Archive for the ‘Credit Fundamentals’ Category

A few weeks ago I ran into an old friend. While we caught each other up on what had been happening since we last saw one another, he asked what I did. This question led to his sharing credit-score issues he's grappling with, specifically how to maintain and keep his score high and avoid the fluctuations many of us experience when we monitor our reports. Around ... Full story

Tanisha only wanted to rent an apartment for herself and her two children. Little did she know that a history of not paying her utility and credit card bills  would make her search so difficult, ultimately forcing Tanisha to live in a much less desirable neighborhood. Jonathan had everything going for him at an interview with a prestigious insurance company. References, his degree, and a couple ... Full story

Top Sources of Identity Theft 1. Mail theft 2. Dumpster diving 3. Unscrupulous employees 4. Stolen or lost wallets 5. Internet fraud 6. Burglary (home, vehicle, documents, computer files, etc.) 7. Friends or relatives 8. Phone scams 9. Unethical use of public documents 10. Shoulder surfing for passwords at ATMs, computers, etc. Attorney Mari Frank knew something was terribly wrong as soon as her bank called regarding an outstanding $11,000 bill she knew nothing about. “I ... Full story

y Thom Fox It’s important to realize that if your credit score is poor, it won’t necessarily remain that way forever. Credit reports and scores are very time-sensitive items, and they merely represent a snapshot of your credit profile at any given point in time. Your score from three months ago is probably not the same score a lender would get from the credit reporting agencies ... Full story

by Thom Fox Lenders review a variety of information whenever they need to decide whether a consumer loan applicant represents an acceptable level of risk. In this process, lenders review one or more credit scores. A credit score is typically a three-digit number that tells a lender how likely an individual is to repay a loan, and whether that person’s payments will be made on time.  FICO ... Full story

Credit limits, credit card balances, annual percentage rates, late fees, over-limit fees, penalty rates and more!  There is so much you need to be aware of as a credit card holder. Credit cards have become a necessity in today's technology-driven economy.  A credit card is a convenient payment method accepted almost everywhere.  It allows you to receive valuable rebates, earn free merchandise and services, and take ... Full story

After the holidays pass and the excitement dies down, many people look for the best way to showcase, use, or re-gift things they may have been fortunate enough to receive. Renae France, however, received the gift of her first home this year, just in time for the holidays, and she has no intention of doing any returning or exchanging. “It feels good to invite family ... Full story

by Thom Fox Most of us do not strive for bad credit. Layoffs, illness, divorce, and unexpected expenses are not things we plan on or look forward to, but they happen. If you have gone through a financial hardship and your credit rating has suffered, what should you do? Fortunately it is not incredibly difficult to reestablish a good credit history. One of the easiest ways to get ... Full story

by Thom Fox All sorts of things can happen in life, many of them unpleasant. You may experience a financial setback that causes you to become delinquent on your bill payments. This situation can be stressful, especially when you have to deal with collection calls. Collectors are notoriously aggressive. No matter how many times you tell a collector that you can’t afford to make a payment ... Full story

When you’re developing a long-term strategy to improve your credit, you need to focus on two main areas Full story