How to dispute credit report errors for free
It’s entirely common to find an error on your credit report — but here’s the good news: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute incorrect or inaccurate items on your […]
Interest rates: Here’s how they work
Shopping around for a loan or credit card makes one thing very clear: Borrowing money isn’t free. While the types of fees can vary, interest is generally a given. In simple terms, interest is the […]
Get your free weekly credit report. Here’s how
If the state of your credit is a top concern while the coronavirus pandemic rages on, you aren’t alone. With millions at least temporarily unemployed, financial hardship and the credit implications that could follow are a […]
How to spot a credit-repair-scam
Have you been rejected for new credit or denied the best rates because of negative marks on your credit report? Then it might be time to consider repairing your credit. Credit repair might seem complicated, but […]
Look out for these debt collection red flags
Maybe you’ve gotten the call: Someone says they are collecting on a debt you owe and if you don’t agree to pay on the spot, the police will show up to cart you off to […]
APR: What it is & how it’s calculated
If you’ve ever taken out a loan or opened a credit card, you’ve likely seen the term Annual Percentage Rate, or APR. While this might seem like a fancy way of saying “interest rate,” they […]
7 tips to improve your credit in the new year
If this year wasn’t the kindest to your credit, there are plenty of steps you can take to get it back on the right track. Check out a few tips to improve your credit you might […]
How many points will my credit score drop if …?
Sometimes managing credit and monitoring your credit score can feel like a game of chess. But while the credit impact of certain financial moves may feel like a mystery, there are some general guidelines surrounding […]
Why do payday loans get a bad rap?
With big, bright signs offering quick cash, storefronts for payday loans are hard to miss. But while they may offer plenty of promises for easy financial help, there’s more to them than meets the eye. […]
How to freeze your credit report
Data breaches increased by an alarming 33% from 2018 to 2019, leaving some to consider if a credit freeze is the best way to keep sensitive information away from thieves. But what does a credit freeze entail […]
How your credit score affects your ability to get a mortgage
When it comes to credit score requirements for landing a mortgage, there are a variety of factors at play — like the type of mortgage you’re applying for and your specific lender requirements. If you’re […]
Here’s how to ‘lock’ your credit report
Why would you want to lock your credit? A study of 2019 data collected by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gives plenty of reasons. Reports of credit fraud (both the use of existing accounts and opening new […]
How to write a credit dispute letter that really works
It’s entirely common to find an error on your credit report — and that’s where the credit dispute letter comes into play. But first things first — to actually file a dispute you will need a […]
Will COVID-19 wreck everyone’s credit?
According to data recently collected by TransUnion, many are still weathering a brutal financial storm thanks to COVID-19. Of the 58% who report being financially impacted, 70% are concerned about their ability to pay current […]