credit history

Zombie debt collection is on the rise.  Zombie debt also known as Phantom debt is an extremely old or even fictitious debt that has returned “from the dead” to “haunt” the debtor.  That amount owed on the debt can somehow grow to thousands of dollars when it was originally for a few pennies or never even owed in the first place.  While the concept of zombie debt has been around for a long time, it has recently gained much attention as consumer complaints regarding this type of debt continue to grow.

With Tax Return Day just a few days behind us, those who filed on time are more than likely already thinking about what they will get back.  Statistics show that approximately two-thirds of Americans who file taxes on time will receive a refund.  While most consumers make plans for how they are going to spend the money on vacations, home improvements, a new car, consider using your income tax refund to improve your credit.  

One of the most frequently asked questions when a loved one dies is “does my loved one’s debt live on or die with them?”  While mourning the loss of a loved can be difficult, the added stress of dealing with their debt can exacerbate these feelings of loss. Are you responsible for what your loved one left behind?  Does your loved one’s debt live on or is it buried with them? The simple answer……it depends.

It may seem like an impossible feat, but boosting your credit score does not have to be as difficult as you think. Maintaining a good credit score can be as simple as following directions and committing to being financially responsible.  

If you don’t understand the difference between a credit report and a credit score, you are not alone.  While both are a measure of your financial well-being, your credit report is a history report of how you have handled your debts, both past and present, and your score assigns a number to that history.

Hacking, Identity Theft, Internet Fraud, Phishing Attacks, Malware are just a few ways our personal information can be compromised. Today it is as important to protect our private data as it is to protect our personal health. With so much of our information available at a click of a button, it can be seem overwhelming trying stay secure or as secure as possible.

One of the most common questions asked in credit repair is “How long will an item stay on my credit report?” Today we’ll walk through the major derogatory accounts found on credit reports and give you an understanding of how long each may report on our credit reports.FCRA Statute of Limitations:

We're very fortunate to live in an era with limitless technology at our fingertips.

At no other point in history has it ever been so easy to start a business:

All it takes is an idea, a laptop with an internet connection, and some good old-fashioned hard work!

As a responsible consumer trying to build your credit, you apply for a credit card with a low finance rate and you plan to pay off the balance in full every month.  After all, one of the first rules of thumb for building your credit is to have a positive credit history.  The only problem is, you cannot seem to get approved for a credit card that is desirable.  Let’s consider the reasons why.

You have probably noticed an abundance of “pre-approved” credit card offers in your mailbox, even more so during the Holiday season. But, what does this mean? Are you really approved? Can you just start using the card? Should you start using the card?

Here we bring you an easy explanation as to why you get this offers and how to best approach them.

 

When preparing yourself for a job interview, you need to do more than just freshen up on your interviewing skills.  Most employers today want to do more than just speak with you in an interview or read your resume.  They want to conduct a thorough background check and take a look into your credit report and history.  Reviewing your report prior to the interview to make sure it is in tip top shape is the first way to secure the job but knowing your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) will ensure the employer does not violate your rights and take advantage of your naivete.

 

Employment background check cases are on the rise.  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) is doing its job and protecting consumers nationwide from the improper handling of consumer reports during the employment application process. Consumers should be aware of their rights and protect themselves from misconduct of employers.

You have the ability to Opt Out of the unsolicited credit card offers you receive in the mail or over the phone. If it seems like your mail box is over-flowing with offers of pre-approved credit, you probably resent the excess mail and worry about someone stealing the information. If you would like to put a stop to all the offers, keep reading.

An Inquiry is created when your credit report  is accessed by a business. With that being said. have you heard of Hard Inquiries? Soft Inquiries?

You may have heard that a hard inquiry can hurt your credit score. But you may not be sure what that means — what is a hard inquiry anyway? Hard inquiries are created when you apply for credit. They can potentially drop your credit scores, which can result in higher interest rates when you borrow. On large loan, like those for a car or home, a drop of even a few points can mean a higher interest rate. And that may mean you’ll pay more over the life of the loan.