What is a Good Credit Score?
What is a Good Credit Score? Credit for Beginners by David B. Coulter Share Share Email A good credit score is a credit score of 700 or higher. Your credit score is one of the most crucial elements affecting your economic potential. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey, looking to apply for a loan, […]
How to Check All Three of Your Credit Scores
How to Check All Three of Your Credit Scores Credit for Beginners by Staff Writer Share Share Email Why do you have three credit scores, and how do you check them? Whether you’re planning to apply for a loan, rent an apartment, or simply ensure your financial well-being, regularly monitoring your credit scores from Equifax, […]
Are Utilities Reported to The Credit Bureaus? Not yet, but soon?
Are Utilities Reported to The Credit Bureaus? Not yet, but soon? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email On September 9th 2012 a bill called the Credit Access and Inclusion Act (HR 6363) was introduced by Representative Jim Renacci from Ohio. The bill suggests that public utilities should report account information to the credit […]
Credit Card Issuers Using Questionable Legal Tactics to Collect Credit Card Debt
Credit Card Issuers Using Questionable Legal Tactics to Collect Credit Card Debt Civil Penalty by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email It was recently reported by the New York Times that various credit card companies are using nefarious tactics to recoup money lost to defaulted credit card balances, including falsifying documents and using incomplete records and […]
Can Your Thin Credit Report Be Scored?
Can Your Thin Credit Report Be Scored? Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email Every industry has its own unique terminology and the credit industry is no exception. One of the common terms used to describe credit reports is “thin,” which is a description of the amount of information housed by the report. What […]
How Can I Fix My Credit Scores?
How Can I Fix My Credit Scores? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email I received the following question from a reader late last week and, frankly, couldn’t wait to write an article responding since it’s such a great question. “John, I am in the middle of refinancing my home loan and I’m in […]
How Long Does It Take To Correct Credit Report Errors?
How Long Does It Take To Correct Credit Report Errors? Credit Monitoring by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act the credit reporting agencies must employ reasonable procedures designed to ensure maximum possible accuracy of your credit files. That’s the standard. It’s not to maintain extraordinary procedures guaranteeing 100% accurate […]
5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Limit in a Short Amount of Time
5 Ways to Increase Your Credit Limit in a Short Amount of Time Credit Cards by Maria Shahid Share Share Email The most obvious benefit of a higher credit limit is increased spending power. With access to more credit, you can be more flexible in your spending and may even earn additional rewards like […]
How Many Credit Cards Should I Use?
How Many Credit Cards Should I Use? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email The amount you owe represents some 30 percent of your credit score points, which is the second largest contributor to your credit score. This category not only includes the total credit utilization (revolving and installment), but also the number of […]
What’s The Difference Between A Credit Report and A Credit File?
What’s The Difference Between A Credit Report and A Credit File? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email “John, I see the terms credit report and credit file used all the time. Aren’t they the same thing? And if they are the same thing, why are there two terms?”