4 Sneaky Ways Hackers Steal Your Personal Information and How to Protect Yourself
4 Sneaky Ways Hackers Steal Your Personal Information and How to Protect Yourself Credit Monitoring by David B. Coulter Share Share Email You have to give hackers credit: They never stop coming up with new and nefarious ways to steal your identity or commit credit card theft. That’s why it is crucial to stay one […]
How Often Does My Credit Score Change?
How Often Does My Credit Score Change? Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email The frequency with which your credit score changes is a product of the frequency of the changes in your credit report. Because your credit score is based upon the information in your credit report, updates to your credit report can […]
The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home Credit Report by Maria Shahid Share Share Email In 2019, 65.1 percent of Americans owned their homes, but for many more people homeownership remains a dream. While interest rates are low, many people will be looking into how to make that dream a reality, but it’s important that anyone calculating a […]
Will Changing Banks Lower My Credit Scores?
Will Changing Banks Lower My Credit Scores? Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email With millions of consumers switching banks in fourth quarter 2011 (26 percent because of high fees), you may be concerned what impact moving banks may have on your credit score. It all depends upon the financial institution’s policy. Most banks […]
Why Did I Get IRS Form 1099-C From My Credit Card Issuer?
Why Did I Get IRS Form 1099-C From My Credit Card Issuer? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email I received my first 1099 for tax year 2012 last week. And while the weather suggests “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” it’s also a reminder that we’re only 3 months away from […]
Per CFPB, If You Furnish Information To The Credit Bureaus You Better Perform An Adequate Investigation When Disputes Are Filed
Per CFPB, If You Furnish Information To The Credit Bureaus You Better Perform An Adequate Investigation When Disputes Are Filed Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email Today the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) put companies that provide information to the credit bureaus (“data furnishers”) on notice that when the receive a dispute from […]
Bill Introduced That Would Force Credit Bureaus To Share Consumer Provided Documents As Part of Dispute Process
Bill Introduced That Would Force Credit Bureaus To Share Consumer Provided Documents As Part of Dispute Process Credit Monitoring by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email I love it when Washington decides to attempt to create a law to mandate a process that is already about to be done voluntarily. This is one such example. A […]
How Do I Calculate My Credit Card Usage Percentage?
How Do I Calculate My Credit Card Usage Percentage? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email It’s one of the most important components in your credit score, and one of the most misunderstood. It’s “revolving utilization”, also commonly referred to as the credit card usage percentage or the balance to limit percentage. They’re all […]
When to Get Free vs. Paid Credit Monitoring
When to Get Free vs. Paid Credit Monitoring Credit Monitoring by Maria Shahid Share Share Email Credit monitoring is essential to your financial health. Regularly checking your credit report along with your credit rating provides you vital information about your financial wellness, and can serve as an early warning of possible problems such as missed […]
Should I Refinance My Student Loans Right Now?
Should I Refinance My Student Loans Right Now? Credit for Beginners by David B. Coulter Share Share Email You may have noticed interest rates hovering at 30-year lows and now wonder whether it’s a good time to refinance your student loans. Well, the answer is: not necessarily. You want to help, not hurt, your financial […]