Are You Accidentally Using A Credit Repair Company? Here’s How To Find Out
Are You Accidentally Using A Credit Repair Company? Here’s How To Find Out Credit Monitoring by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email “John, I had a call with a company today that I might hire to help me clean up my credit report. I asked them if they were a credit repair company and they immediately […]
How Often Does My Credit Score Change?
How Often Does My Credit Score Change? Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email The frequency with which your credit score changes is a product of the frequency of the changes in your credit report. Because your credit score is based upon the information in your credit report, updates to your credit report can […]
Will Changing Banks Lower My Credit Scores?
Will Changing Banks Lower My Credit Scores? Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email With millions of consumers switching banks in fourth quarter 2011 (26 percent because of high fees), you may be concerned what impact moving banks may have on your credit score. It all depends upon the financial institution’s policy. Most banks […]
Why Did I Get IRS Form 1099-C From My Credit Card Issuer?
Why Did I Get IRS Form 1099-C From My Credit Card Issuer? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email I received my first 1099 for tax year 2012 last week. And while the weather suggests “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” it’s also a reminder that we’re only 3 months away from […]
Per CFPB, If You Furnish Information To The Credit Bureaus You Better Perform An Adequate Investigation When Disputes Are Filed
Per CFPB, If You Furnish Information To The Credit Bureaus You Better Perform An Adequate Investigation When Disputes Are Filed Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email Today the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) put companies that provide information to the credit bureaus (“data furnishers”) on notice that when the receive a dispute from […]
How Do I Calculate My Credit Card Usage Percentage?
How Do I Calculate My Credit Card Usage Percentage? Credit Cards by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email It’s one of the most important components in your credit score, and one of the most misunderstood. It’s “revolving utilization”, also commonly referred to as the credit card usage percentage or the balance to limit percentage. They’re all […]
When to Get Free vs. Paid Credit Monitoring
When to Get Free vs. Paid Credit Monitoring Credit Monitoring by Maria Shahid Share Share Email Credit monitoring is essential to your financial health. Regularly checking your credit report along with your credit rating provides you vital information about your financial wellness, and can serve as an early warning of possible problems such as missed […]
Credit Inquiries and New Accounts 101…A Refresher
Credit Inquiries and New Accounts 101…A Refresher Auto Loans by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email There are several reasons you apply for credit: 1) to take advantage of a special offer for a credit card; 2) to purchase a home, auto, boat, etc and 3) because you need additional credit to pay your bills. Most […]
Banks vs. Credit Union – Which Is Right for You?
Banks vs. Credit Union – Which Is Right for You? Credit Report by Maria Shahid Share Share Email Banks and credit unions provide many of the same services. Both offer federal deposit insurance, so up to $250,000 per deposit or, per institution is protected. However, it is the differences between these two types of financial […]
CFPB to Publish Findings of Credit Score Study By End of September
CFPB to Publish Findings of Credit Score Study By End of September Credit Monitoring by John Ulzheimer Share Share Email The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (hereafter “CFPB”) will be publishing the results of a study on credit scores some time in September 2012. The CFPB performed a smaller study earlier in 2012 and concluded that […]