Tag Archives: cars

How to Spot ID Theft on Your Credit Report

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ID-10060832An important aspect of qualifying for an auto loan, even with troubled credit, is your credit score.  One of the best ways an applicant can prepare for the process is to go over their report and ensure that everything listed is correct.  Any number of things can work against you, which is why everyone always recommends a look over before making any major financial decisions.  Be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t match up with your own records.  If you see something wrong, get it taken care of.  Another thing to be aware of if you see something unfamiliar on your credit report is that you may be a victim of identity theft.

TransUnion has some tips to help make sure you can avoid being a victim.  There are certain signs in your report that may point to fraud.  Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for:

  • If you see any accounts, payment histories, addresses, inquires, or Social Security Numbers that you don’t recognize.
  • If an unknown creditor tells you they got an application with your name and Social Security on it that you were unaware of.
  • If you’re getting calls or letters informing you of being approved or denied for credit but never applied.
  • If you have gotten credit card, utility, or telephone statements that are in your name but you never applied.
  • If you notice that your mail, including credit card statements, is not always being delivered to you.
  • If there are credit card purchases you don’t recognize.
  • If a collection agency contacts you about collecting on an account you never opened.

These are all important signs that someone has gotten ahold of your information and are using it for malicious purposes.  Make sure you are aware so that you can work to protect yourself.  Don’t let a thief drag down your credit and along with it the ability to apply for credit.

If you’re in the market for a vehicle then contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and find out how we can help.  We love to say yes!  Browse our new and pre-owned inventory online.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more news and monthly offers.

5 Reasons to Know Your Credit Score

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ID-10058688One of the things that you’ll need to be aware of if you’re suffering from credit and looking to get yourself a car loan is your credit score.  It’s an incredibly important number that will be determining many aspects in your life, an auto loan being chief among those.  Experian has listed the 5 reasons why it’s so important to know this seemingly magic number.

First reason is that it is free.  Learn how to get a free credit report at least once every 12 months.

The next reason is that it’s important in rebuilding and maintaining good credit.  Knowing the number also means knowing what is on your report.  Nitpick it, scour it for any inconsistency.  You’ll want to make sure that everything listed is correct so that nothing is impacting your score in a negative way.

It’s important to know so you can manage personal finances.  In a way, it’s no different than a bank statement or a credit card bill.  You can keep track of where your credit is being spent at.  Know where your spending is going so you can construct a reasonable savings plan around what you find.

You can see if your identity has been stolen.  It’s a widespread crime these days.  Seems a day can’t go by without such a news story being mentioned somewhere.  Protect yourself and by knowing that score and reading your report, you can spy any fraudulent charges being made.  Make sure to stay ahead of any misuses.

Lastly, it’s the first step in correcting any information you see as inaccurate.  Like I mentioned earlier, identifying any misreporting so you can request the information to be removed is how you can improve your credit.  Find out how to submit a dispute and watch how it can really make a positive change on your report.

So much in life is governed by that number.  That’s why I cannot stress enough the importance of making sure you are aware of what is on your report.  When you apply to get a car loan, it can make all the difference.

Stop by Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge where we love to say yes.  We are looking to help place you in the car you need.  Contact us and see how we can work with you today.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to see all the specials and offerings we have at the dealership.

Tips to Improve Your Car Buying Experience

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Have you been holding out on getting that car you’ve been needing? A large number of drivers have been afraid of going into the dealership due to the recession. They’ve been trying to drive every single mile out of their current vehicle wanting to avoid purchasing a new vehicle because of money and poor credit. For many of those people, that wait can’t go any longer. There’s just no more life left in the old ride. It might be time, but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of what your credit score may lead to. We have some helpful tips to help you get the best deal possible.

Have a poor credit score? Time to give it a boost. The higher your score, the lower the interest you can expect. That means you need to take the time to review your score. Make sure that having an inquiry on your report won’t bring it down even more. It may take you sometime to get the undesirable material taken from your report, but it’s well worth the time. Having your score show improvement can make a great difference in what your rate is.

Another method that leads to a much better rate is to increase your down payment. Having more money right up front shows that you’re less of a liability. In case you’re wondering, the industry standard for a down payment is 20 percent of the purchase price. An example is if you’re purchasing a vehicle for $25,000, then the down payment will be $5,000. The more you’re willing to put down at the time of purchase will be beneficial when you need leverage to negotiate for a lower car loan rate.

What about if you’ve done all the homework prior to going in and just can’t find the finances for a new car? You may want to look into leasing a vehicle. Leasing means that you’re not buying the car. That means your rates are more likely going to be lower than if you bought. Another plus of going the route of leasing is that contracts usually only last for 2 to 3 years. When the term is finished, you can go into the dealership and lease a newer vehicle.

Any and all of these tips can lead to a much better buying experience. Make sure that you contact us here at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can view our new and pre-owned inventory online. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more tips and deals.