A comprehensive study of consumer credit reports by the Federal Trade Commission found that the accuracy of consumers’ …
credit report
Think You Just Bought Your “Real” Credit Score? Think Again
Conventional wisdom says before you make a big purchase like a house or a car, go online to check your credit score. Although you can get one report per bureau per year for free through annualcreditreport.com, you have to pay to …
Credit Bureaus Will Get New Federal Oversight
It’s a move consumer advocates say has been needed for a long time: This morning, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that it will start supervising large credit reporting agencies — the first time these companies have ever been subject to such oversight at the federal level.
7 Credit Myths Even Smart People Believe
Everybody knows how important it is to maintain good credit, but a lot of people don’t know how. Some think it’s necessary to revolve a credit card balance to get a higher score or don’t know the impact of checking their own …
More Americans Have FICO Scores of 800+
Could this be a light at the end of the credit crisis tunnel? According to new research from Fair Isaac Corporation, the company responsible for FICO scores, the percentage of Americans with top-notch credit scores is the best it’s been since 2008. In addition, the number of people in the bottom tier of the credit spectrum has fallen to …
Why Are Credit Report Errors So Hard to Fix?
A yearlong investigation by the Columbus Dispatch has uncovered systemic flaws in the data collection and dispute resolution processes used by the credit bureaus. For Americans who find errors in their credit files, this can mean …
Hackers Now Aiming For Your Credit Reports
Do You Know Your Rights If Your Identity Is Stolen?
According to a new report and consumer survey from the Federal Trade Commission, many Americans don’t know what they’re entitled to if someone steals their identity. FTC data shows that, for more than a decade, the top category …
5 States With the Worst Credit Scores
What’s in a number? When that number is your credit score, it’s the key that gives you access to credit cards, mortgages and other loans. Anything below 720 can make it tougher or more expensive to get a loan now, which means a …
CFPB Focuses on Debt Collection, Credit Reporting Companies
A big part of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s potential to help consumers is its ability to supervise nonbank participants in the financial industry. This far-ranging swath of companies includes some that have been the subject of consumer complaints in the past, such as debt collectors and credit reporting agencies. Today, the …
5 Credit Facts Every Couple Should Know
While your finances might not be the first thing that springs to mind as Valentine’s Day approaches, your credit can be affected by your partner’s history and spending habits. Credit counselors advise couples to sit down together …
Suze Orman’s New Prepaid Debit Card
Oprah pal Suze Orman never had much in common with reality TV‘s Kardashian sisters — until now. The personal finance personality debuted a prepaid debit card, the Approved Card. Prepaid cards are notorious for high fees — and …
