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Articles for Credit Reports

  • Rapid Rescore Can Boost Credit Rating Quickly

    Many consumers may be in the process of attempting to boost their credit score so that they can qualify for more favorable lines of credit, but some of the changes they made may have not been reflected in their rating.

  • Healthy History Makes It Easier to Obtain Credit

    Consumers who are having trouble obtaining a line of credit are often struggling because they don't have a good enough credit score. But, by taking steps to improve that rating, consumers will likely have a better time with their finances.

  • Important to protect a credit report

    Many consumers may be aware that their credit report is incredibly important to their finances, but may not take the necessary precautions to make sure it's as healthy as it can be.

  • A good credit report can get a discount on TV service

    A consumer's credit report affects more than their ability to qualify for loans or obtain a favorable interest rate. Some utility companies may also use this document to determine whether they can qualify for coverage.

  • Credit reports still used in employment

    Despite criticism from consumer groups and laws outlawing the practice in some states, many employers across the country still access applicants' credit reports as a means of determining their qualifications for a position.

  • Many factors decide a credit score

    A consumer's credit score is the single most important piece of financial information about them, and many lenders consult only this figure when determining whether the person is creditworthy. It is therefore important to keep in mind some of the factors that go into this three-digit number.

  • Many ways to improve your credit score

    In order to qualify for a number of financial products, from a home loan to a credit card, many consumers may need to improve their credit score. Luckily, there are a number of ways to do this.

  • Improve your credit score in the new year

    As the economy continues to recover, many consumers may want to see their credit score improve with it. Fortunately, there are a number of simple options available to those who want to repair their rating.

  • More consumers with bad credit scores receive card offers

    While many consumers have previously been unable to obtain a new line of credit because financial difficulties led to their credit score dropping severely, many lenders are now extending them new offers in hopes of buoying profits.

  • Some consumers denied loans despite great credit scores

    There are a number of consumers who have been able to keep their credit score relatively healthy despite the national economic meltdown that caused most Americans' ratings to take large hits. However, those who maintained prime or even super ratings may still be denied for loans.

  • A bad credit score can't be fixed overnight

    Many consumers may have accidentally made a few missteps in dealing with their finances, resulting in lower credit scores and potentially making themselves ineligible for new loans. Unfortunately, there's no way for a consumer to quickly repair his or her rating.

  • Government to investigate claims of discrimination

    A number of consumers who should have qualified for their loans based on their credit scores say that many banks and mortgage lenders opted to decline their applications based on their race, and now a major government agency is looking into the matter.

  • A bad credit report can carry some surprises

    Many consumers are aware of how much sway a credit report has over their entire financial life, but there are a number of factors it can impact that some may not be be cognizant of.

  • Potential employers can check your credit report

    When consumers apply for a job, there's a lot to worry about, including whether they're properly qualified and what the other potential candidates bring to the table. However, one factor they may not consider is the health of their credit report.

  • Consumers can dispute errors on their credit report

    When consumers examine their credit reports, it's likely that they will discover an error of some kind, as a large percentage of these documents contain at least one mistake. However, they don't have to live with these inaccuracies.

  • Your credit score affects your mortgage

    Many consumers have seen their credit score shrink in the last year because of difficulty paying their monthly loan bills. But this money trouble, even if it's minor, can lead to higher mortgage rates.

  • Past mistakes may linger on your credit report

    Many consumers may be aware that a mistake when it comes to paying their monthly bills can have a serious negative impact on their credit score, but unpaid debts can remain on a credit report for many years.

  • Insurers check applicant credit scores

    As with lenders who issue most financial products, insurance companies run a credit check on applicants as a means of helping determine their premium rates.

  • Credit scores change all the time

    If a consumer orders a copy of their credit score, they may find that it changed considerably from the last time they checked it, and there is a reason for this.

  • More Americans can't get mortgages because of credit scores

    Many people may be aware that their credit score has a direct affect on their ability to qualify for loans of all types, but mortgage lenders have tightened restrictions so much that a large percentage have been locked out of the home loan market.

  • Correcting Your Credit Report

    Correcting errors on your credit report can seem like a daunting task, but this step-by-step reference can help you successfully navigate the dispute process. Be better prepared by determining who you need to contact and what you need to do to keep your reports accurate.

  • Credit score monitoring more important than ever

    In the midst of a troubled economy, it's especially important to pay special attention to your credit scores and credit reports. To help you do that, you need to manage your debt responsibly, communicate with your creditors if you have trouble paying, and correct any credit report errors.

  • How to Order Your Free Annual Credit Report

    Consumers are allowed to view their credit report once a year — for free — from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies, thanks to the FACT (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions) Act. These tips can help you get the most out of your right to your free credit report.

  • Understanding Your Credit Score

    From "excellent" to "bad" or no credit, you can find out how your credit score is calculated, what your score means to lenders, and what you can do to improve it, based on commonly used credit scoring formulas.

  • Credit Reports: Inaccuracies Can Be Costly

    Credit report errors can cheat you out of getting credit, better interest rates, or even put you out of the running for a job. Know how to correct costly errors in your report before they have a bad impact on your finances.