Credit Scores
-
4 Situations When You Don’t Think Credit Matters, But It Really Does
There are times when you know with absolute certainty that your credit score matters. A mortgage lender isn’t going to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to someone who doesn’t pay his bills on time. And although bad credit won’t stop a car loan, a low score has its consequences, such as a higher auto loan rate. I say all…
Read More » -
How to Remove Collection Accounts from Your Credit Report (5 Steps)
Here are 5 simple steps that will help you remove collection accounts from your credit report. Did you get a copy of your credit report and found a collection item? Are you questioning the validity of these collection items? If so, you’re not alone. Many people who review their credit reports find inaccurate information. Federal law requires credit bureaus to…
Read More » -
10 Important Credit Score Questions to Ask Yourself
You have credit score questions. I hope to address 10 of the most common score related questions in this article. A credit score isn’t a difficult concept to grasp but there are nuances that can create confusion. If you’ve pulled your credit report and access your free credit score, I’m sure you’re wondering how in the high heavens were these…
Read More » -
28 Common Credit Report and Credit Score Myths Debunked
There are many credit report and credit score myths all over the internet and also shared among family and friends. So many of these myths continue to pop up so I felt it warranted an article that quickly identifies and debunk these myths. Here is a simplified list of 28 persistent credit report and score myths: Checking your credit reports…
Read More » -
How to Request Your Free Annual Credit Report
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) requires credit bureaus to provide consumers access to free credit reports once every 12 months. The three credit bureaus provide access to these reports through the only federally mandated website jointly operated by them: AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website mandated by federal law to get a free copy of your credit…
Read More » -
What are Credit Reports and Credit Scores? Key Terminology
A list of credit reports and scores key terminology to help you understand credit. Have questions? You can read the answers to the frequently asked questions about credit reports and scores. Table of contentsCredit reporting companyCredit reportCredit scoreFair Credit Reporting ActNo credit / Thin credit fileCredit inquiryTradelinesFraud alertIdentity theftSecurity freezeCredit report monitoring Credit reporting company The credit reporting agencies–more commonly…
Read More » -
Best Free Credit Score Apps 2021
So you’re wondering where you can get your free credit score? In the last few years, it has become easier to get access to free credit scores. In fact today, many banks and credit unions, credit card companies, and financial services apps offer users access to free credit scores. Here is my list of the best free credit score apps.…
Read More » -
Tips to Improve and Increase Credit Scores Quickly
So you want to increase your credit scores? It’s quite straightforward. The information found on your credit report is used to calculate your score. Therefore, first and foremost, the information on your report must be accurate. According to a study by the FTC, one in five people have errors in their report. To Improve Your Credit The first step is…
Read More » -
What are Credit Score Ranges?
Where do you fall in the credit score range? There’s a lot of emphasis on the exact score but it’s more important to know where your score falls in the range. What’s Considered Good Credit For a score with a range between 300-850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above…
Read More » -
How are Credit Scores Calculated
Credit scores are calculated using proprietary algorithms to assess information found in your credit file. A credit score is a numerical representation of your credit profile. It makes it easier for lenders to systematically make loan decisions. Credit scores are a reflection of how you’ve handled credit in the past and are used to determine your potential credit relationship in…
Read More »