Thinking about applying for a loan? Or maybe you are looking to buy a home. Your credit report will play a huge role in whether you get that loan or on what kind of mortgage plan you have. In today’s fast-paced life more people are using credit cards as it helps them in easing down their payment options. But, do credit card users actually realize the importance of a credit report? Credit report acts as an indicator to show how perfect you are in paying your dues.

Depending on how timely you pay your bills and keep up with financial responsibilities, a credit report can either make you or break you. Sometimes you may need to present your annual credit report to make things easy. Wise use of credit cards ensures that you maintain a healthy credit score. According to Fair Isaac and the Consumer Federation of America a credit score of 700 is a sign of financial health, but sadly only 13% of the consumers correctly understand that such a credit score can qualify them for the lowest rates of interest in various secured and unsecured loans. In a recent survey report published by BusinessWeek, it has been found that though Fair Isaac scores generally move between 550 and 800, nearly 20% of the total US population has credit scores under 620 (which is the cut-off for a prime-rate borrowing).

The credit report consists of a very important compilation of personal identifiers such as Social Security Number, current and past addresses, and even your present employer. Besides the personal information, it also contains information about your borrowings, credit cards, and any other reported debts. Negative items such as overdue or charged-off accounts may remain in your credit report for a period of up to 7 years, while bankruptcies may continue to show up on the report for 10 years, thereby terribly affecting your credit rating.

In order to know about the ways to improve your credit score you can check the various websites which offer credit repair solutions. With this knowledge you can use your credit report as a tool to build your credit score. Once you have raised your credit score to a healthy number, it will be easier to maintain a stable financial life. Checking your credit report is also simple, there are many websites online that now offer free credit reports!

Learn more about credit card debt. Stop by John Smith’s site where you can find out all about credit debt tips and what it can do for you.