Credit Rating | Credit Card Topics

Why Closing a Credit Card May Be a Risky Move for Your Credit Score

By: John Ulzheimer, 1/7/2019

There’s no question that your credit card accounts influence your credit score. If you open a credit card account when you have little to no established credit history, the new account can help you build a better credit score. If you overutilize your credit cards, they can negatively impact your credit score. And yes, if you close a credit card account, you may damage your credit score. Of course, sometimes you may want to close a credit card account for completely valid reasons.... read more »

What is the Average Credit Score in America?

By: John Ulzheimer, 12/10/2018

Whether it is healthy or not, people like to know how they measure up relative to others. It is human nature. Hopefully, you already keep tabs on the condition of your credit reports and where your personal credit scores fall on the standard scale of 300 to 850. If not, it is probably a good idea to check your credit scores from time to time just to ensure their health. And even if you find out that your scores are solid, you may wonder how they stack up compared to those of your... read more »

8 Most Common Credit Scoring Myths Dispelled

By: Erica Sandberg, 11/7/2018

Myths about credit scores abound. They tend to get passed on from one person to the next, and by the time the stories get to you, they can be hard to shake. However, if you believe them, your credit scores and financial health may suffer. It’s time to learn the correct information. Here are eight of the most pervasive credit scoring myths. 1. There is Only One Real Score, FICO, and the Rest are Fake FICO may be the most widely known and used of all the credit scores, but it is... read more »

How to Freeze Your Credit Reports in 2019

By: John Ulzheimer, 10/11/2018

In a country where over 1,500 reported data breaches occurred last year and where you freely disclose your personal information to third parties, it is virtually impossible to keep your personal information completely safe from people with bad intentions. Identity theft has been a huge problem for many years, and it likely will not be going away anytime soon. In 2017 alone, the Federal Trade Commission indicated over 370,000 reports of identity theft were made by US consumers to... read more »

Know the Score: GetCreditScore Helps Australians Keep Track of Their Credit Status

By: Ashley Dull, 7/9/2018

In a Nutshell: A person's credit history — whether it's solid or shaky — can have an impact on the outcome of big life decisions, such as taking out a loan to purchase a car or home or starting a business. That's why it's important to know where your credit stands. GetCreditScore offers a free and simple way for Australians to keep track of their credit score, understand the factors that influence a credit score, and learn how to improve it. // Most consumers will need to take... read more »

How LenddoEFL Uses Data and Personality Analyses to Increase Access to Financial Services in Emerging Economies

By: Ray FitzGerald, 5/29/2018

In a Nutshell: Accessing credit in developing economies can be a long, difficult task that can affect a borrower's well-being and financial success. LenddoEFL combines big data analysis and psychometric evaluation to create alternative credit risk assessments that help people in emerging markets access vital financial services. The company develops a comprehensive understanding of a consumer’s creditworthiness by examining behavior as simple as how often they charge their phone’s... read more »

10 Expert Solutions — How to Build Credit Without a Credit Card

By: Ashley Dull, 5/14/2018

No matter how tasty others find a dish, if you've had a horrible experience with a particular food, chances are you'll avoid it like the plague thereafter. Similarly, regardless of how many people extol their virtues, if you've been burned by credit card use before, chances are you're not too keen to give them another chance. Unfortunately, while there are thousands of alternative meal choices, you typically need credit to get credit. This can make it difficult to avoid credit... read more »

TotallyMoney.com Provides More Than a Quarter-Million UK Users with Access to Free Credit Reports and Tools to Improve Their Scores in Less Than Six Months

By: Ashley Dull, 1/25/2018

In a Nutshell: Around 55% of US adults check their credit score at least once a year. The number is far lower in the UK, where Brits have had difficulty accessing their credit profiles in the past. To help solve that issue, TotallyMoney.com began offering UK residents free access to their credit history and scores in August 2017. A quarter-million residents have already used the platform to see their score, which also includes the company’s Borrowing Power which uses proprietary... read more »

12 Best Credit Cards for Building Credit (2019)

By: Ashley Dull, 8/25/2017

People looking to build credit are starting their credit journey for the first time, while others may be resuming a journey derailed by a financial mistake (or three). Either way, building -- or rebuilding -- a positive credit history can have substantial benefits for your financial future. Why? Because credit reports are used by everyone from potential lenders to potential landlords to get an idea about your financial habits, meaning the information housed within those reports will... read more »

10 Best Credit Cards for Rebuilding Credit (2019)

By: Ashley Dull, 7/31/2017

Despite the best efforts and intentions, debt can become a problem for anyone. Thankfully, consumers have a variety of options for dealing with debt, including debt relief programs and (as a last resort) bankruptcy. The real problem with personal debt comes from its lasting credit effects, which can tank your credit score if payments are missed or defaulted on completely. Rebuilding your credit is possible, however, and can be made significantly easier with the right credit card. ... read more »

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