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The Walt Disney World resort in Florida has four theme parks, two water parks, a handful of hotels and a golf course. A little-known secret also worth visiting is Disney’s BoardWalk.

Filled with restaurants, hotels and a dueling piano bar, Disney’s BoardWalk offers ticket-free entry and plenty of things to do.

What is Disney’s BoardWalk?

Disney’s BoardWalk is an entertainment area within walking distance from the Epcot theme park. It surrounds the same lake where water taxis ferry guests from Epcot to various hotels.

The quarter-mile BoardWalk is a single connected walkway from the BoardWalk over to Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Epcot.

This means you can have a leisurely stroll (or bike) throughout the area without crossing roads or leaving the atmosphere.

Disney’s BoardWalk hotels

On the Disney BoardWalk, you’ll find one hotel: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. As a deluxe resort, you can expect to pay upward of $619 per night, though, you can enjoy a pool with a large water slide and very easy access to Epcot.

Across from the BoardWalk, you’ll find Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. These feature more of a beach theme than the BoardWalk Inn while still remaining relatively close.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel are just off the BoardWalk. These two properties are unique as you can book with Marriott Bonvoy points, which means you can potentially save on your stay while remaining close to the action.

Disney’s BoardWalk restaurants

There are 11 restaurants and bars at Disney’s BoardWalk, ranging from sit-down options to an ice cream parlor.

Table service

Those who’ve been to Disney World have probably heard about table service and quick-service dining. As it sounds, table service dining includes a more elevated experience, where you and your group sit down to enjoy your meal. This includes:

  • Big River Grille & Brewing Works.

  • Flying Fish. 

  • Trattoria al Forno.

Quick service

Quick-service dining is similar to fast food, though that doesn’t mean it’s lower quality. Instead, these are the types of meals you grab and go at a counter. The choices are:

  • BoardWalk Deli.

  • BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas.

  • Pizza Window.

Other options

  • AbracadaBar.

  • BoardWalk Ice Cream.

  • Funnel Cake Cart.

  • The Cake Bake Shop Bakery by Gwendolyn Rogers (coming soon).

  • The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers (coming soon).

Why is it important to know which restaurants are table service versus quick service? Because those who are staying at an eligible resort can take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan, a service that allows you to prepay all of your meals.

Although paused in 2020, Disney has announced that those traveling to Walt Disney World can add the Dining Plan to their package beginning Jan. 9, 2024.

Disney’s BoardWalk attractions

You’ll find standard amenities as a guest staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, though these options may also be available to day visitors. Recreational activities include:

  • Mini golf.

  • Surrey bike rentals.

  • Campfire songs and marshmallow roasting.

  • Pickleball.

  • Playground. 

Otherwise, Disney’s BoardWalk is one of the best spots for adults to spend time. This is because of both the Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls.

No, those weren’t typos. The Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls bar are available to those 21 and older only. The Atlantic Dance Hall is a dance hall open every evening from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and is free of charge.

Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar featuring sing-alongs with the audience. It’s walk-in only and is open from 7 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. every night, though Disney’s site warns that it’s extremely popular, so you’ll want to arrive early. Note there’s an entrance fee.

Disney’s BoardWalk transportation

Traveling to the BoardWalk? Walt Disney World Resort is crisscrossed with several transportation options, including an aerial gondola and water taxis. You can access the BoardWalk by:

  • Driving. 

  • Disney Skyline (aerial gondola).

  • Taking a water taxi.

There is minimal official parking at the BoardWalk, so those coming by car must park at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn or Epcot. It’s also possible to use Disney’s valet service.

If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort, take a look at the individual options available before heading over. Certain resorts include access to the Skyliner, as does Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you’ve started your day at the Transportation and Ticket Center (the hub for Magic Kingdom), you can also opt to take the monorail over to Epcot, then walk from Epcot to the BoardWalk.

The BoardWalk at Disney recapped

The Walt Disney World resort is a sprawling complex with many things to do. This includes Disney’s BoardWalk, which evokes the ambiance you’d find at the boardwalks in Santa Cruz, California; Coney Island, New York; and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

While it may not be the most recognizable spot in Disney World, it offers options that range from dining, dancing all night or simply strolling around the promenade.

(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Darren Dreifort, the former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers is ready to part ways with his house in the coveted Pacific Palisades health issues, is married to former sports journalist Krystal Fernandez. The two have been living in the Pacific Palisades abode ever since they got married in 2010, and this is the first time the property is on the market since they purchased it 14 years ago for $3 million, public records show.

Now, the 7,698-square-foot, 3-level home landed on the market with an $8.5 million price tag (Adam Jaret and Ally Jaret with Compass hold the listing) — and we’re here to give you a quick tour of the lovely family home.

Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass

Set just a block away from Asilomar Beach and State Park (also known as Monterey Peninsula’s “Refuge by the Sea”), Dreitfort’s house sits on a prime corner lot in El Medio Bluffs — a seaside hamlet that’s often touted as a “bespoke coastal village”.

With 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms (7 full and 1 half-bath), the property has 7,698 square feet of living space spread across three floors.

The main floor has an office, a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, formal living, dining room, family room with fireplace, and a spectacular kitchen with a huge island and generously-sized casual dining banquette — that looks like the perfect gathering place for the whole family.

Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass

The top floor features the primary suite and 3 more large bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, one more inviting than the next.

Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass
Photo credit: Tea Tree Productions courtesy of Compass

There’s even more space on the lower level (which has its own separate entrance), where we find 2 more bedroom suites, a kitchen, yoga/ fitness studio, media/ game room and tons of storage.

“Located a half block away from the El Medio bluffs, this 7,700-square-foot California coastal residence boasts an open living space, game room, home theater, gym, and yoga studio, along with an expansive rooftop deck with ocean and mountain views, large backyard, fitness pool and basketball court – perfect for the quintessential Pailsadian family,” listing agent Adam Jaret told us in an email.

Darren Dreifort’s house is located in one of Los Angeles’ priciest and most desirable neighborhoods, Pacific Palisades. Set on the city’s southern bluffs, this affluent neighborhood is known for its beautiful canyons and stunning beaches, its vibrant “downtown” center (The Village), and its proximity to Malibu and Santa Monica.

“The market is still strong for Pacific Palisades, and we anticipate a quick sale due to low inventory and high demand in the neighborhood,” Jaret added.

More stories

Inside MLB All-Star Mark Melancon’s $11M waterfront home in Florida

Boxer Sugar Ray Leonard’s house in Pacific Palisades is a modern-day palace

After a streak of savvy real estate investments, Arnold Schwarzenegger now lives in a Pacific Palisades mansion

Source: fancypantshomes.com

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

Can you pay a loan with a credit card? Yes, paying a loan with a credit card is sometimes possible. Yet, whether or not you can do so depends on factors such as the lender’s policies or the type of loan you want to pay off.

Good credit can open doors, but bad credit can keep them shut. In fact, research shows one in 10 Americans were denied work because of poor credit history! Good credit is important because it tells lenders you’re not a risk and that you pay loans on time. A good score can help you get approved for mortgages, financing, loans, and credit cards. Bad credit leads to more fees, higher interest rates, and rejected applications.

Aside from securing loans, your credit can impact your ability to secure housing and even employment. Understanding your credit score can help you make more informed decisions. We’ll explore how credit works, why it’s important, and how to maintain a good credit score.

What Is Credit?

We often hear people saythat it’s important to build credit. But what is credit? When you pay for something “on credit,”you’re actually borrowing money to make the purchase, which you pay back later. But when people say “your credit,” they’re usually talking about a credit score.

Your credit score is a three-digit number calculated by FICO®, VantageScore, or other scoring models. Your score indicates how well you manage credit. Institutions and agencies use this score to determine risk, such as how likely you are to repay loans on time. A credit score of 670 or higher is considered good by most standards.

Why Is Credit Important?

Good credit is important because it helps you secure loans, mortgages, rentals, and other important financial goals. Financial institutions perform a credit check before approving applications, and use your credit history to determine available options, associated fees, and interest rates.

Credit can impact our daily lives in many ways. Potential lenders, landlords, and employers might reject your application if you have bad credit. But good credit can help you get approved for loans and save money.

There are many benefits to a good credit score. You’ll need a strong credit score for things like:

  1. Loan applications: Lenders assess your credit to determine how likely you are to repay a loan. People with poor credit may face higher interest rates, smaller loans, or rejection.
  2. Credit card applications: Banks and credit card companies need to look at your credit report before you can get a credit card. With good credit, you can get lower interest rates and higher limits.
  3. Mortgage applications: Your credit score will determine monthly payments and interest rates. Good credit is essential if you can’t afford a large down payment.
  4. Rental applications: Landlords can run a credit check or ask you to provide one. Credit score won’t impact the rental costs, but a landlord can reject an application due to poor credit.
  5. Job applications: Prospective employers can ask for credit checks, especially if you are dealing with sensitive information. You may need a credit check for jobs in accounting, sales, the military, and other industries.
  6. Insurance applications: Depending on where you live, you might need a credit check for insurance. Not all states allow insurance companies to access your credit information.
  7. Vehicle rentals: You might need a credit check for vehicle rentals if you don’t pay with a credit card. And depending on your state and the company, your credit may impact your rental options.
  8. Credit card benefits: Good credit can help you secure credit cards with benefits, including airline miles, travel credits, cashback rewards, and other perks.
  9. Lower interest rates: Poor credit leads to higher interest rates, making borrowing money expensive. The better your credit, the more money you will save.
  10. Better loan terms: Good credit gives you more options and freedom for repayment. Bad credit can limit your options to short-term loans with higher monthly payments.

Credit is always important, no matter how high or low your score. At the end of the day, everybody needs good credit to achieve their financial goals. That’s why it’s important to understand what can impact your credit score.

What Can Impact a Credit Score?

It might be surprising, but personal savings and stocks don’t impact your credit score. Credit score calculations look at your detailed credit history, and anything that impacts these calculations will impact your score.

The five main factors that impact your credit score are:

  1. Payment history: when you make payments
  2. Credit utilization: the amount of credit you use compared to your limit
  3. Credit age: how long you’ve had credit and how old your accounts are
  4. Credit mix: the types of credit you hold
  5. Credit inquiries: how often your credit is reviewed

While this might look simple, many surprising scenarios can affect your credit. Unpaid parking tickets in collections can impact your payment history, for example. And closing a credit card can lower your credit utilization. You can review your free annual credit reports to watch for drops in your credit and work toward preventing a bad score.

What Happens with a Bad Credit Score?

Keep in mind that you can improve a bad credit score over time. But until you do, there can be negative consequences. Most credit scores range from 300-850, depending on the scoring model. A bad credit score generally ranges from 300-600.

Bad credit scores can lead to:

  • Rejected applications
  • Higher fees and interest rates
  • Lost work opportunities
  • Difficulty renting a vehicle
  • Required deposits for utilities
  • Difficulty securing a student loan
  • Expensive insurance rates
  • Difficulty opening bank accounts

Bad credit doesn’t shut every door, but it can make life more difficult and expensive. It’s important to check your credit score before buying a home, applying for student loans, and other important life events. This will give you time to understand your situation and make a plan to build and improve your credit.

How Do You Build and Improve Credit?

Now that you understand what credit is and why it’s important, you can plan for success. There are many ways to build and improve your credit without overextending yourself. No matter your score today, you can work toward a bright future with good credit.

  1. Understand how credit works: Learn how your credit score works and what can impact it.
  2. Set goals for yourself: Use this knowledge to set goals for minimizing debts, increasing utilization, and more.
  3. Address your debts: Assess your debts and plan to pay them off.
  4. Monitor your credit score: Look for suspicious activity on your credit report and be aware of the potential impact on your score.
  5. Clean your credit report: Dispute errors on your credit report.
  6. Get a secured credit card: Use it regularly and pay your bills on time.
  7. Become an authorized credit card user: Build credit in association with somebody you trust.
  8. Apply for a credit builder loan: Improve your score if you have poor or no credit.
  9. Create a budget: Manage your finances to ensure consistent repayments.

Achieving a good credit score isn’t the end of your credit journey—once you have a good credit score, you will need to maintain it. Stay diligent and follow best practices to keep a good credit score.

How Do You Keep a Good Credit Score?

Don’t take good credit for granted. To keep a good credit score, you need to stay organized and sensible about your credit usage. This means understanding your responsibilities and following best practices for credit management.

Follow these tips for keeping a good credit score:

  1. Stick to your budget: Committing to a budget can help you make payments on time, which is key to achieving a good credit score.
  2. Avoid carrying debt: Credit utilization is the second most important factor that makes up your credit score. Unpaid debts accumulate interest, which means less money for you.
  3. Pay bills and parking tickets on time: It’s important to pay all utility bills, phone bills, and parking tickets on time. Not paying bills can lead to collections and this impacts your credit score.
  4. Don’t let debts go to collections: You should avoid collections at all costs. When unpaid debts go to collections, it can cause significant damage to your credit score.
  5. Monitor your credit score and reports: When it comes to your credit, ignorance is not bliss. It’s important to watch your credit report for changes, errors, and suspicious activity.
  6. Protect yourself from identity theft: A large drop in your credit score can be a sign of identity theft. Stay aware, protect your information, and consider a credit card with security features.
  7. Use your credit card consistently: Using your credit card will help you build credit—just don’t spend more than you’re able to pay back each month.
  8. Don’t close old credit cards: Closing a credit card lowers your credit mix, so it’s a good idea to leave old credit cards open, even if you don’t use them. Keep an eye on them for suspicious activity.
  9. Only authorize people you trust: Authorized users on your accounts can impact your credit score. Only authorize accountable and trustworthy people.
  10. Avoid retail credit cards: While retail credit cards can be easy to get, they can come with expensive rates and fees. And not all retail credit cards report payments, making them less ideal for building credit.
  11. Don’t treat credit like extra cash: Building credit takes organization and discipline. You should always stick to a budget and avoid spending beyond your means.

Your credit score is like a financial reflection of you, so take pride in your credit and make an effort to keep a good score. Knowledge is power—the more you understand credit, the more confident you’ll feel when preparing for large purchases and other financial ventures.

Whether you have good or bad credit, it’s all about setting goals and staying organized. Remember, your current score is not set in stone. You can always improve credit management and make a difference in your future.

If you’re worried about bad credit or just want to see where you stand, get your free credit score today.

Source: credit.com

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There are more than a million reasons why I love my wife. She’s hot, she’s a great mom, she cooks (every once in a while), and she does the laundry — although my jeans are always wrinkled–love ya baba! 🙂

Another BIG reason why I love her, is that she handles all the insurance stuff with our household. She’s on the phone for hours deliberating with the insurance companies about what we owe and what we’ve already paid that they never seem to have the record on.

Recently, we decided it was time to switch insurance companies and she, being the awesome wife that she is, took on the task. Here’s her experience on the whole ordeal of changing insurance companies and firing our agent. Take it away sweetie…..

There are several reasons why a person might consider switching insurance companies. I assure you that doing it for fun is not one of them. Perhaps the company you are currently insured by is going out of business or maybe the rates from other insurance companies are more affordable. We had been with our insurance company for over five years. We personally knew our insurance agent, as he was a friend of mine from high school. I trusted him and I knew that we were in good hands. Earlier this year, our agent decided to switch jobs, leaving us with a new agent that we did not know. This was the triggering factor in our situation to start shopping for new insurance. I knew we were paying a little higher premiums than other people I had talked to, but since we knew our agent and felt comfortable with him, we were okay with that. However, when he left, it was a prime opportunity for us to take a look at some different options and reevaluate our situation. And WOW, what I found out was… I should have been comparing rates and coverage WAY before my agent had left.  We were paying substantially higher rates than we needed to be. Doing business with a friend can be tricky like that. You want to be loyal, but you also want to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Be careful.

It can be time-consuming to compare insurance rates…trust me. I spent more than a few hours doing my research and talking to different insurance companies to get quotes. I assure you that if you end up saving a substantial amount of money then it’s totally worth every second.

Whatever your reason there are a few things you should consider before actually making the switch from one insurance company or agent to another. Here are some things that I considered when I was comparing companies to ensure we were getting the best coverage at a reasonable rate.

1. Multiple policy discounts

If you are switching insurance companies and you have more than one policy at your current provider, consider the discounts that may be applied to your policies for having multiple policies with one provider. It may make sense to move not one but all of your policies to the new provider to continue receiving the multiple policy discount. We had our Homeowners, auto, and umbrella policies all with the same company. We saved over $250 a year by switching our auto insurance company just for having a multiple policy discount.

2. Research the company as well as rates

With various tools available on the Internet you can shop for insurance rates from the convenience of your home. You can compare rates and get quotes from dozens of companies. While comparison shopping for the best rates is one of the first steps in saving money, it is also important to research the insurance provider as well. There are many new companies that are starting that might not have the experience nor resources to provide the coverage you will need should an accident or disaster strike. It doesn’t make sense to pay for insurance policies backed by a company that is unable to provide the protection you need at the time you need it.

Guess I need to call my insurance agent

In 2009 we experienced an “inland hurricane” and had the chance to really “test” out just how good our insurance provider was. Luckily, they covered all of the damage and then some, without any fuss. This is where it comes in handy to trust your agent. However, we had several neighbors that spent months fighting their insurance company trying to get money for their home repairs. Do your homework and make sure that your company is not a bust! After all, what’s the point in paying for insurance if the company isn’t willing to honor your claims? Cheaper is not always better.

3. Switch companies at the right time

Whenever possible, try to switch companies when your current policy is set to renew. Insurance companies usually send out important details regarding your policy a few weeks before it is due to renew. You can use this information to get current details and rate information that can be used when comparison shopping. This is what I used to compare our current rates with the competition. In addition, you will avoid any cancellation fees that might be attached to your policy by switching before the term is up or prorated amounts for switching in the middle of a policy period.

Our previous insurance company charged a $75 fee for canceling our policies before the policy end date. However, we were willing to pay the charge since, by switching companies, we were saving over $300 a year. Weigh your options.

4. Compare coverage between insurance companies

Before making the switch to a new insurance company you must take the time to compare the coverage provided to ensure you are not getting a great new rate but substantially less coverage. It doesn’t make sense to save a few hundred dollars in premiums if it costs you several thousand in the long run. Make sure you compare apples to apples. Any insurance company can “get you a cheaper rate”, but can they get you a cheaper rate with the same amount of coverage? I had numerous insurance companies try and tell me that they could beat my current rate, but when it came down to it, most of them were providing less coverage.

The insurance company that we ended up dealing with was not only able to beat our current rate, but they were able to provide MORE coverage than our current policies.

5. Accessibility of your insurance agent

Make sure that you are choosing a trustworthy insurance company that is available when you need them. Have you ever tried to get a hold of your insurance agent? I have waited longer than a week for my insurance agent to call me back and we are friends. Now think about it, what if you needed something important, you were in an accident or your house burnt down, would you want to wait a week before your insurance company got back to you. Not likely. When calling to compare rates, make sure that the agent is accessible and willing to take the time to speak with you within a reasonable time frame. It will be a foreshadowing of your future relationship with them.

6. Policy cancellation

Making the switch

Once you have done all of your homework, researched company history, rates and coverage and picked a new insurance provider, don’t forget to cancel your old policy. Do this in writing and request an official cancellation notice to keep with your records. This proof may be needed in the future if there are questions regarding payments or coverage. Everyone wants to save money and changing insurance companies can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. It took me over two weeks before we finally settled on a new insurance company. The whole process was a pain, but I know it will save us thousands over the years. I just hope I don’t have to do it again any time soon. 🙂

This is a guest post from my awesome wife Mandy Rose. She can check out more about her and our fam at her blog House of Rose.

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

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Inaccurate, negative items on your credit report can significantly affect your credit score and impact your ability to secure credit, obtain lower interest rates, land your dream job, or even rent an apartment. This negative impact can be devastating in many ways, but it’s even worse if the harmful information isn’t accurate. Correcting these errors is one of the first steps to repairing your credit.

Fortunately, the Fair Credit Reporting Act protects consumers. Specifically, section 609 of the FCRA gives you the authority to request detailed information about items on your credit report. If the credit reporting agencies can’t substantiate a claim on your credit report, they must remove it or correct it.

You can request this information by sending the credit reporting agency what’s called a 609 letter. This article provides more details about what a 609 dispute letter is and how to write one.

What Is a 609 Letter?

A 609 letter is a formal document consumers use to request more information about account details listed on their credit reports they believe to be erroneous and to request the removal or correction of this inaccurate information.

While section 609 of the FCRA doesn’t specifically mention 609 dispute letters, it does lay out the framework for making this request. Once the agency receives your letter, it must conduct an investigation and provide you with the requested information.

What Is Section 609?

Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act outlines consumers’ protections regarding disclosures. It requires credit reporting agencies to provide consumers, upon request, with information in their report, including:

  • Details, including dates and contracts, on any opened or closed account on credit reports at the date of the request
  • A list of all parties that made hard or soft inquiries on account over a 1–2 year period
  • All source information linked to each item on the credit report

Why Do 609 Letters Matter?

If you find inaccurate information on your credit report, submitting a 609 letter is the first step to resolving this issue. Once a credit reporting agency receives a 609 letter, it must conduct an investigation unless it can prove the claim is frivolous. The agency has 30 days to complete this investigation but can request a 15-day extension.

If the agency can’t provide verification for the information, it must remove it from your report or correct it. Otherwise, it must provide you with the information you requested.

What Can’t a 609 Letter Do?

Submitting a 609 letter doesn’t automatically remove items from your credit report. If the agency provides what it considers verifiable evidence that the account is yours, the information will remain on your account. If the agency doesn’t remove the information from your account and you still believe it’s inaccurate, you can file another dispute. Otherwise, the information will remain on your account for seven to 10 years.

Do 609 Letters Work?

Upon receipt of a 609 letter, the credit reporting agency must conduct a full investigation within 30-45 days. It must then provide you with written notification of its findings within 5 business days. If the agency fails to respond to your request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

If the agency can’t verify the requested information, It must remove it from your credit report. In some cases, a 609 letter may be enough to prompt the removal of this information. If this doesn’t happen, you may need to file another dispute.

How Do You Write a 609 Letter?

The FCRA doesn’t provide a specific template for writing a 609 letter. However, there are several pieces of information you should include in your letter, such as:

  • Your full legal name
  • Your complete address
  • Your phone number
  • Statement pertaining to your 609 rights under the FCRA
  • Account name and number for any accounts in question
  • Statement requesting removal of inaccurate information
  • Attorney contact information, if applicable
  • List of enclosed documents

Along with your letter, you should also send copies of several documents, including:

  • Your credit report with the inaccurate information highlighted
  • Your birth certificate
  • Your Social Security card
  • Your passport or state-issued driver’s license or photo ID
  • Latest tax documents with Social Security number listed
  • Mortgage statement or rental agreement with current address listed
  • Current utility bill with name and address listed

Below is an example of a 609 letter.

Name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Address
Phone number 

Date

609 Dispute Letter

Dear [credit bureau]:

I’m writing to exercise my rights under section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I’m requesting information regarding the following accounts listed on my credit report:

Account Name: [as listed on credit report]
Account Number: [as listed on credit report]

Account Name: [as listed on credit report]
Account Number: [as listed on credit report]

According to section 609, I’m entitled to all pertinent information regarding these accounts, including the original contract with my signature. If you’re unable to find this information within the 30-day time limit, I request that you immediately remove the information from my credit report.

As proof of my identity, I’ve included a copy of my Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, W-2, electric bill, and rental agreement. Also included is a copy of my recent credit report, with the accounts in question highlighted in yellow.

Sincerely,

[your signature]

[printed name]

Be sure to make copies of all information, including all letters and backup documents, for your records.

Where to Send a 609 Letter

You should mail your 609 letter and all backup documents directly to the corresponding credit reporting agency using the address listed below. If the error appears on multiple credit reports, you need to send each agency a separate letter. Due to the importance of this letter, you’ll want to go to the post office and send the letter through certified mail with a return receipt requested. This step provides proof of the date the agency received your 609 dispute letter.

Experian
PO Box 4500
Allen TX 75013

TransUnion Consumer Solutions 
PO Box 2000
Chester PA 19016-2000

Equifax
PO Box 740256
Atlanta GA 30374-0256

How to Dispute Items on Your Credit Report

If submitting a 609 dispute letter doesn’t prompt the credit reporting agency to remove the inaccurate information, you may need to file another dispute. To file this dispute, you must send another letter to the corresponding credit bureaus. Once the agency receives your letter, it must conduct another investigation based on the information you provide.

How to Write a Dispute Letter

When writing a dispute letter, be sure to clearly note what information you believe is inaccurate and provide a detailed explanation of the error. Include as much information as possible, and send copies of any backup documentation, such as account statements, proof of payments, or letters from the lender. Close the letter by requesting the prompt removal of this information.

If the credit reporting agency still refuses to remove the information, it may be time to hire an attorney or credit repair agency to help with the process. You can also use these services if this process becomes too cumbersome or time-consuming.

Is there inaccurate information on your credit report? Find out now. Get your free Credit Report Card today.

Source: credit.com

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Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations.

You can contact Equifax®, Experian®, or TransUnion® online, over the phone, or by mail to unfreeze your credit. The process is free, but it may take up to an hour to fully take effect.

Someone might freeze their credit for several reasons, including identity theft concerns. However, they’ll eventually need to unfreeze their credit by contacting the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to unfreeze credit with each bureau—and we’ll answer a few common questions about unfreezing credit. You’ll also learn how to monitor your credit more effectively long-term.

When Should You Unfreeze Your Credit Report?

Someone who’s experienced identity theft can unfreeze their credit after the authorities have helped them resolve their case. Conversely, someone who plans to apply for a new credit card or secure a loan will want to unfreeze their credit beforehand. In general, one must unfreeze their credit to let trustworthy sources verify their identity and credit history.

Ways to Unfreeze Your Credit

There are two ways to unfreeze your credit—temporarily or permanently. You might temporarily lift a freeze if you need to apply for a loan or a credit card. Conversely, you might opt to permanently unfreeze your credit after you’ve resolved an outstanding identity theft case. Knowing how each unfreezing method works can help you decide which suits your needs. 

  • Temporary Unfreeze Credit: Temporarily unfreezing or “thawing” credit allows creditors to check your profile for a set time. The precise length of a thaw will vary from one state to the next. Kentucky, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota impose a seven-year time limit on credit thaws, while the limits of other states are essentially indefinite.
  • Permanently Unfreeze Credit: Permanently removing a credit freeze returns your credit profile back to normal. If you want to freeze your credit in the future, you’ll have to individually contact the three bureaus once again.

How to Quickly Unfreeze Credit with Equifax

Equifax lets clients freeze and unfreeze their credit online, by mail, or over the phone.

  1. Online: Create a “my Equifax,” visit the “Equifax Consumer Services Center,” then select “Security Freeze.”
  2. Mail: Download and fill out Equifax’s security freeze request form, then mail the document (along with proof of identity and proof of address items) to the following address:
    1. Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348.
  3. Phone: Call 888-298-0045, then verify your identity through security questions or a one-time PIN number.

How to Quickly Unfreeze Credit with Experian

Experian offers three ways to freeze and unfreeze your credit—mail, online, and over the phone.

  1. Online: Create an account on Experian.com, hover over “Protection,” then select “Security freeze” under “Identity Theft Support”.
  2. Mail: Send your written request (and a copy of an ID and a utility bill) to the following address:
    1. Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.
  3. Phone: Call 888-397-3742, then wait to speak with a representative.

How to Quickly Unfreeze Credit with TransUnion

Like Equifax and Experian, TransUnion also provides three ways to freeze and unfreeze your credit.

  1. Online: Make a TransUnion Service Center Account, then choose “Freeze Credit Report” under the “Services” tab.
  2. Mail: Ship your written request, proof of identity, and a six-digit PIN number to the following address:
    1. TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094.
  3. Phone: Call 800-916-8800, then prepare to provide your six-digit PIN number.

Credit Freeze FAQ

Freezing and unfreezing credit isn’t exactly a common practice, so it’s no surprise when people have a lot of questions about the process. Thankfully, some of the most common credit freeze questions have fairly straightforward answers.

How Long Does It Take to Unfreeze Credit?

The credit bureaus can unfreeze your account as soon as they receive your request. It’s worth noting that it may take an hour or more for your credit report to be fully updated.

Will a Credit Freeze Hurt My Score?

No, a freeze won’t negatively or positively affect your credit score in and of itself. Creditors won’t be able to access your credit report, but you also won’t be able to apply for new loans or cards while your credit is frozen.

How Many Times Can You Freeze and Unfreeze Credit?

You can freeze and unfreeze your credit as often as needed. However, you will have to repeat the unfreezing process with the corresponding bureaus.

How Much Does It Cost to Unfreeze Credit?

Placing and removing a credit freeze is completely free every time. Neither Equifax, Experian, nor TransUnion will charge you for submitting a request or creating an account on their websites.

Source: credit.com

Apache is functioning normally

It’s a relatively new business, but like any other, it’s been infiltrated by fraud and scams in no time at all.

That’s a good thing for companies like MFI-Mod Squad, which investigates loan modification fraud.

Yesterday, the company put out a list of the twenty worst loan modification companies, though I don’t think it was an April fool’s joke.

“Many people have been asking me to post a list of unreliable loan modification companies,” said Steve Dibert, President of MFI-Mod Squad, in a release. “I’m happy to do so because it can help homeowners avoid scams.”

The companies that made the list below haven’t been approved to charge an upfront fee and claim to offer a money-back guarantee, big red flags in the loan mod world.

They’ve either failed to come through with the promised loan modification or refused to offer a refund to homeowners.

All but Samaritan Financial and Mortgage Mitigation Clearing House are located in California, a state that requires loan modification companies to be approved by the Department of Real Estate (DRE) to charge upfront fees (law firms are exempt).

Last week, the FTC cracked down on two loan modification companies, “Hope Now Modifications” and “New Hope Modifications”, which posed as affiliates of foreclosure alliance Hope Now.

The List:

•    Green Credit Solutions – (now approved by MFI-Mod Squad)
•    Peoples First Financial
•    United Law Group
•    Excel Loss Mitigation
•    Nations Choice
•    USA Mortgage Aid
•    Mortgage Assistance Center
•    Bank Modifications, Inc
•    Apply2Save
•    AmeRestart aka Equinaire
•    Choice Loans Consulting
•    Samaritan Financial
•    Resolutions Mortgage Group
•    Federal Loan Modifications
•    Mortgage Mitigation Clearing House
•    Woosh.com aka Manhattan Mortgage
•    Coastal Pacific
•    New Beginnings Loan Modification Services
•    North American Relief
•    US Justice Foundation

(photo: jantik)

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com