Tag: CIBIL

  • WHY DO CREDIT CARD ISSUERS LOWER CREDIT LIMITS?

    WHY DO CREDIT CARD ISSUERS LOWER CREDIT LIMITS?

    CREDIT CARD ISSUERS

    Credit card issuers can often increase or decrease credit limits without notice, even lowering your limit to the point where you have no credit available. If you don’t have any accessible credit, you won’t be able to make any purchases until you clear some of your current debt. Sometimes, they generally cut credit lines to help manage their business and risk. They may also cut credit lines when their overall credit portfolios need to be adjusted if the economy is tenuous. In such cases, seeking a professional credit report fixing service can help you understand how these changes impact your overall financial profile.

    Here Are Some Common Triggers For Credit Line Reductions:

    • Inactive Account Status

    The two major ways credit card issuers profit from their accounts are transaction fees and interest on rolling sums. Because credit card companies can only provide consumers a certain amount of credit, if you don’t use your card and don’t have a balance, your credit limit may be reduced to allow the company to lend to someone else.

    • Maxed Out Of Credit Line

    However, maxing out a credit line, going over your credit limit frequently, missing payments, or changing your purchasing habits may indicate to the card issuer that you’re in danger of default. A card issuer may reconsider your credit line due to risk if your credit score has recently dropped or you have a high credit use rate generally. If your score has plummeted due to inaccuracies, utilizing credit report repair services may be necessary to dispute errors.

    However, maxing out a credit line, going over your credit limit frequently, missing payments, or changing your purchasing habits may indicate to the card issuer that you’re in danger of default. A card issuer may reconsider your credit line due to risk if your credit score has recently dropped or you have a high credit use rate generally.

    • Adjustments in Lending Portfolios

    Card companies may adjust their credit limits in response to changes in the law or their own goals. Because card issuers are legally limited in the amount of credit they can provide, they may choose to reduce credit limits to fulfill these risk requirements or to boost overall profitability.

    • Economy Factors

    The way credit card issuers assess credit risk can be influenced by major economic factors. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, created considerable economic disruption and uncertainty between 2020 and 2021, prompting some credit card firms to tighten their belts and reduce credit lines. During the Great Recession of 2008, a similar scenario emerged.

    How Your Credit Limit Is Determined

    Your credit card limit is determined by various things. First and foremost, the type of card matters. Some credit cards only offer a single credit limit regardless of the cardholder’s credit score, income, or other financial information.

    Other cards have a range of credit limits. Cardholders with lesser incomes, credit scores, and negative credit histories would receive smaller amounts, while those who are better qualified would receive bigger amounts. Your income, debt-to-income ratio, credit history, and other credit cards you hold, as well as their restrictions, all play a role in determining your credit limit. If you find discrepancies in your history, consulting credit report fixing companies can provide a path to correcting your records.

    How Does a Lower Credit Limit Affect Your Credit?

    If you have a balance, a lower credit line means less available credit, which can affect your credit utilisation percentage. What is the process of credit utilisation? Assume you have a Rs.25,000 balance on a Rs.100,000 credit card. On that card, your credit usage percentage is 25%, which is normally regarded low enough to avoid serious credit score damage. Low credit utilisation might help you keep your credit because it is one of the most essential variables in your credit score.

    Let’s say your credit card company lowers your credit limit to Rs.50,000. If your balance remains unchanged, your credit usage will increase to 50%. Credit experts recommend that you keep your credit use below 30%, therefore your new utilisation ratio of 50% is high and could harm your credit score. If you have a high revolving balance, you’re also more exposed. Your utilisation ratio will not alter if your card’s balance is zero, but it may limit the card’s usefulness if you need to carry a balance in the future. If you are struggling with a sudden drop in your score in the local market, reaching out to a reliable credit report agency in India can help you navigate the recovery process.

    What to Do if Your Credit Card Issuer Reduces Your Credit Limit

    If your credit card company suddenly cut your credit limit, below-mentioned are some simple steps you can take.

    • Call Your Card Issuer and Ask Why They Reduced Your Limit

    Call the number on the back of your card for customer support. Be courteous yet strict. Request that the customer service representative explain why your credit limit was reduced and what you may do to change it.

    “As a consumer, you have the right to contact the lender and inquire as to why they did it.”

    • Plead Your Case

    Bring up any indicators of your creditworthiness, such as a strong payment history, a high credit score, or a healthy income. Request that your former credit limit be reinstated by the issuer. For pleading your case, anything that works in your favour is fair game. It’s not a given that the call representative will change your restriction, but making a persuasive (and respectful) case won’t hurt.

    • Decide On What Your Next Move Will Be

    If you’ve been a good customer, the issuer may opt to restore your credit limit. They might or might not. Accept the new credit limit, which will most likely increase over time if you use your card responsibly. If you’re not happy, consider getting a new credit card and transferring your balance.

    Bottom Line

    If your credit utilization has increased as a result of a credit limit reduction, work on paying off your remaining debt to bring it back into line. To prevent missing a payment and damaging your credit, make your monthly debt payments on time. If you need new credit, apply for it, but be strategic: Make as few hard inquiries as possible on your credit.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. Can a credit card company reduce your limit without telling me?

    Yes, most credit card agreements allow issuers to reduce credit limits at any time without prior notice. However, they are usually required to send a notice after the change has been made, especially if it was based on your credit behavior.

    2. Will a lower credit limit hurt your credit score?

    It can. A lower limit reduces your available credit. If you carry a balance, your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your limit you are using) will go up. A higher utilization ratio often leads to a decrease in your credit score.

    3. Why would an issuer reduces your limit if I’ve always paid on time?

    Inactivity is a common reason. If you don’t use the card, the issuer may reallocate that credit to a more active customer. Other reasons include economic downturns or the issuer’s internal risk management changes.

    4. How can a credit report agency in India help me after a limit reduction?

    A credit report agency can provide you with a detailed breakdown of your credit health. If your limit was reduced due to a drop in your score, the agency can help you identify if there are errors or defaults listed that shouldn’t be there, which you can then address through professional services.

    5. Is it possible to get my original credit limit back?

    Yes. You can call your issuer’s customer service line to “plead your case.” If you can demonstrate a stable income and a history of on-time payments, they may consider reinstating your previous limit.

  • HDFC CIBIL SCORE

    HDFC CIBIL SCORE

    Check Our CIBIL Score Before applying for HDFC Loans

    What is CIBIL Score? 

    The Credit Information Bureau of India Ltd. (CIBIL) is India’s oldest credit information provider.

    Your CIBIL score determines creditworthiness, a three-digit number between 300 and 900. The creditworthiness of the individual is higher when the CIBIL score is higher. The value represents the lender’s confidence in the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Many factors are considered when calculating a CIBIL score, including repayment patterns, credit history, open accounts, debt levels, and utilization of available credit.

    Individuals’ CIBIL scores determine how much credit they are eligible to receive and at what rate and for how long they will receive the loan.

    How much is CIBIL score ideal for getting a loan from HDFC Bank?

    CIBIL scores range from 300 to 900; any score over 700 is considered good enough for HDFC loan approval. For some loans, the cut-off might be higher. As a result of a higher credit score, you are more likely to get your loan approved since it indicates a responsible repayment record.

    What factors affect HDFC CIBIL score?

    Pay attention to a few factors that affect your HDFC CIBIL score to ensure high loan approval chances.

    • Credit utilization Ratio

    Your credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit you use compared to your preferred credit limit. You will have a poor HDFC Credit score if you constantly exceed 30% of your credit limit. Maintain a good credit score by staying within this limit. For a credit limit of around one lakh, spend approximately 30,000/- per month.

    • The behavior of the borrower

    When you check your HDFC credit score, it reflects your behavior as a borrower; whether you have made timely payments determines your credit score. A single late payment can negatively impact your credit score. Maintain a good CIBIL score for HDFC Bank loan by paying all your bills, debts, and other obligations on time.

    • Multiple credit card and loan applications 

    Your HDFC CIBIL score will be affected if you constantly apply for credit cards and loans at different banks. If you already have a credit card, do not apply for another card soon, and take some time  off before applying for other credit cards. Even with loans, do not apply for another one if you already have a loan under your name. It will help you maintain a decent credit score.

    • Credit mix

    Those with excellent credit scores are more likely to have unsecured and secured loans. When applying for a loan in HDFC bank or credit card, ensure a credit mix of secured and unsecured loans. 

    • Credit History length 

    If you have a long credit history, then its more likely that your loan may get approved. A long credit history means the borrower has responsibly made all past payments on time. Lenders rely on and provide loans to those who have extended credit histories.

    Probable Reasons for HDFC Bank Loan Rejection

    • Low CIBIL Rating – As mentioned in the introduction, if your CIBIL score is low and your CIBIL history is poor, you will have difficulty getting an HDFC Bank loan.
    • Age – HDFC Bank Loans require a minimum age of 21 and a maximum of 65. Your age determines your repayment tenure, which is why it is essential to be in this eligible criteria.
    • Income: It is often the case that the loan amount does not coincide with your income bracket. As a result, you do not meet the minimum income requirement. As a result, your loan application will be rejected.
    • Employer’s Credentials – HDFC Bank has a list of companies to which it does not provide loans. You are unlikely to receive a loan if you work for one of these companies.

    How to improve the low credit score of HDFC Bank?

    Poor credit scores can limit your borrowing options. Users with low credit scores are generally restricted from utilizing credit cards to their full potential by banks. Loan benefits are not offered to those who have poor credit scores. 

    If you are wondering how to improve your CIBIL score, follow the following steps.

    • Make sure you pay all your bills, EMIs, and debts on time to avoid late fees. Late payments affect your credit score immensely.
    • Do not apply for multiple loans in a short period as your HDFC CIBIL report might get affected in the long run. It will show that you are in desperate need of money with no patience.
    • Maintain a record of your credit history to avoid all kinds of minor and major errors.
    • Make sure you have a mix of both secured and unsecured loan to build a good credit score. The credit card is unsecured. Whereas home loans, auto loans, and car loans are secured loans. A credit mix can improve your CIBIL score if you pay your bills promptly.

    How does HDFC Bank calculate credit scores?

    As with other banks and financial institutions, your HDFC CIBIL score ranges from 300 to 900 based on your creditworthiness. Several factors are taken into consideration by HDFC bank to calculate your credit score.

    • The HDFC bank calculates your payment history thoroughly. It will hugely impact your creditworthiness. If you are a borrower who has been making payments on time, it will reflect on your HDFC credit score.
    • Your credit score is also heavily influenced by your credit utilization ratio. Having a healthy and balanced spending habits may help build a minimum CIBIL Score. To maintain a good credit score, applicants should use about 30% to 40% of their monthly credit limit.
    • HDFC bank officials also review your total bank accounts and the details while calculating your HDFC CIBIL score. A credit mix of both secured and unsecured loans, might help you have a higher credit score.
    • Your age, as well as the length of your credit history, are taken into consideration by the HDFC

    FAQ’S

    1. Can frequent checking of the CIBIL score damage it?

    A. Before sanctioning any loan or credit card application, the lenders check your CIBIL score. Your credit score may be affected due to frequent inquiries made within a short period of time. On the other hand, you can make a soft inquiry which is allowed as a part of systematic inquiry, Making a soft inquiry does not harm the credit score of the person. It is also considered to be a healthy practice.

    2. Can I check my CIBIL score using my PAN card?

    A. Yes. The PAN card is one of the many identification documents that can be used to check your credit score. With CreditMantri, you can check your credit score for free using your PAN number.

    3. Why is your Credit Score important?

    To help borrower lend you money and to decide whether you are a good candidate for them who will pay the loan on time, its essential to have a good credit score. 

    Your credit score plays an important role to help you meet urgent expenses like medical, family event, support your loved ones. A low credit score can impact your eligibility and may cause rejection of your applied loan. 

    HDFC bank offers personal loans with several benefits, like an affordable interest rate along with easy pay EMI’s through several modes. After repaying the loan, you can maintain a healthy Credit Score.

    4. How much time it takes to improve your CIBIL score with a gold loan?

    The time taken to improve your CIBIL credit score with a gold loan cannot be defined as it depends on many other factors. Keep paying the debt on time and in full if you want to see your CIBIL score improve. Whenever you make a repayment, the lender reports it to the credit bureau, which reflects on your CIBIL score. 

    5. Where and how can I get a free CIBIL score or CIBIL report?

    You can get one time free CIBIL report by logging into myCIBIL. Sign in to myCIBIL, go to the ‘My Account’ tab at the top right of the screen, and click on the ‘Get your Free Report’ link. If you are not a member, click here to get your free CIBIL Score & Report and just follow the below-mentioned process.

    Reference links:

    • https://www.bankbazaar.com/cibil/cibil-score-for-personal-loan-in-hdfc-bank.html
    • https://www.paisabazaar.com/cibil/cibil-score-for-hdfc-personal-loan/
    • https://www.mymoneymantra.com/credit-score/hdfc
    • https://cred.club/check-your-credit-score/articles/cibil-score-for-hdfc-personal-loan
    • https://housing.com/news/hdfc-bank-personal-loan-and-minimum-cibil-score-required/
  • PROVEN WAYS TO BUILD AND INCREASE YOUR CIBIL SCORE

    PROVEN WAYS TO BUILD AND INCREASE YOUR CIBIL SCORE

    A credit score plays a vital role when applying for a credit card or loan. It is a three-digit number that reflects an individual’s creditworthiness to financial organizations or banks. To calculate your credit score, your credit history is analyzed, consisting of information like your payment history, the number of credit cards in use, and your total number of loans. In India, there are four main credit information companies: CIBIL, Experian, Highmark, and Equifax.

    A good credit score enhances your chances of securing a credit card or a loan, while a low score can hinder your financial progress. Banks often avoid lending to individuals with low scores due to the perceived risk. Even if you do secure a loan with a low score, you may face lower credit limits or significantly higher interest rates. Therefore, it is essential to focus on credit report repair to enhance your standing.

     Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

    There are various ways through which you can improve your credit score. Have a look at them:

    1. Go through your credit report

    One of the most vital things you must do is regularly review your personal credit report. This allows you to recognize errors, such as incorrect personal details or accounts you never opened. If there are mistakes, you should contact credit report fixing companies or use professional credit report repair services to rectify them quickly. Since your score is derived from this data, ensuring your report is error-free is the first step toward a better score.

    1. Make a payment on your outstanding bills.

    When you have any outstanding credit bills or loans, you should pay them off as fast as possible to enhance your credit score. While calculating your credit score, your payment history is taken into consideration. When you have a history of delayed payments, your score becomes low.

    One of the best ideas is activating payment alerts or an auto-debit facility to make sure that you always pay off your outstanding credit bills or EMIs on time. Also, never make the mistake of paying off only the minimum amount, as it will enhance your card’s outstanding balance. Instead, try to pay off the full bill to keep the outstanding bill low.

    1. Use of credit

    It is another big factor that is considered during the calculation of a credit score. The amount of credit available to you and how much you are using narrates your dependency on credit money.

    Therefore, it is recommended that people keep their credit usage below 30%. So, when you have varied credit cards, check how much money you are utilizing on your credit cards. Also, try to look for a credit card issuer that accepts various payments in one month.

    1. Never eradicate old accounts from the report.

    Some people tend to remove their old accounts or deactivate their accounts with negative history from their credit report to make the report look good. Some people even remove their old debts after clearing them. But it would help if you kept in mind that this is not a smart move; rather, it can harm your credit score.

    So after paying off your debts, please keep them in your credit report, as it shows your creditworthiness, enhancing your credit score.

    1. Plan your credit

    Most people whose credit scores have fallen radically have not planned their finances properly. For instance, if you have applied for a lot of credit cards just to enhance your credit limit but cannot pay your bills on time, you end up increasing your outstanding bill, along with a delayed payment history and reduced credit score.

    Also, when you apply for any unplanned loan, it leaves you in a bad financial state when you cannot repay it. Thus, you need to plan your credit well and apply for a credit card or loan only when required, and make sure you will be able to pay the money that you borrow on time.

    1. Debt consolidation

    If you have a lot of debts, you can use this for your benefit. You can take a debt consolidation loan from the bank or credit union. It would help if you kept in mind that you can pay your debt fast to lower your rate of interest.

    Another way for consolidating credit card balance is through the transfer of balance. Some credit cards possess a promotional period where they charge 0% interest on your card balance. But the fee for the balance transfer will cost you between 3% to 5% of the whole amount.

    Wrapping Up

    When the matter is about enhancing your credit score, there is no one single solution that fits all. It is vital to remember that each person’s credit journey is different. While several factors apply to many consumers, they will not always affect everybody’s credit score in the same way.

    While personal scores are well-known, a business credit report (also known as a company credit report or corporate credit report) is equally vital for entrepreneurs. It tracks the financial health of a registered entity rather than an individual.

    If you are a business owner, you should regularly check business credit report details to ensure your company remains eligible for expansion capital. There are several reasons to check company credit report data, including monitoring for identity theft, ensuring supplier trust, and preparing for large-scale credit reports for business audits by lenders. If your enterprise is based in South India, seeking a specialized provider for a business credit report in Bangalore can help you navigate local commercial lending requirements.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. What are the typical credit report charges in India?

    The credit report charges vary by bureau. While individuals are entitled to one free basic report per year from bureaus like CIBIL or Experian, detailed monthly subscriptions or one-time “Premium” reports can range from ₹160 to ₹1,200 depending on the depth of the data and the frequency of updates.

    2. How long does it take for credit report repair to show results?

    Most updates take 30 to 45 days to reflect on your report after a dispute is resolved. However, building a significantly higher score through better habits typically takes 3 to 6 months of consistent on-time payments.

    3. Does my personal credit score affect my business?

    For startups and small businesses, lenders often check both the personal credit report of the founder and the corporate credit report of the firm. As the company grows, the business credit report becomes the primary document used for securing higher credit limits.

    4. Can I fix my credit report myself?

    Yes, you can raise disputes directly with credit bureaus for free. However, many people prefer credit report repair services or credit report fixing companies for complex issues, such as resolving “suit filed” statuses or correcting cross-account errors.

  • 5 Green Flags That Reveal that Your Client Will Pay On Time

    5 Green Flags That Reveal that Your Client Will Pay On Time

    There are a lot of warning signs or red flags that your clients may be paying you late. However, warning signs could be readily disregarded. On the other side, green flags provide a sense of security and reliability. The more green flags you see, the more confident you can be that your company is dealing with the appropriate clients—clients who value your collaboration and respect your time—and that you are handling accounts receivable correctly.

    Let’s take a closer look at five signs that your client will make their payments on time.

    1. Appropriate Move from Sales

    The transfer of responsibility to accounts receivable is crucial if the sales department closed the contract. This indicates that prior to gaining the client’s business, account receivables and the credit department were involved in assessing the client’s credit application and/or their payment history. At the very least, sales and accounts receivable are working together to make sure the client is aware of what they owe and when, even if the credit department isn’t involved.

    2. Regular Communication

    You can gasp with relief if your client contact or accounts payable department is easily reachable by phone or email. Consistent communication is an excellent indicator that you can get in touch with someone if you have any queries, issues, or need to check up on an invoice. It also implies that your client is most likely trustworthy and will honour their commitment to make payments on schedule.

    3. Proper Invoicing

    Clients will usually pay on time if they know about description of goods or services provided, how much to pay, when to pay, who to pay and how to pay. If you include all of this information on your invoices along with any other necessary information (contract details, account number, etc.), your client won’t have many reasons not to pay you on time.

    4. Accounting History

    Although this appears obvious, it shouldn’t be disregarded. When a client has a solid payment history with you or another party, they are more likely to make payments on schedule to your company. It’s a given that customers will continue to support your business if they have been paying you on time. Otherwise, a company credit check could show that they have a history of making their payments on time for other accounts they owe, giving you peace of mind.

    5. Simple Ways to Pay

    Your client is more likely to pay on time if you offer simple payment options like direct deposit, ACH, or credit card. Even better is when the accounts payable division informs you or your accounts receivable division that payment has been completed and when you might anticipate it showing up in your bank account. They trust you and want to continue paying you if they’re prepared to set up these simple payment choices for your company.

    Final Thoughts

    Green flags do not guarantee that your client will never make a late payment. They are therefore less prone to make a late payment. Your accounts receivable department can set up several of these items to safeguard your interests. In other words, your cash flow will appreciate you for the work you put into properly invoicing and communicating.

    If you value the overall health of your company, you must take debtor management seriously and consistently. On contracts, quotes, and invoices, include a clear statement of your payment terms. Don’t continue to supply someone who doesn’t intend to pay, and don’t give credit to anyone.

    Last but not least, remain prominent in the customer’s mind so that when they plan payments, they think of you first. You’ll be well on your way to successful debtor management and business operations if you observe the above mentioned green flags in your client.

  • How Does Skip Tracing Work For Debt Collection?

    How Does Skip Tracing Work For Debt Collection?

    Tips for Debt Collection Using the Skip Tracing Technique.

    Are you experiencing significant late payments?

    Are these jeopardizing your cash flow?

    Getting paid by customers when invoices are due is vital for any business.

    Debt collection is an activity clearly framed by law, which consists of using various means to obtain from a debtor the payment of the debt due. There are many types of debts.

    In the context of the company, we speak of trade receivables. Creditor means the natural or legal person to whom the debtor owes something. Debt collection often applies to the payment of a sum of money.

    What is Skip Tracing?

    Locating a person’s whereabouts is called skip tracing. A skip tracer is a person who finds the individual (the debtor). The methods used by a skip tracer are used to identify witnesses, lawyers, and process servers, as well as to assist in debt collection.

    A skip tracer gathers information about the target people and examines them to ascertain their current location. We might use many databases to obtain this data, including Facebook, phone number databases, social security numbers, and credit report databases. Skip Tracers will start making calls to find, and some might visit the area to verify. We can see the case using online information (mine social media and databases).

    When Do You Need Skip Tracing?

    When the defendant cannot be located

    Finding someone might be difficult, even if you know their email address. He will probably move to another location if he learns he has an open case. A trustworthy skip tracer is aware of where to start his search. He is aware of the most effective methods for finding the person.

    When you believe the person resides in a particular place

    You must ensure that a defendant or respondent receives the documents in accordance with the norms of processing to serve them successfully. However, you must consider a skip trace search if you are unable to find the defendants but have reason to believe they are residing at a particular place. Hire a skip tracer to carry out a quick or thorough skip trace to find out if your suspicions are true.

    When you want to make sure the suspect is alive or in jail

    Sometimes, the defendant may be shielded by friends and family who say he is dead or in jail. A trustworthy skip tracer should be your best choice in this situation. He will assist in obtaining the truth.

    Traditional Skip Tracing Techniques

    A skip tracer can gather information from a variety of sources. The more conventional information sources are listed below:

    1. Acquaintances

    Any of a person’s friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbours could be aware of their precise whereabouts. It could be challenging to pull information out of this group, but it might also help you find the target without needing additional skip tracing.

    2. Caller ID

    Send a letter to every place where the person might reside, letting people know you need to get in touch with them and leave a phone number. Your caller ID can record the phone number if the person ever contacts the number out of curiosity, which can subsequently be entered as a reverse phone search to disclose the individual’s present address.

    3. Corporate Documents

    Corporate filings that identify the locations of business officers may be available at the Secretary of State.

    4. Crime Stopper

    A criminal search may reveal information about the person’s incarceration or parole status.

    5. Directory Support

    Contact directory helps even if a phone line has been disconnected and gets phone numbers for nearby listings with the same last name.

    6. The Fraternal Orders

    If a person has been a longtime member of a fraternal organization, he or she might not be willing to end the affiliation. Instead, he or she will continue to give the group current contact information.

    7. Postal Service Address Change

    Send a blank envelope with the following stamp on the exterior to the target’s last-known address: “Do Not Forward – Address Correction Requested.” The postal service will eventually deliver the envelope back to the sender along with a label providing the target’s forwarding address. Of course, this strategy only functions if the person gives the postal service a forwarding address.

    8. Professional Permits

    If a person is certified by a state body, the organization that certified them ought to be aware of their contact information if they intend to keep using their certification.

    9. Telephone Reverse Directories

    When a phone number is entered in these directories, the address associated with the number is returned. Unfortunately, the information about unlisted numbers is not available in these directories.

    10. Search Engine

    Use quotation marks around the person’s name when entering it in a search engine to check whether any information about them comes up. Suppose the person has recently left town. In that case, it is less likely that you will get valuable information because general searches of this kind typically turn up somewhat older material.

    11. Telephone Directory

    Phone numbers and addresses may be found in printed and online telephone directories, but it’s more likely that only landlines will have access to this information.

    12. Track a third party

    Conduct a trace on the other person if the person has recently shared housing with someone else. The target might have returned to live with the third party.

    Boat and car registration information can be used to determine the owner’s address. However, the information may be a little outdated depending on how regularly the data are updated.

    13. Registration of voters

    An official voter registration list with names, residences, and birthdates is kept on file by the city government in the area. Therefore, it could be essential to have access to this data.

    Conclusion

    Skip tracing is a service many collection agencies provide, but you must choose carefully. Kenstone Capital has highly qualified staff, frequently audits its operations to ensure that laws and moral principles are upheld, and has ample financial resources. When a long-lost customer is eventually located, and their past-due payment is collected, you can be sure that we followed the correct procedures, which will reflect favorably on you.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1) What is the primary goal of skip tracing in debt collection?

    The primary goal of skip tracing is to locate a debtor who has “skipped” out on their financial obligations and can no longer be reached at their last known address or phone number. By using advanced databases and investigative techniques, a skip tracer finds the individual’s current whereabouts so that the debt collection process can proceed legally.

    2) Is skip tracing legal for collecting trade receivables?

    Yes, skip tracing is a legal activity clearly framed by law. Professional agencies like Kenstone Capital use ethical methods to gather information from public records, corporate filings, and social media to assist in obtaining payment for a debt due, ensuring all actions reflect favorably on the creditor.

    3) When should a business consider hiring a skip tracer?

    We should consider a skip trace search when a defendant cannot be located, when you suspect they are hiding at a specific location to avoid legal documents, or when you need to verify if a debtor is currently incarcerated or deceased. It is a vital tool when traditional contact methods fail to protect your cash flow.

    4) Can skip tracing find someone if they only have an email address?

    While having only an email address makes the search more difficult, a trustworthy skip tracer knows exactly where to start. By examining digital footprints and using telephone reverse directories or social media mining, they can often uncover a physical address or a current phone number linked to that digital identity.

  • WHAT IS DEBT COUNSELING? IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

    WHAT IS DEBT COUNSELING? IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

    Are you feeling ashamed that you’re overburdened with a mountain of debt or credit bills, don’t worry having debt on your head doesn’t make you a bad person.

    People going through a debt crisis can receive financial literacy along with freedom with the help of debt counseling. Yes, considering a debt counselor might work for you.

    About Debt Counseling

    Debt counseling is a financial service provided and crafted for educating people. People will cram and know how to pay off all debts and prevent evasions on their responsibilities.

    Debt counseling offers a good understanding of what you are spending versus what you are earning every month and how much you pay in every budget category. You are advised on where to lower your spending for meeting all monthly commitments, thereby making the debt plan attainable and offering you a well-structured strategy for becoming free from debt.

    What does a Debt Counselor do?

    Here, the debt management team will provide a session involving a proper analysis of the customer’s financial situation. This analysis includes evaluating strategies for debt reduction, either for paying off or debt management, and educating people on budget management.

    Debt counseling assists customers besieged with enormous debt but wish to make some changes and control their financial lives. A debt counseling session also evaluates and completes the analysis of the total expenses rate of interest and the outstanding balance.

    After determining the economic circumstances, a debt management plan is put together, and when you are content with the whole proceeding, it is executed. The pending amount is paid off in small installments but through an extended period.

    Steps To Follow While Considering Debt Counseling

    • Contacting a counselor:
      The first step in debt counseling is getting a debt counselor from a renowned credit counseling agency.
    • Finance reviewing:
      Debt counseling will result in two main things. First, it might end up finishing the call for visiting another counselor for a better understanding of financial health. The second goal is leaving with a plan of action. To achieve these goals, debt counseling sessions start with a complete review of debt finances, incomes, and other things.
    • Getting recommendations from debt counselor:
      Everybody’s financial situation is diverse. Due to that, your debt counselor offers you personalized advice depending on your financial review.
    • Decide and Begin your Journey:
      After receiving recommendations, it is your time to decide if you want to board on your journey towards freedom from debt. After accepting the plan, your journey starts.
    • Several non-profit debt managing agencies provide you with some extra services for addressing your specific goals, which involves programs to assist you in repaying debt, rehabilitating delinquent mortgages, proper management of loan payments, and many more services.

    Outcomes and benefits of debt counseling

    Once you are done with your budget assessment, the debt counselor explains the debt management plan for reaching your financial goals.

    A good debt counseling agency offers a service that helps you live a stress-free life by managing all your outstanding amounts on your behalf. Many of them provide free counseling sessions for those searching for debt-free solutions.

    A good debt counseling agency offers complete information as an extra resource. If you require an explanation of any of the questions you might have, you can attend a free counseling session. In big words, financial education helps you to manage your money better and stay out of debt in the coming days.

    What are the different benefits of debt counseling?

    • Your money habits improve: This is one of the significant benefits of applying for debt counseling. It teaches you to use cash carefully and spend less. Once you have mastered it, you can easily create wealth without any debt.
    • Debt reviewing becomes flexible.
    • Your assets remain protected when you are under debt review: When someone applies for debt counseling, the counselor approaches the court to obtain an order to bind the restructuring plan negotiated with the credit providers. This stops recovery activity from the credit provider, debt collectors, and lawyers.
    • Reduction of interest rates while under debt review: The whole restructuring plan includes relooking and decreasing interest rates with the credit providers.
    • You have to pay a decreased affordable monthly amount that pays off all your accounts: While under debt counseling, the customer can pay one reasonable installment amount.

    In simple words, a debt counseling session with a good
    agency allows you to;

    • Get a complete review of your financial situation.
    • Reviewing creditor harassment you might be receiving and discussing how to reduce it.
    • Know about various advantages and disadvantages of bankruptcy.
    • Know about different spending habits and how to spend very wisely.
    • How to prepare a better budget.
    • Discussing the execution of the debt plan and making payment of an amount that you can afford.

     Know how your debt plan reduces harassment from
    collecting agents and creditors.

    So, if you are struggling with yourself for debt, it is often recommended to go for a debt counseling session. A good debt counselor listens to you for understanding all of your financial circumstances and offers you the best advice possible.

    When you are happy to proceed with the debt management plan to pay an amount that you can afford, your creditor stops the harassment.

  • TAKING A LOAN AGAINST CREDIT CARD: 5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW

    TAKING A LOAN AGAINST CREDIT CARD: 5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW

    Money is the call of the day. It is impossible to run our day-to-day activities without considering money. A scarcity of money is the worst situation one would never be one to face. But such conditions do come around, where you might have a requirement to fulfil or execute and you need financial strength in that regard. That’s when you give yourself the thought of borrowing a loan. This instant monetary help will provide you with a significant boost in your prospects.

    A credit card happens to be a tool with which you can gather these kinds of loans. You can use it for buying something or other necessary transactions. The money that you spend gets added to your credit balance. You have to pay back this money to the bank or other financial lending institution you are using the credit card of, with a stipulated interest. There is a specified period within which you have to pay back the loan. The part varies from banks to financial institutions, with natural interests ranging from 35 to 40%

    However, have you ever thought about the various intricacies concerning taking loans via credit cards? If not, then this article is what you need to read. We will tell you all the necessary points, and you cannot overlook them while taking a loan via a credit card.

    1. SIDE EFFECTS OF LATE PAYMENTS:

    Let us say that you have applied for a loan. If you are inconsistent with paying back the loans, that can adversely affect your application. Or if you are using your credit card frequently without having any concern about repaying the money, that will harm your prospects. Indulging in late payments can adversely affect your chances of getting a top-up loan.

    Though many banks and financial institutions provide a top-up loan to their credit cardholders, it is necessary to have a clean credit card history of making things smooth. Late payments of credit card bills will hamper your wishes for a loan in the future. That’s why even experts emphasize this aspect.

    2. EFFECTS OF MAKING DEFAULT IN YOUR PAYMENT:

    A default in your payment refers to your loan default and not your credit card default. A significant difference lies between defaults on credit card repayments and that of defaults in loan repayments.

    A credit card default will have a significant impact on your credit score. However, a default on loan against your credit card is under the purview of loan defaults, and that will harm your future loan prospects.

    3. CHARGES FOR PROCESSING:

    While taking a loan against your credit card, there will be a processing charge attached to this particular function. It depends on the loan amount approved. Usually, the processing charge ranges from 1 to 5%.

    4. THE INTEREST LEVIED ON TRANSACTIONS VIA CREDIT CARDS:

    There is an associated amount which is the interest for your loan amount against the credit cards. When you repay your loan, this interest is an added amount that you will have to repay.

    Let us say you have applied for a loan of around 70% of your credit card amount. Then the remaining amount becomes the interest you will have to bear. If you forget to or are unable to repay the loan within the stipulated time, a claim of around 35% per annum is applicable.

    5. THE OPTION OF PRE-CLOSING YOUR LOAN:

    Any individual can pre-close their loan before the expiry period of the card. You can do it in your case as well. As the experts say, if you pre-close your loan, it is unnecessary to inform the bank or the financial institution you are lending. But there are some pre-closure charges that the lender organization levies.

    We hope that we could give you insightful information concerning credit card loans. Next time, you apply for a loan or go for a top-up, then make sure that you keep the above points in mind. It will help you prevent unfavorable circumstances.

    • The number of credit cardholders in India amounted to 57.4 million as of April 2020.
    • There are 5715 credit card defaulters in India.
    • India saw nearly Rs. 25,000 crore wilful defaulter cases as of 14th July 2020.

    Are you looking to consult CIBIL Score Repair Agency? Contact us.

  • EXPELLING TOP 6 DEBT COLLECTION MYTHS

    EXPELLING TOP 6 DEBT COLLECTION MYTHS

    Yes, there exist myths in debt collection as well specifically, when you use a third-party for collection of debts you tend to hear a lot of such myths. They can even make you hesitate in your decision to hire a third-party. Collecting debts can tire you to focus on while in the middle of business. Debt-collecting agencies come to your aid at this point. They can help you get back your money smoothly.

    DEBT COLLECTION:

    Almost 56% of businesses have known to write off more than 1% of their turnover and lent capital as uncollectible. This percentage has continued to rise since 2013. Though it’s an alarming fact, you can still sort out the problem. Hiring debt collection agencies can help you a great deal with this. Debt collectors turn out as inhumane rather than the fact that they are demanding what belongs to them in the first place!

    So hiring people who can handle it in the right seems logical. Read further to understand some of the myths associated with debt collection. You can get to know the reality that prevails as well.

    Myths and reality about debt collection:

    We have discussed the top 6 debt collection myths below, for you to stay cautious from them jeopardising your decision.

    1. MYTH: YOU WILL FIND DEBT COLLECTION EXPENSIVE

    Reality:

    You will find that most debt-collectors do not ask for payment unless they succeed. They work on a success only basis. You will also find that the price they commission is very minimal. When you compare it to the money, you would have lost if you had written off the debt as uncollectible.

    2. MYTH: YOUR CUSTOMERS FIND IT UNFAVORABLE

    Reality:

    When you hire an excellent debt collecting agency, they prioritise your customer relationships as much as you do. They also take your brand very seriously and importantly, also just like you. At Kenstone Capital you will find the same. We aim and work towards a peaceful mediation when collecting debts, and we keep reminding and reaffirming them to pay.

    Yes, they can shun at the fact that you hired a debt collection agency, but you have done it only to get back what they owe. The capital entirely belongs to you, and you have the most exclusive rights to ask for it. They also have a duty towards you and your debt.

    3. MYTH: ONLY BIG COMPANIES HIRE DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES

    Reality:  

    More than thousands of small companies today, hire debt-collecting agencies. They do not get time to focus on debt-collections as their primary focus is on the business. They work towards improving it and marketing their brand, also they have a small team when it comes to small businesses. Thus everyone plays multiple roles, and they can’t form a team debt-collection team too! So when you hire a debt collection agency, you can focus more on your business improvement.

    4. MYTH: DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES ONLY WORK FOR ANCIENT DEBTS

    Reality:

    Research studies conducted on debt-collection portray that time of old debt reference, and the chances of collecting the debt are directly proportional. When you refer to the debt as early as possible the chances of you recovering goes up. So you can refer to debts in their early stages instead of waiting for it to become old or bad debt. Thus refer to agencies faster than chasing debts for months in-house.

    5. MYTH: YOU FIND SOLICITOR MORE EFFECTIVE

    Reality:

    Though there exists time and place for the legal system, you will find it very costly and time consuming. Instead, you can benefit from a good debt-collector and also avoid unnecessary problems.

    6. MYTH: YOU CAN DAMAGE YOUR BRAND WITH DEBT COLLECTION

    Reality:

    When it comes to reality, you only need to find a top-notch debt collector. The person respects your brand and smoothly gets the process done. You introduce a debt collection agency as part of your standard credit control process. When you do this, the agency complements your in-house collection efforts while simultaneously putting pressure on your debtors. This way, you get paid, and also your brand continues to reign.

  • 3 CRUCIAL STEPS MSMES SHOULD CONSIDER TO BE LOAN-READY

    3 CRUCIAL STEPS MSMES SHOULD CONSIDER TO BE LOAN-READY

    With MSME introduced in 2006 in India, it has become a pillar of the Indian economy, contributing a significant share of over 40 percent in its GDP and employment. MSMEs are vital in India and are also crucial for the global economy, where they have made substantial contributions over the decades.

    While MSMEs are still investigating how loans can help unleash their full potential, they may require quick and carefully guided access to funds to support their enterprises to reach their full potential.

    MSMEs stands for “micro, small, or medium enterprises.” Still, these smaller players are progressively ceding ground to larger companies because of the advancement in technology, and its adoption, which will help them scale up and stay competitive. The Indian government plays a significant role in its quickly growing status by assisting them to get their businesses started with inclusive initiatives and offerings.

    See What Statistics Says….

    According to the Union Budget 2021 – 22, Budget Allocation for FY 2021-22 for the MSME more than doubled to Rs.15700 crore vis a vis Rs.7572 crore in 2020-21.

    A recent report published by Reserve Bank of India also suggested that the MSME sector can get INR. 5,000 crore stressed asset fund as better access to credit.

    With these initiatives offered by the Indian government, MSMEs can focus on forging a bigger and better identity for themselves. MSMEs need faster, cheaper, and carefully guided access to funds, especially when they are still learning how loans and credits can help them and the enterprises unleash their full potential.

    IMPORTANCE OF CIBIL RANK FOR THE MSMES BUSINESSES

    In the last few years, the CIBIL score has helped MSMEs gain a better insight on loans and loan options that have helped them achieve faster and cheaper access to business loans. How? The CIBIL Rank allows us to understand the company’s future repayment capability, and it is a numeric summary of a company’s credit report and its past repayment trends.

    This score helps lenders decide whether to approve their business loan applications or not. It also helps them decide how much loan they should sanction. Once MSMEs get a better hold of how the formal credit landscape works, they can be better prepared to boost their loan-eligibility criteria and thus can leverage business loan opportunities when they require it the most.

    Below mentioned are three critical points that MSMEs should be aware of to build a high CIBIL Rank and become loan-readiness:

    1. PAYING LENDERS TIMELY, EVERY SINGLE TIME

    The relationship between a lender and a borrower is essential, as lenders play a vital role in reporting a borrowing company’s repayment patterns back to CIBIL.

    It is also a critical factor that helps determine the CIBIL rank, which is why MSMEs should focus on paying back their lenders on time and within the credit period and avoid defaulted or late payments—making all the costs timely will contribute to building a good and higher CIBIL score.

    So, next time they apply for a loan, a high CIBIL score will help them in their loan approval process.

    2. Apply Vigilantly

    While planning their growth strategies, MSMEs should look for a formal lending landscape while applying for credit. One should not resort to alternative lending sources to get faster and easier access to funds.

    These alternative funding sources may demand various collaterals as a guarantee and cause MSMEs to put their valuables (even property) on the mortgage. Such types of loans usually attract higher rates of interest.

    Thus, MSMEs should look for lenders with a formal credit landscape to get better offers and avoid the debt trap. Most importantly, they should choose their lenders depending on their company’s credit history and repayment capability. Also, to avoid getting into a debt trap, MSMEs should ensure applying for only as much credit as they truly need.

    3. Examine the CIBIL Rank and Company Credit Report (CCR) regularly

    A good/higher CIBIL score and a lower CIBIL Rank of an MSME represent its financial well-being and repayment capability. So, it’s crucial to constantly monitor the CIBIL rank and CCR of the company, which will, in turn, help them monitor their credit transactions and identify any errors. The lower the company’s rank is, the better the chances of their loan approval.

    Monitoring the CIBIL rank of the company is a crucial step, as some banks offer MSMEs business loans at a better, discounted rate of interest based on their CIBIL rank. Also, regular monitoring can keep them loan-ready and help leverage attractive offers when the opportunities arise.

    Final Thoughts

    It’s never too late to strengthen your credit rank and unleash your full potential. Starting today, MSMEs should focus on actively boosting their business’ loan-eligibility criteria and credit health by achieving a high CIBIL Rank- which is also a critical factor in determining your credit access in the future.

  • THE INDIAN CREDIT MARKET IS BECOMING WOMEN VIBRANT

    THE INDIAN CREDIT MARKET IS BECOMING WOMEN VIBRANT

    In recent years, India has noticed an increase in women consumers becoming a part of the credit landscape. There is a high rise in awareness and credit consciousness among women borrowers.

    As per the recent update by CIBIL, self-monitoring women are the ones who make the real difference. The Indian credit market has seen a rapid penetration and participation of women customers. Comparing the share of women borrowers to overall borrowers is about 26% as of September 2016, which was 21% in September 2013.

    See What Statistics Says…

    According to TransUnion CIBIL Insights, with an increasing number of women borrowers in the Indian credit market, about 30 million women borrowers are getting access to several credit products.

    Self-awareness and credit consciousness among the women borrowers have also seen a sharp increase, with self-monitoring women customers increasing by 62 percent between 2018 and 2019. It is double the 30% growth rate of self-monitoring makes customers as per the insights.

    Talking about these findings, the COO of TransUnion CIBIL, Harshala Chandorkar told that

    “The significant increase in the number of women who are seeking credit products is a promising indicator of the evolution of India’s credit market which has enabled increased economic opportunities for women borrowers. Financial institutions must unlock the significant potential that lies in customizing product constructs for women borrowers to further drive business growth and enable greater customer experience for women consumers.”

    All financial institutions should unlock the substantial prospective that lies in personalizing all product constructs for the women borrowers to dive into business growth and allow a better consumer experience for the women customers.

    TIER 1 CITIES HAVE MORE WOMEN CONSUMERS; WHY?

    Most of the women consumers are from tier 1 cities. As per the recent insights of TransUnion CIBIL insights, about 56 percent of women self-monitoring their credit score are from the state of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

    While Andhra Pradesh contributes only 5% to this sector, about 44 % go to avail a loan or a credit card within three months of going through their CIBIL Score and report.

    It depends on several factors like an increase in women’s education, enhanced consumption of customer durables in tier-1 and tier -2 markets, and an enhancement in several working women.

    As per TransUnion CIBIL, there will be further growth in demand for credit in the future among women. The research also states that an increasing number of business loans is seen from states having a maximum number of female MSME owners. This shows that they are credit conscious and are well-aware of the role of their CIBIL report for getting access to credit.

    WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS ATTRIBUTES HELPING WOMEN’S POSITIVE CREDIT BEHAVIOR?

    Different attributes stimulate the Indian woman’s growing use of credit, the choice of loan, and the credit-awareness. Some of them are:

    • Socio-economic status and changes in it
    • Attractive loans and credit card offerings by the banks and financial institutions that are specifically aimed at the woman consumer
    • Various supported initiatives by the Indian government like Nidhi-Prayaas and Mudra Yojana Scheme that aim to increase women entrepreneurship

    HOW ARE WOMEN LEVERAGING CREDIT?

    The CIBIL score and report change every three months, and women keeping track of these apply for at least one loan account or credit card. The data suggests that more than 50% of women utilize credit in this way. Out of this 50%, more than 35% could open a loan account or credit card. Not only these, within six months of checking their credit report, women have demonstrated credit consciousness, and more than 40% of them have also improved their credit score.

    The average Score of a good CIBIL is 734, and the data suggests that women self-monitoring their credit score have a High Score than the average CIBIL that is 726. Fascinatingly self-monitoring, millennial women customers have a high average score of 735, specifying that 64 percent of self-monitoring women customers are millennials.

    The Indian Credit and loan sector lenders prefer to take an onboard credit-conscious customer who can obey the loan agreement and can repay the whole amount entirely on time. The CIBIL Score and report of any customer reflect their credit consciousness. It has been said by Sujatha Ahlawat, who is the VP and Head of Direct to consumer interactive, TransUnion CiBIL.

    HOW CAN WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO MORE CREDIT?

    Women can boost their eligibility to meet their financial goals by following these key steps:

    • Ensure to create and maintain a positive credit profile
    • Access credit cards cautiously and apply for loans or credit cards that are designed just for women
    • Take a durable consumer loan to build a credit footprint and a favorable credit profile
    • Pay your credit bills and EMI on time, every time
    • Check and monitor your CIBIL Score regularly
    • Be aware of your credit utilization ratio
    • Maintain a balance of the secured and unsecured loan

    Conclusion

    Women are revolutionizing the credit landscape, and maintaining a healthy credit score can go a long way and may turn your dreams into reality. Also, this enhancement in credit demand and acceptance by women provides excellent opportunities to the whole credit industry to personalize products and services that can better meet the financial needs of women borrowers.