Sugar Editorial Picks
Nov 09, 2009 -
By now we all know about the not-so-free nature of those FreeCreditReport.com services; a few of you even say you've fallen for its misleading practices. But even after the government publicly condemned the site, "free" credit monitoring services — which require you to sign up for a paid service, but promise you can cancel at any time — are popping up everywhere.
One friend recently had a particularly nasty experience with one of these companies while apartment hunting.
- 2 Comments
Aug 06, 2008 -
Acquiring your free credit report is relatively simple: Just remember to visit AnnualCreditReport.com for up to three reports each year, not tricky FreeCreditReport.com.
Unfortunately, getting your free credit score isn't as direct. There are certain little loopholes that can get you a complimentary score, but there also a handful of legitimate circumstances that grant you a free credit score — no slick loopholes required.
- 4 Comments
Jun 10, 2008 -
We're all eligible to receive three free credit reports every year (one from each of the national credit bureaus), but credit scores typically come at a cost of $15.95 per score. There are some unreliable sites out there that may claim to have access to free credit scores, but generally those sites aren't trustworthy.
MyFICO.com is actually a division of Fair Issac, the company that calculates consumer credit ratings for lenders, and is a legitimate source of credit information.
- 15 Comments
Mar 19, 2010 -
By now you know your credit score, credit report, and fiscal responsibility are vital pieces of keeping lenders in your good graces. But, did you ever consider that a less than ideal credit score could be a deal breaker for a prospective employer?
According to the Wall Street Journal, employers running background checks on potential hires are also anxious to get their hands on their credit reports.
- 0 Comments
Jan 21, 2010 -
Unfortunately, my sister's been hit — someone got a hold of her bank account information and opened a couple new store charge accounts, racking up quite a sum in fraudulent charges. She's not completely negligent with her personal financial information, so I was pretty surprised they got their hands on all of these sensitive stats, but in the digital age, keeping track of your finances means there's no room for carelessness. Stay up to date with your bills and financial statements and follow these tips so you're always on top of it:
- Don't carry around your social security card, ever!
- 0 Comments
Jun 16, 2009 -
Most lenders use your FICO scores to determine your credit worthiness, but typically it costs you money to retrieve your own score. You have three FICO scores (one from each major credit bureau) based on the information each bureau keeps on file about you. If you don't want to shell out cash every time you have the urge to check your score, there's a solution for you.
- 1 Comment
May 27, 2009 -
The original jingles for FreeCreditReport.com couldn't save the website from getting scrutinized by the law. The credit card reform bill signals a score of changes for the credit card industry and more, as demonstrated by the action taken against the scammy credit report site.
Notoriously, FreeCreditReport.com advertised its ironically named service through commercials that led consumers to believe credit reports ordered on the site were actually free.
- 12 Comments
Mar 26, 2008 -
Dear Savvy,
I'm new at this credit thing and I'm not sure when or why I should check my credit report. I have never had a credit card (still don't) but I got denied for one a few weeks ago and I don't know why. Does checking my credit report worsen my credit score?
- 13 Comments
Jul 22, 2009 -
Dear Savvy,
I have two credit cards with high interest. Should I pay them off with my one card that has zero percent interest to reduce paying over $750 annually in finance charges?
Savvy says: I'm assuming by "paying them off" you mean transfer your existing balances to an introductory rate, zero percent card.
- 1 Comment