HEALTHY CREDIT SEMINARS
Northwest Indiana Schedule
The Healthy Credit seminars are presented to the public free of charge in an effort to educate consumers on how to access, interpret and correct their credit reports. Because of the recent changes in the lending guidelines of the mortgage lenders, having a good credit score could mean the difference between getting approved and being denied a loan to purchase or refinance a home.
A 2004 PIRG report indicated that 79% of ALL credit reports contain errors of some type and that 25% are serious enough that the borrower is denied the loan. Do you know what’s on your report?
Identity Theft is the nation’s fastest growing white-collar crime and affected 8.4 million consumers in 2007 alone. The average amount of fraud was $5,720 PER VICTIM and totaled 49.3 BILLION dollars. This hot topic will also be covered!
The seminars have been very well received and the speakers have been invited back to continue to lecture on a regular basis, as well as appearing on “Your Credit, Your Life, Your Home” on WIMS Radio AM 1420.
The Healthy Credit seminars are brought to you in cooperation with our preferred real estate agent partners and sponsored by Mortgage Professional Group, Inc. of Valparaiso. Please note that without them, we would be unable to present this program at no charge to the attendees. Unlike many seminars, neither we nor our partners or sponsors will be asking you to purchase any products or services.
Schedule of Events:
None Scheduled Yet Due To Winter Break
These seminars, which usually last between 45 and 60 minutes, are designed to help you understand your credit report and manage it after life changing events such as divorce, bankruptcy, illness / injury and identity theft. It will also cover how to keep the credit reporting agencies from selling the consumer’s information to other marketers who may not have their best interest in mind.
Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to bring a copy of their current credit profile to the program. This may be downloaded once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com . Attendees will be given important information to take home to share with family and friends. A question and answer period will follow.
We can provide this program to your church, school, civic group or other organization free of charge. If you are interested or would like more information, please call 219-695-0369 or email us here .
Credit Management Resources
If you would like more information on managing credit, you may access our free reports under the “Resources” section on the left of your screen.
You may also find valuable information on the following sites:
www.annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228 to get a FREE copy of your credit reports. This is the official site that is monitored by the government. You are NOT required to sign up for credit monitoring to get a free report every 12 months.
www.optoutprescreen.com or call 888-567-8688 to opt-out of firm offers of credit and insurance. This is one way to help prevent unsolicited offers of credit and possibly decrease your chances of identity theft.
Federal Trade Commission The official government site to educate consumers about the laws and regulations of their financial transactions. Go here to file a complaint if you have become a victim of identity theft or to learn your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Indiana’s Credit Freeze Law This link to the Indiana Attorney General’s website explains the program. Click here to download sample forms to send in to freeze your credit file.
The 3 Credit Reporting Agencies have websites that contain information related to your credit and ID Theft, as well as other information such as how to dispute items and government regulations. The sites are as follows:
Experian …………… Equifax …………… Trans Union
What They’re Saying About Us
(What I liked best was) all the extra info I didn’t already know – things to avoid & things to do with my credit. M.S. Crown Point, IN
It was very helpful and informative after my divorce. D.L. Valparaiso, IN
Job well done – very helpful and learned a lot. C.M. Valparaiso, IN
Scott, I very much enjoyed your seminar and I learned a LOT! I love learning new things….. you have a terrific background in finance and are very, very knowledgeable of your field. M.M. Valparaiso, IN
You are very knowledgeable and easy going. I feel comfortable asking questions. S.G. Lake Station, IN
Thanks Scott, it was great. J.S. Merrillville, IN