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Credit Score

680 Credit Score

Is a 680 Credit Score Good or Bad?

A 680 credit score is considered “good,” but there’s still room for improvement if you want to be approved for the best credit cards and loans.

late payments on credit report

How Long Do Late Payments Stay on a Credit Report?

Late credit card payments can cause your credit scores to drop. Learn how long they stay on your credit report and whether you can ever get them removed sooner.

fico score

What Is a FICO Score?

The FICO credit score is widely used by lenders to determine the likelihood you’ll pay back a loan. Learn how FICO calculates your score and how you can improve it.

rent appartment

7 Tips to Rent an Apartment With no Credit

Renting an apartment with no credit history can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you increase your chances of securing a lease.

740 Credit Score

740 Credit Score: Is it Good or Bad?

Find out what having a 740 credit score means for you. Learn about the types of products and loans you can access, and how to improve your credit even further.

raise credit score

How Long Does It Take (and Tips) to Improve Your Credit Score?

Wondering how long it will take for your credit score to rise after a negative mark? Learn how certain events and factors impact your credit score in this article.

delinquency report

What Is a Delinquency on a Credit Report?

Credit report delinquencies can cost you credit score points, but it's possible to avoid them if you pay bills on time.

600 Credit Score

600 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad?

Are you wondering if a 600 credit score is good enough? We’re going to give you the scoop on what a 600 score means, and ways to improve your credit score.

How to Remove Bankruptcy From Credit Report

How to Remove Bankruptcy From Credit Report

Is it possible to remove bankruptcies from your credit report? Learn what steps can be taken and how to rebuild your credit after a bankruptcy.

Best credit monitoring services

Best credit monitoring services for 2024

The best credit monitoring services can help you keep tabs on your credit score and provide additional services, such as identity protection and fraud alerts.

credit score to buy a house

What Is the Minimum Credit Score Needed to Buy a House?

A credit score in the “good” or “excellent” range is ideal for mortgage approval, but borrowers with lower scores can find options as well.

credit score

How Do I Check My Credit Score

Knowing your credit score can help you to understand realistic options when it comes to applying for credit cards—and even spot things like fraudulent activity.

What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a Car

What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a Car?

If you don’t have enough cash to buy a car outright, you may want to know what credit score is needed to get approved for a loan.

Credit score to rent apartment

What Credit Score Do You Need to Rent an Apartment?

Renting an apartment without great credit isn’t always easy, but it’s possible. Find out what credit score you need to rent an apartment and learn some strategies to help you qualify.

How to Deal With Debt Collectors

How to Deal With Debt Collectors

Dealing with debt collectors can be stressful. It's important to know your rights if you are contacted by one.

Best credit building debit cards

Best Credit Building Debit Cards in August 2024

Some debit cards allow you to build credit without applying for a loan. That’s a big deal for those with poor (or no) credit history.

what affects your credit scores

What Affects Your Credit Scores?

Your credit score can significantly impact your ability to qualify for loans and credit cards. Learn what affects your credit score so you can work toward a positive financial future.

credit score

Which Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use?

Looking to take out a mortgage? It’s important to find out what credit scores mortgage lenders use so you can put your best financial foot forward.

How Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report

How Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report?

Collections are recorded on your credit report when you default on a debt, and they can last up to seven years.

How to Freeze Your Credit

How to Freeze Your Credit

A credit freeze stops unwanted credit inquiries and can help thwart identity thieves. Learn how to place a credit freeze and when you should do it.

What Are Tradelines and How Do They Work

What Are Tradelines and How Do They Work?

Credit-reporting agencies, such as Experian, use so-called “tradelines.” These are lines on your credit report that spell out each revolving and installment credit account you have and also include your name and the business or organization to which you owe money.

700 Credit Score

700 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad?

Are you wondering if a 700 credit score is good or bad? We’ll answer that question and help you understand what products are available with a 700 credit score.

personal loan no credit check

How to Get a Personal Loan Without a Credit Check

A credit check is usually standard when applying for personal loans, but there are some lenders that don't require them.

750 Credit Score

750 Credit Score: Is it Good or Bad?

If you have a 750 credit score, are you in good shape? Find out the answer and learn more about how your score affects the types of products available to you.

 609 Dispute Letter

What Is a 609 Dispute Letter?

A 609 dispute letter is a method of requesting that a credit bureau remove erroneous information from your credit report.

improve credit score fast

How to Improve Your Credit Score Fast

Credit scores are important for loans, insurance, jobs, and more. You can improve your credit score fast by following these 15 steps.

650 Credit Score

650 Credit Score: Is it Good or Bad?

You've got a 650 credit score—is it good or bad? We’ll discuss which loan products you can get with a fair credit score and how to improve your rating.

soft vs hard credit inquiry

Hard vs. Soft Credit Checks: How Do They Impact Your Credit?

What's the difference between a hard pull versus a soft pull credit check, and how can it impact your credit? Read on to learn more.

chapter 7

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: All You Need to Know

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a powerful legal process that can help you escape overwhelming debt.

different credit score ranges

What Are the Different Credit Scoring Ranges?

There are four broad credit scoring ranges: Bad, fair, good, and excellent. Knowing where your score falls is important if you plan on applying for credit.

business credit score

Business Credit Score: What Is It, How to Check It

A business credit score is crucial if you want your company to grow. Find out how these scores work and where they originate from.

build credit

7 Ways to Build Credit Without A Credit Card

There are loads of ways to improve your credit profile that don’t involve credit cards. Some don’t even require an application of any sort.

credit score drop

8 Reasons Your Credit Score Dropped and 6 Ways To Fix It

A sudden drop in your credit score can cause anxiety, but by identifying and correcting the issue you can get your score back up in no time.

Apartment With Bad Credit

How to Get an Apartment With Bad Credit

Securing an apartment rental with bad credit may be challenging, but you can achieve your goal with the right strategies.

How to Get an 800 Credit Score

How to Get an 800 Credit Score

A high credit score can help you secure better loan terms and access the lowest interest rates. Learn how to get an 800 credit score.

how to take a hard inquiry off your credit report

How to Remove Hard Inquiries from Your Credit Report

Hard inquiries can lower your credit score, so it’s important to learn how to remove them from your credit report. Here’s how you can do it.

760 Credit Score

Is a 760 Credit Score Good or Bad?

A 760 credit score is considered in the “good” to “very good” range and can help ensure approval for the best loans and credit cards.

credit utilization ratio

Credit Utilization Ratio: All You Need to Know

Endeavor to keep your credit utilization below 30%. That’s the key to harnessing the “amounts owed” component of your credit score and keeping your credit healthy.

credit score hard inquiry

What Is a Hard Inquiry?

Hard inquiries happen when an authorized person or entity requests a copy of your credit reports. Hard inquiries are also known as “hard pulls” or “hard credit checks.” They’re usually standard when applying for credit.

good credit score

What Is a Good Credit Score?

A credit score of 670 and up is usually considered good. If yours is lacking, there are several ways you can work on improving it.

fair credit score

What Is A Fair Credit Score

A fair credit score isn’t sufficient to thrive in the world of credit. Let’s look at what you can expect with such a score as well as some ways to increase it.

credit bureaus

What Are the Three Credit Bureaus?

Hope to buy a home or apply for a credit card? It’s crucial to know how credit bureaus work and the role you play in making sure your credit reports are accurate.

VantageScore vs FICO

VantageScore vs. FICO

VantageScore and FICO are the two major credit scoring models in use today, yet these companies do things slightly differently.

credit report

How to Get a Credit Report

Checking your credit reports regularly can help you stay on top of score changes. Learn how to get a credit report online.

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge in 5 Steps

Disputing a credit card charge helps you avoid paying for unexpected charges. Learn how to dispute a charge and what to do if your request is denied.

fico score 8

What Is the FICO Score 8?

FICO Score 8 is one of the most widely used FICO scores, along with FICO Score 9. Find out how this type of score works and why it matters.

does refinancing hurt your credit score

Does Refinancing Hurt Your Credit Score

Refinancing a loan can hurt your credit in the short term, but the temporary damage can be worth the trouble.

do medical bills affect your credit

Do Medical Bills Affect Your Credit?

Unpaid medical bills have the potential to affect your credit. Because of this, it is important to know your rights and to handle them correctly.

when can i increase my credit limit

When’s a Good Time to Request a Credit Limit Increase?

If you’ve got a good relationship with your bank due to on-time payments and routinely low credit card balances, you’re justified in asking for a credit line increase.

 Types of Credit

The Most Common Types of Credit and How They Impact Your Credit Score

Knowing about the different types of credit can help you understand your loan options and potentially even improve your credit score. Learn more about the various credit types.

medical bills overdue

What Happens When Medical Bills Go to Collection?

When an unpaid medical bill goes to a collection agency, it could cause your credit score to drop. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to bring it back up and consumer-friendly laws to help you return to firmer fiscal ground.

bad credit

Bad Credit: Definition, Impact and How To Improve

A bad credit score isn’t the end of the world. With the right plan and solid determination, you can repair your credit score in around a year.

credit report dispute

How to Dispute a Credit Report

Disputing credit report errors could help to add points to your credit score. Learn how to initiate—and pursue—a dispute.

soft inquiry

What Is a Soft Inquiry? All You Need To Know

A soft inquiry is a credit check (performed by you or someone else) that doesn’t affect your credit score.

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