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With offers for   debt consolidation  appearing everywhere lately it has truly become difficult to sort the scams from the legit offers. You may end up taking one of these seemingly valuable offers and end up worse off than you we’re before. So, then what you ask yourself? How are you going to fix this mess by yourself? Well, take a deep breath and relax because it really isn’t that hard.   Now if you are already in a mess then don’t stress too much. You need to make a plan for what you are going to do. Try to do this in a calm state of mind because if you come from a point of emotional distress you will end up emotionally reacting, instead of making sound decisions that make you come out on top. Fixing your credit is really a lot like playing a game. So, when you want to win the game you need a strategy. For this you already know that your objective is to repair the already done damage to your credit score. Now you need to know the factors in play by the people that determine exactly what your credit score is.   If you do not already have a copy of your credit report then you can get 3 free reports annually from the three major bureau’s which are Trans Union, Experian and Equifax. You can also get free credit reports online from a number of sources within a matter of moments. Whichever way you want to get your reports is fine; you just will need them to find out precisely what information is damaging your credit before you can being to fix it. On the road to your financial recovery one of the main important parts of the game is to make sure you keep up with all your current and upcoming expenses. That means don’t make any late payments from this point on. Do not pay off one of your past debts yet, if that means that you will be unable to make a payment on an upcoming bill because it will only lower your score even more. The reason this lowers your score is because your payment history is one of the largest parts of how your credit score is determined.   However, not all bad history is created equal. For instance, if you have an outstanding debt from 1 year ago and you have another one from 2 months ago, then the most recent is going to affect your credit score most heavily. What this means for you is once you know you have enough to make the payments on all your upcoming expenses then you can move onto step 2.   Step 2 is where you make a list of your outstanding debts in order from most recent to oldest. As you accrue money to pay these off then you will knock them down in this order. This is going to increase your credit score some. The next biggest factor for the number you get on your credit score is determined by the amount of debt you have. If you have a large amount that is okay, because as you pay off the debts from step 1 this amount will be decreased. However, don’t emotionally over react and just rid yourself completely of your debt. It is always good to have a small amount on your credit cards that you pay off regularly. This makes you look like a reliable consumer. Now you move to Step 3 in the credit score game.   Step 3 is based on time and skill. Now that you have successfully paid off your outstanding debts, and have done this in the precise order which they hindered your credit score, you may enter the actual game world. Another big factor, or at least 10 percent, of your score is determined by the types of loans that you have. This means that you can successfully have not just   credit cards, but also loans from lenders and   banks. These types of loans can be personal,   mortgages, or for a car purchase. Please realize that if your credit has been bad in the past it will take a while to make you look like a great candidate to loan money to again. This means you have to keep up with your payments. If you struggle with time management then one suggestion is to print out or buy a calendar. This will be your financial calendar where you write in when your payments are   due   and when you need to pay and send them in by. If you do this the odds are very low that you will make a late payment ever again. Once this becomes a habit your bad credit will be a thing of the past.   If you are able to go down to the bank that you use for your personal checking and explain your situation to them then you can also do wonders for your credit score. Simple tell them you are trying to establish a history of good credit for yourself and you would like a small   personal loan   to pay off. This will prove your ability to keep your word and increase your credit score. The more times you do this the more it will help you out because you look like a responsible consumer, which is precisely what lenders are looking for when you really want to make big purchases like a house or nice car.  

Is your retirement just around the corner? Then it’s time to rethink your finances. It’s also time to plan your dream trip to Europe , expand your home , or invest in your family’s future. If you’re about to embark onto retirement, it’s best you learn how to plan use your retirement income. Maximize what you’ve earned for years to come so you can fully enjoy your retirement . Organize What You Have Now If you have a retirement account, it’s time to cash it in . But how? There are many ways to get a hold of your funds, and the best method for you only depends on your goals. During this time, it’s wise to seek advice from retirement professionals; the experts at a company like Guided Choice can get you on the right path to retirement. They will help you every step of the way to plan your retirement adventures to come. A retirement planner will walk you through the different forms of payment you can ask for. Each retirement plan has different benefits that can suit you according to your lifestyle and your needs. Below are the different ways you can receive your pay. Lump Sum Payments If you have $5,000 or less in your retirement account or pension, you can generally cash it out right away. Some people prefer access to a lump sum not only because of the immediate access, but also because it may be possible to obtain the same income that an annuity would allow. Lump sum payments also allow you to retain complete control over what you decide to give to your heirs. On the other hand, getting a lump sum can make it too tempting to spend quickly if it’s not handled properly. Annuity Payments Annuity payments differ in contracts and obligations. Generally, an annuity will deliver a beneficial payout rate that guarantees your income for life. That means you can’t outlive your income and you’ll never find yourself without money. You also won’t have investment management responsibilities, which is a relief to many who choose this plan. Yet, there are some cons. If you happen to have a large pension, the financial stability of your former employer will determine your future pension benefits. In addition, most monthly annuity payments don’t adjust for inflation. Luckily, a portion of your retirement benefits are insured by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation.          

People who join the military are agreeing to serve their country whether in wartime or peace time. This commitment is a big one. Military personnel may have to grow accustomed to moving themselves and their families according to the needs of the military. Personnel may also have to grow accustomed to working in high pressure situations. If you are thinking of joining the military, there are several civilian jobs that can help you prepare for the demands of serving in the military. Police Dispatchers Dispatching jobs are available in every state and in most counties. The minimum education requirement for the job is a high school diploma or GED, which is also a minimum requirement for enlisted military personnel. Police dispatching requires careful attention to detail and the ability to think quickly while responding to emergencies. The list of skills and competencies for dispatchers contains many traits military personnel must have: Good communication skills Self-confidence High level of emotional self-control Availability for shift work, nights, weekends and holidays Ability to prioritize situations Ability to multi-task (monitor phones and radios simultaneously Fire and Emergency Medical Services Workers Like police dispatchers and military personnel, those who work as public servants in the area of fire and medical services must posses the ability to respond to emergency calls quickly and appropriately. Firefighters must be available to respond to calls while on shift, and some fire departments require workers to be on-call for emergencies. Working shift work and responding to emergencies at a moment's notice are two key requirements for many military jobs. Depending on the job and the type of position applied for, emergency medical responders may have to complete a 2-year training program. These programs can be completed in a community college. However, some counties train basic first-aid responders on the job. These responders are taught the basics of life support and how to handle various medical emergencies while transporting patients to a medical facility. The training and any certifications received by emergency medical responders can be transferred to a position in the military. All branches of the armed forces need medical services workers. Personal Trainer Personal trainers and other fitness gurus often spend a lot of time in gyms and at sporting events. Most personal trainers are in good physical shape. Properly trained athletic trainers are knowledgeable of fitness and nutrition, which are two important areas to study for military personnel. The military requires enlisted personnel to complete certain physical training requirements in order to serve in each respective military branch. In most cases, those who work as personal trainers are fit enough to pass the military's physical training requirements. Police Officers Police officers protect people and enforce laws. Honor, loyalty and the ability to work as part of a team are all traits shared by both police and military. Most police agencies are also supportive of the military, and they are sympathetic enough to encourage easier transitions between civilian life and military life. Police are also trained in the use of weapons, such as firearms. Military service people are given more extensive weapons training so they can handle everything from a basic hand grenade to a Moore Advanced X-tractor . Public service jobs are some of the best positions for people who hope to enlist in the military. The training required for police, personal trainers, dispatchers, firefighters and medical services personnel can all be transferred to work in the military. These are also good careers for military personnel to come back to once they've served their time.

Having weaknesses is natural. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to perceive our strengths. Becoming aware of our soft spots is the first step we must take in order to develop ourselves for the better. Nowadays veterans have a hard time managing their weaknesses gained from war. Most of them developed PTSD as a result of the terror they experienced during the war. Recovering from PTSD is harder than you would think. Even if you are a veteran, you should think about your flaws as your undiscovered strengths. If you would really want to make a significant change in your life you should start by working on your deepest weakness in such a way that you make it your core strength. As ShūsakuEndō said: “Every weakness contains within itself a strength.”    Weaknesses Are Hidden Strengths Weaknesses are, for most of the times, hidden strengths . So, be sure to analyze each of your weak spots in order to see what lies under them. When you are at an interview and you are asked “what is your greatest weakness?” don’t try to act like you don’t have one. The main point is to be honest in admitting your disadvantages, even if you might be ashamed of them. It doesn’t matter. Honesty is one of the greatest strengths a human can own. So, whatever your weaknesses are, being honest about them will only bring you benefits. Here are a few ways in which recognizing your weaknesses may be helpful: Becoming aware of your weaknesses is a sign of mental maturity. Knowing what your weaknesses and strengths are will keep you humble. Recognizing your own flaws will help you relate better to others who are experiencing the same or different weaknesses. Understanding that each of us has weaknesses will make us more united. Each weakness is an opportunity to develop our physical and mental growth. Overcoming Your Weakness Here is an exercise that should help you identify and overcome most of your weaknesses. First off, you should start by writing down all your strengths; this can be done in a timeframe of less than two weeks. While you go on with your life, keep an eye on the tasks you do competently and ask yourself which strengths of yours are helping out the most. Another good idea is to ask your friends and family what other strengths they see in you. After completing the list, you could start writing down your strengths. An option to overcome a weakness is finding a new way in which you could approach it by making use of one of your inner strengths. For example, let’s say your weakness is that you have a poor physical strength. Your task is to get water from the fountain each day for your family. The problem is that you can’t carry it. What should you do? One of your core strengths is innovation. By leveraging your innovation, you can create a water pipe that will transport your water from the fountain to your home every day. You won’t need to make any effort from now on. A weakness can be a motivation factor as well. Being physically weak will motivate you to become mentally strong. In case you are a veteran and you are looking for ways to overcome your anguishand recover from war traumas, there might be a solution. US Department of Veteran Affairs just published a short book named “ Picture This: Veteran Mental Health Challenges and Solutions ” which might be exactly what you need in order to “get back on your feet”. There is a whole chapter in which priceless treatments are detailed and discussed. This book is indeed a valuable resource. If support is what you need during your recovery, don’t hesitate to join a veteran support group .   Never Let a Weakness Affect Your Goals Your weaknesses are the challenges which you must override in order to grow. The process of overcoming a weakness is one of the most powerful tools that contribute to a greater personal development. Therefore, keep in mind that every frailty that you experience is just another chance for you to transform it into a strength. When answering the question “What is your greatest weakness?” during an interview, you should pay attention to these 3 common mistakes:   Trying to Turn a Positive Trait Into a Negative One   For example,perfectionism might turn out to be a productive and efficient trait for a future employee. Transforming it in a negative trait will sound like this: “I am too much of a perfectionist”. It’s a good trick to play in order dodge the real answer, but be careful when using it as your employer might see right through it.   Not Answering the Employer’s Question   Some people will say that they can’t think about any weaknesses. Not answering this question will only make you look like you are hiding something or that you haven’t taken the time to prepare for the interview. Even though you may not be prepared, identifying one of your weak spots isn’t rocket science.  Just think about your last mistake and you will immediately remember something you’re not that good at.   Disclosing a Weakness That Might Put You in a Bad Spot   One of the funniest mistakes a candidate can make is confessing to a weakness that will obstruct his ability to excel in the role. For example, telling the employer that your biggest flaw is related to your ability to be punctual when it comes to working hours, well…this might not be such a good idea. Your disadvantage will then be that you are too honest. So, before opening your mouth and disclosing one of your weak spots, think about the consequences.   Conclusion The whole point of this article is to help you understand that your weaknesses aren’t necessarily something to hide away from.Your flaws and your strengths are the ones that make you unique. From now on, try thinking about your flaws as motivating factors, and leverage them to improve your mental and physical qualities.   About author: Olivia is an incurable optimist who always sees the glass as half-full. She likes nature, knows how to enjoy silence and keen on writing for different websites as well as for AussieWritings.com Meet her on Facebook and Twitter .  

If you happen to be one of the lucky few who has an unending amount of disposable income to sustain you while you travel the world, congratulations. Most of us out there, dreaming of backpacking through Europe, are a little nervous about how we will fund our adventures. Thankfully, there are actually tons of ways that you can make money while travelling, from remote work using a computer to becoming a tour guide. Rent Your Home This one is a serious no-brainer. If you find yourself traveling often and you happen to have a nice home in a great location, you would be silly to not rent it out while on vacation. It helps if you have someone who can help out while you’re gone, especially if you are renting your home out to several different people while you are traveling, since the house will need some cleaning in between guests. Obviously, owning your home is the best way to go about this, since a lot of property rental agencies will have a serious issue with you renting your home when you don’t actually own it. Check out Airbnb and get your home listed. Teach English One of the most popular ways to make money while traveling abroad is to teach English , especially if you want to travel throughout countries like Japan, Thailand or South Korea. While teaching means you will be based in one spot for much of the time, you will still have a set schedule with days off, which will enable you to travel around and explore your new home. Plus, many schools will pay for your flights and apartments, which makes the decision to teach a no-brainer! Work Remote Thanks to the internet, you can literally go anywhere in the world and still work as long as you have access to a computer. Though there are several websites out there designed to help people connect with potential employers, Remote.com is at the top of the list because it actually uses an algorithm to find the best professional matches. As a job seeker, you make a profile and search through countless job opportunities that range from freelance work to consulting to more permanent full-time positions. It’s so easy to use and you can search by skill, which makes it easier to find something that you are qualified to take on. This would be especially beneficial to anyone with a writing background, since writing is one of the best ways to make money while traveling the world. Tour Guide What better way to get to know a new country than by becoming a tour guide? After all, it is literally your job to explore your new city and meet fellow travelers like yourself. Many travel agencies hire seasonal tour guides for tourists, from basic walking guides to full-day, bus-guided tour guides (meaning, you may have to have a legal driving license, but it may not be necessary). Obviously, snagging this job means that you have to know all about the city, which shouldn’t be that hard because as a newbie yourself, you will probably be digesting as much information as possible already. It may also help if you have tour guide experience, so it wouldn’t hurt to get some tour jobs in your hometown before jet setting across the world.    Travel Photographer If you’re good with a camera – meaning, you actually know how to use one when not in the automatic setting – then becoming a travel photographer might be your ticket to paid travel. This job is, of course, a dream, so there will probably be a lot of competition out there. That said, if you’re really good and have a strong portfolio, you have some good chances of snagging a gig with some magazines, websites or newspapers. House or Pet Sit Did you know that you can put your house sitting or pet sitting skills to good use? Tons of people look for responsible folks to look after their homes and pets while they are away, so it makes sense that countless residents in your country of choice are seeking someone trustworthy to stay in their home while they are away. That could be you! Not only will you be staying in their home for free, you will also get paid for it and all you have to do is basically live in their home. And maybe feed some cats and water some plants. Bet you’re now happy that you always agreed to look after your friend’s pups while they were out of town!      

As someone who has served your country, you have spent years protecting freedoms for others and ensuring that Americans can continue living the American dream. However, now that you have entered civilian life you may find settling into a new career somewhat difficult. Military veterans deserve strong professional civilian careers, which is why we have created this list of the five best professional careers for military veterans. Logistician This job has a high growth rate with 27,600 new jobs expected by 2022. Logisticians can be found in almost all industries and their role is to follow a product through its life cycle from acquisition to the distribution model and then finally to delivery. Logisticians help companies improve the efficiency at each stage. Due to most military veterans ability to spot problems and create efficient solutions, this is often a great job for veterans. IT Specialist Many military veterans have higher intelligence clearance. If a military veteran spent time serving in the IT branch of the military then a transition to a position such as an IT specialist, IT analyst, IT program manager, or IT operations manager makes sense. The IT military experience that you have received will easily translate to the civilian IT world and put you ahead of the competition. Management Consultant Once again, the military is all about efficiency and that efficiency training can make military veterans ideal candidates for management consultant work. The goal as a management consultant is to spot ways to help a company take tasks and overarching operational goals and complete them as efficiently as possible. This career is well served in many industries as well. Masters in American History Another popular option for military veterans is a masters in American history. Due to their time spent working for the military, many veterans are interested in American history and have a great background as an actual member of American history. For veterans who enjoy literature, books, and historical data, a masters in American history is a logical next step. Skilled Tradesman Not every military veteran is ready to give up active work and sit behind a desk. Not every military veteran has strong technical skills either. The skilled tradesman jobs are perfect opportunities for skilled workers. Everything from welding to machining, bricklaying to carpentry and construction work can be a great fit for military veterans. Skilled tradesman jobs also pay more than many workers think and have a growth rate of 22-25% overall depending on the particular industry. With your many military skills and leadership experiences, we believe military veterans have many advantages in the hunt for professional careers. We recommend starting with this list of professional careers for military veterans and then branching out into other fields based on your own skills and experiences gained from the military.

After a career serving your country in the armed forces, you may be unsure of what to do next. Your experience and years of service can be put to use in a rewarding second career. Each of these three satisfying life paths allows you to make the most of the skills and experience you developed while also allowing you to learn more and continue to help others. Helping Others in Your Community If you have reached retirement age for the military, consider taking a job or volunteer position in your community. Organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the YMCA may provide you with the opportunity to be a role model to youngsters in the community. Consider working for a non-profit organization that helps homeless veterans or links people with key resources in the area. If you gained experience such as fixing vehicles, building shelters or repairing electronics, find a position that allows you to share those skills with others in need. Pursuing a Criminal Justice Degree Your experience in the military makes the criminal justice field a natural choice for the next chapter in your life. Pursuing a criminal justice online program is a wise next step for becoming a police officer, FBI agent or another law enforcement professional. You could also become a security professional, helping companies or individuals to defend themselves, their homes and their businesses with a military-like level of precision. With your military experience, you may be eligible for tuition assistance programs to make it easier to complete your criminal justice degree. Putting Your Physical Strength to Work The physical strength and stamina built during your career in the military can also make for a satisfying life path. Consider working as a personal trainer, helping others to achieve and maintain their bodies in a healthy way. You may find that helping people to build their own muscles and develop their own strength is highly rewarding. If you are less of a "people person," consider a job in construction. You will be able to work on projects and maintain your physical fitness.   Each of these three life paths allows you to pursue your interests and highlight your strengths. Your military background will show employers that you are disciplined, hard-working and that you take directions well. You could even gain an education in a field such as criminal justice and then embark on a totally new career to stimulate your mind and keep you socially connected.

There is no doubt that ex-military personnel are incredibly disciplined and well trained, and both of these factors usually serve these men and women well in their post-military careers—no matter what field they end up going into. That being said, there are a number of jobs that tend to be a better fit for former military service men and women and allow them to directly use their tactical skills and military training to their advantage. As a former member of the military, you'll generally have a huge range of different career options once you finally choose to leave the service. However, the following three careers are fantastic options that are generally a perfect fit for those with military training. Police Officer/ Federal Law Enforcement Agent One of the most common career choices for ex-military personnel is law enforcement. Whether it is working as a local police officer or sheriff or a career in a federal law enforcement agency such as the FBI, DEA or Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement is an obvious choice for many former soldiers. In fact, the level of discipline and tactical training you received in the military makes you an ideal candidate for a career in law enforcement. Private Security If you're looking for a career that allows you to use your tactical training to your advantage, working for a private security firm is another outstanding choice. As a security guard, you will be responsible for protecting individuals, businesses and assets. Companies like Trident Security often prefer applicants with relevant experience. In this sense, the training you've received in the military can be put directly to use and makes you a much more desirable candidate than those without any type of formal training. Intelligence Analyst Although all military personnel are required to undergo some tactical training during boot camp, those who worked in some type of military intelligence role will also have received additional training that can also be put to good use upon leaving the service. In this case, a position as an intelligence analyst can be extremely rewarding—both personally and financially. Skilled intelligence analysts are always in high demand by both government agencies and private companies, and the majority of analysts are well compensated for their skills. Of course, this list is really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential post-military careers. Nonetheless, all three of the above jobs allow you to directly translate your military training into the civilian world, which should help you to make the transition back to normal life more smoothly.

History is so fascinating. Students learn about wars, famines, floods, conflicts between states and countries, and so much more. Having a military veteran for a history instructor can add so much more interest to your coursework experience. Some of the strengths they can bring to the classroom include: Experience Military veterans have the experience to understand the importance of history and how to apply it to everyday life. They may have studied firsthand the histories and geographical landmarks of countries they have toured. Mistakes and mishaps may have been prevented during battle because of their knowledge of previous issues. They may have passed on their skills and know-how to younger soldiers who greatly benefited from this legacy. Skill A veteran would have the skills necessary to present a class with facts, figures, and different scenarios of a war or other historical event. They may have been exposed to opposing countries' viewpoints of events that took place. Veterans may have insight as to what really happened behind the scenes at many skirmishes and battles. Stamina and Patience No one can try a teacher more than a disinterested and lethargic student. A military veteran has the patience and know-how to deal with such behavior. They may respond by making the lessons so fascinating that this type of student will sit up and take notice. Or they may challenge these students to read their history books on their own and give their own interpretation of events that took place. First-Hand Knowledge There are many times that soldiers and other military personnel have used tactics and maneuvers used making them masters in history . Or they may avoid mistakes made on other battlefields and in similar conflicts. Making sure history does not repeat itself and the same mistakes are not made is part of the importance of absorbing and knowing historical facts, figures, and information. Personal Interest Military veterans will be interested in the lessons they present. They may have actually visited some of the countries featured and stood on the battlegrounds that are discussed in class. They will be able to make history come alive with their own stories of travel and intrigue. Many veterans are great philanthropists , wanting to give back to those in need wherever they can. Teaching supplies them with some of the methodology to do just that, but they give back to the community in so many other ways. As is clearly shown, military veterans can make amazing history teachers. With their wealth of knowledge and experiences and everything that goes with that, students are going to experience classroom instruction that will intrigue and fascinate them. Take advantage of learning from this type of person while you are enrolled in their classes. You will learn so much and some of this you will be able to apply to your own life.

When you apply for a credit card or a loan to buy a house or car the potential lender will first review your credit score. If it is below a certain figure your application may be denied. To a lender your credit score implies the degree of risk they must undertake when granting you credit. They believe that if your score is low, the likelihood of your defaulting on the loan is high and they will lose money. Therefore, they will deny your application. They obtain the scores from credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies that maintain files containing consumers’ credit histories. Unless you have always paid cash for everything you bought, never financed a car or a house and haven’t carried a credit card in your lifetime, you have a credit history. There are three agencies that maintain files on people who have credit and that is just about everyone. These agencies are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Those files contain a record of your payments to your lenders. If any payment was ever late, that is on your record. The agencies evaluate this and other information and assign you a credit score. The lender uses that score not only to determine if they will grant you credit but also how much interest they will charge.   What determines your credit score? Various factors affect your credit score such as the length of time you have had credit, the amount of outstanding debt you have, and whether you pay off your credit card balances in full or carry them over from month to month. Those most important are whether you have had late payments and how many, whether you have ever declared bankruptcy and the amount of your outstanding debt.   Verifying your Credit Information You need to check the information that is on file about you to be sure it is accurate. You also need to check all three agencies. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com . These agencies do not exchange information. They do make mistakes. Identity theft does occur and you can be a victim. For all of these reasons you need to know what their files say about you.   Errors in your Credit History There is hardly anyone who has not at some time or other made a late payment. People are hospitalized unexpectedly, storms delay mail, and payments go astray in the mail. Any one or all of these events occur in everyone’s life.   When this happens you call your lender and explain the circumstances. They are understanding and often reverse the late fee. So you feel that all is well. But that may not be. The moment that payment was late, your lender reported you to the credit bureau they deal with. The credit bureau posted it to your file. When you rectified the matter with your lender, they may have sent a follow up report but maybe not. If they did send a report, the credit bureau may have neglected to adjust your file. Or one agency corrected your information but the others did not.   Credit Agencies Do Err These agencies are not infallible. Inaccurate information can be posted to your report. This is particularly true if you have a common name. For example, Jon Doe’s delinquent payment could easily be posted to John Doe’s account. Suppose Jon Doe purchased a $40,000.00 automobile and has $30,000.00 outstanding. And then imagine Jon Doe has five delinquent payments. If this debt is added to John Doe’s record his amount owed may be too high for him to obtain credit. And the delinquencies will lower his score even more. Credit reporting agencies maintain millions of files so it is very easy to err when inputting information. As easy as it is to error, the opposite is true in getting the error corrected. It is very difficult to have false information removed from your file or to have inaccurate information corrected. Although to err is human, most humans are reluctant to admit their errors.   Identity Theft Identity theft is becoming more common today. Technological advances have depersonalized business relationships. To lower operational costs credit card companies have outsourced record keeping to offshore companies who employ their nationals at below subsistence wages. These employees may be barely literate and not even know male from female names. Computers around the world store a wealth of personal information. Information technology security specialists strive to protect this information but hackers are adroit at accessing it. The result is anyone can be the victim of identity theft and be totally unaware it. This is why government agencies recommend that everyone check their credit history at least once a year. And when they check, they may find some credit repair is needed.   Correcting Errors The credit-reporting agency will not correct an error until directed to do so by the financial institution that submitted the information. So you will need to contact the financial institution in order to have them resubmit a correction. If the financial institution is not cooperative then you need to file a complaint. There are approved credit restoration companies that specialize in helping consumers correct credit reports. The advantage of employing a credit repair company is access to the services of highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who handle many complaints daily. They are alert to the latest scams and know the businesses with compliance issues.