If there are inaccuracies in your credit report, you have the right to correct them. Here’s how to dispute an item. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, both the consumer reporting agency (CRA) and the organization, such as a bank or credit card company, that provided the information to the CRA have respon…

Credit can be tricky to understand. Test your knowledge of credit reports and scores to see how much you know. How well do you understand what goes into your credit report and credit score? Take our quiz and find out. Check which of the following are true or false: 1. As soon as you pay off an overdue account…

Credit cards and loans can affect your buying power, so shop around for the best rates and educate yourself on credit and borrowing terminology. It can be easy to get caught up in the world of credit, which is why many people often find themselves drowning in debt. To better prepare yourself for the responsibility of borrowing money, it’s imp…

Q: What are the three major credit bureaus and what do they do? A: There are three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Lenders rely on credit reports developed by one or more of these companies to decide whether you are creditworthy.
Each…

Before co-signing a loan, make sure you understand the risks involved and how to protect yourself. Emily and Jack have been seeing each other for two years, and things are getting serious. One night, over a candlelit dinner at their favorite restaurant, Jack pops the question: “Can you co-sign a l…

The new bankruptcy law makes it more important than ever to manage your debt wisely. The new bankruptcy laws taking effect in October make it more difficult to wipe out certain types of debt through the bankruptcy process, especially for middle- and upper-income households. But in so…

We’ve all heard horror stories of credit card fraud and runaway debt. Here are some tips on how to avoid disasters. Borrowing money wisely can help you accomplish goals you’d otherwise be unable to attain, such as owning a home or getting an education. But credit can also get you into trouble if you’re not aware o…