a reliable history. But some privacy advocates see it as part of a worrisome trend."It's true, this could start to build you a credit score," said Evan Hendricks, author of "Credit Scores & Credit Reports."But they are ignoring the other side: late payments with a thin history will have a devastating impact."The utility said that it's trying to get its statements moved up from the bottom of everyone's stack of bills.
Homeless Man Gets $25,000 For Tip On Suspected Deputy Killer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A homeless man will receive $25,000 for helping police capture the suspected killer of a Broward County Sheriff's deputy. Mark Spradley picked up Michael Mazza in Hollywood, drove him to a soup kitchen and then to a pawn shop. It was there that he recognized Mazza after seeing his mug shot on TV. The pawn shop owner, Scott Kelly, called 911. He'll receive $1,000 for his role. Deputy Paul Rein was taking Mazza to court for a hearing when authorities say Mazza overpowered Rein and killed him with his own gun in Pompano Beach. Mazza fled in Rein's van and later hitchhiked to Hollywood. Mazza was arrested at the pawn shop. Spradley previously received $2,500 from another police group. .
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