Apart from your personal health and welfare, you are likely also concerned about how current economic conditions may be affecting your financial situation, including your credit situation.
While we always encourage our members to be proactive in monitoring their credit and personal finances, we also want to share some tips on how to keep your credit in check.
- Pay at least your minimum bill payments on time. If you are having trouble keeping, be sure to contact your lenders for help. As the COVID-19 health crisis continues, many lenders have put policies in place to help customers just like you. Some lenders may even be able to temporarily lower your interest rate or payment amount.
- Deferred and/or forbearance account statuses will help to minimize the impact to your credit score as long as the account is in good standing.
- Check your credit regularly to ensure your credit reports are accurate. This will allow you to identify any fraudulent activity and take control to dispute it before it damages your credit. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each bureau annually at www.annualcreditreport.com and use the free credit monitoring app CreditKarma.com.
- Closely monitor your identity and watch for scams as they tend to be on the rise during crisis situations. You have the ability to place a freeze on your credit file via companies like Equifax and others, preventing anyone from accessing your personal information and applying for credit in your name. The freeze can end at any time and is a free service.
Still need help? Kansas City Credit Union can offer you advice and even create a debt management plan to help you repay your debts in a manageable way. We’re here to help you navigate these uncertain times. Contact us today.
