2022-07-08 00:41
Your credit score is a trustworthiness rating, based on your credit report. It falls somewhere between 300 and 850 and is calculated by a credit scoring model (FICO and VantageScore are the… Read More
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The Better Credit Score Blog
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Most popular Credit blog since 2007! Get expert advice on credit improvement, raising your credit score, and removing negative items from your credit report.
2022-06-02 07:30
Refinancing your mortgage can save you money, build equity in your home, and leave you with a more stable and manageable payment plan. But is it worth it? Refinancing comes at a price. Here… Read More
2022-05-27 16:25
Home equity loans allow you to borrow funds against the existing equity on your property. The equity balance is the difference between the market value of your home and the amount owed on yo… Read More
2022-05-12 07:30
In my recent experience, it’s not hard to remove judgments from your credit report as long as you follow the proper steps.
Many readers assume it’s impossible to have the credit… Read More
2022-05-11 14:35
43.2 million people carry some form of student loan debt, with most averaging around $39,000—although many of us have a lot more.
If you’re reading this, chances are that’s… Read More
2022-05-08 20:43
Calculating your credit utilization ratio can tell your credit health.
New creditors pay attention to this value which measures how much of your available credit you’re currently using… Read More
2022-05-08 01:27
If you’re paying off your credit cards to improve your credit score, read this post first.
By the end of this post, you’ll know not to automatically close all your paid-off accou… Read More
2022-05-07 21:50
Most of the time, open credit card accounts look better on your credit report than closed accounts, so it’s good to know how to reopen a closed credit card account.
Open accounts exten… Read More
2022-05-04 20:59
Debt consolidation is when you bundle several debts together into one larger sum and then make a single monthly repayment instead of multiple smaller ones. Consolidating debts with different… Read More
2022-05-03 10:42
Repairing your credit could mean writing a lot of letters to creditors and the three credit bureaus — dispute letters, debt validation letters, goodwill letters. And so on.
To make wri… Read More
2022-05-03 05:30
My credit repair journey started when I had a credit score in the 530s. I couldn’t get a credit card, let alone a mortgage loan.
That’s when I said enough is enough and set out t… Read More
2022-05-02 21:59
Having bad credit makes life a lot harder. You won’t be able to open a new credit card, close on a mortgage loan, or even get a personal loan with affordable interest rates. In most st… Read More
2022-05-02 02:07
Forget maxing out your credit cards, here are some easy techniques anyone can use to optimize your credit score.
Most of these techniques can be used by those who have both good and bad cred… Read More
2022-04-27 20:20
In today’s digital world, your personal details, like your date of birth, name, address, and Social Security number, define who you are. Of these pieces of information, your Social Sec… Read More
2022-04-21 03:58
For most of us, working hard to achieve and maintain a good credit score is an inescapable part of modern life. Checking the credit reports of potential employees (with their permission) is… Read More
2022-04-11 09:30
If you’re wondering how to get out of debt, you’re not alone. In 2021, the national household debt balance reached $14.96 trillion – the largest increase since 2007. Since… Read More
2022-04-06 09:30
If you have recently pulled your credit report and noticed a charge-off there, you might be wondering how to remove it from your report. First, know that a charge-off in your credit history… Read More
2022-04-05 09:30
A collection account will lower your credit score and can generally stay on your credit report for up to seven years. Often, a collection entry will even keep you from getting a mortgage or… Read More
2022-04-04 09:30
If you are like most people, you have dealt with or are currently dealing with debt collectors. I’ve been preaching about the dangers of debt collectors for years and get countless ema… Read More
2022-04-01 20:35
The statute of limitations on medical debt varies from state to state. But even if your statute of limitations has expired, the medical debt still exists.
An expired statute of limitations j… Read More
2022-04-01 20:34
When you stop making payments on an auto loan, the lender will take the vehicle back. In lending terms, this is called repossession. Read on to find out how to remove an invalid repossession… Read More
2022-04-01 13:15
It’s smart to know how to remove negative items from your credit report, especially if you are soon to be applying for a mortgage or car loan.
In fact, you can remove something from yo… Read More
2022-04-01 09:30
If you need money now, an online personal loan can be a fast and easy way to secure funds. Whether they’re for debt consolidation, a home improvement project, or other expenses, these… Read More
2022-04-01 09:30
Within your lifetime, you may have a period of financial distress. Especially in the current pandemic, COVID 19, medical bills, credit card bills, and other financial service bills may start… Read More
2022-03-11 00:30
You already know it’s important to keep a tight hold of your personal data. And amid an ongoing slew of customer information breaches, you can’t take data privacy for granted.
In… Read More
2022-03-04 21:56
In today’s world, you need a credit report to get a mortgage, take out a loan and, sometimes, even to secure a job. This means it’s never been more important to check whether the… Read More
2022-02-23 20:41
When you’re facing bankruptcy, it can seem like the end of the world, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, bankruptcy can give you a way out of a bad financial situation. And you… Read More
2022-02-17 20:37
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdBest for Lowest RatesBest for Variety of Financing OptionsBest OverallBest for Comparing Quotes from a Variety of LendersBest Reput… Read More
2022-02-11 17:40
Key Takeaways
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Can reduce your debt by 30% on average
Rated the best debt relief company on Trustpilot
A Guide to Debt Settlement Servic… Read More
2022-02-03 20:36
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdBest OverallBest FeaturesBest Credit Monitoring ServicesBest All-Around ProtectionBest Restoration ServicesBest Child Protection Fe… Read More
2022-01-27 07:00
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdBest for Small Tax DebtBest for Money-Back GuaranteeBest User ExperienceBest Customer ExperienceBest for Small BusinessesBest for A… Read More
2022-01-20 17:28
Key Takeaways
In this review of Freedom Debt Relief, we’ll explain how the company can help if you’re struggling with unpaid bills. The firm’s flagship service involves neg… Read More
2022-01-11 19:00
Feeling crushed by debt is one of the most stressful situations possible, but there are options. If you find yourself saddled with more debt than you can reasonably pay off in a timely manne… Read More
2022-01-03 13:38
According to the FTC, 1.4 million reported identify theft incidents in 2020, an increase from 650,000 in 2019. This seems to be a particularly American problem, as 33 percent of U.S. adults… Read More
2021-12-30 14:39
When it comes to identity theft, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.
Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, more people were home and using their computers than ever be… Read More
2021-12-22 22:38
Having one debt to pay off is stressful enough as it is. But it’s a much bigger headache if you owe debts to multiple places, as your odds of forgetting a payment will increase, and th… Read More
2021-12-17 22:24
If you’ve been considering buying a new car, but you’ve hesitated because you worry it will be expensive or the process of securing a loan will be too difficult, take heart. Ther… Read More
2021-12-09 21:20
Quicken Loans began in 1985, and after changing its name from Rock Financial, the company switched its focus from traditional mortgages to becoming one of the leaders in the online mortgage… Read More
2021-12-06 21:05
When it comes to qualifying for a mortgage and purchasing a house, there’s very often two main obstacles for first-time buyers. The first issue, which we explored here, is getting your… Read More
2021-11-24 15:20
Ironically, even when a credit card issuer checks your credit history and approves you, your credit score still drops by a few points. This is because they’ve had to run a hard credit… Read More
2021-11-18 17:02
Credit has become integral to how the world works. We use it in our daily lives in many forms, including mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. The amount you can access depends on your cre… Read More
2021-11-12 16:11
If you’re in the market to buy a vehicle, a car loan is one option for financing your purchase. Here, we’ll cover the steps you need to take for a successful application and what… Read More
2021-11-04 13:57
Preapproval is usually the first step in getting a home loan or mortgage. You don’t have to go through this process, but it’s often a good idea. That’s because preapprovals… Read More
2021-11-03 13:37
When you refinance a mortgage, you’re taking out a new loan with more favorable terms to pay off a mortgage you already have. For most borrowers, the best time to do this is when you c… Read More
2021-10-29 19:59
The answer is yes and no. Lenders and credit card issuers carry out two types of checks on your credit. The first, a soft credit check, doesn’t impact your credit score at all. The sec… Read More
2021-10-15 20:28
If you’re looking to purchase a new home, or are perhaps thinking about refinancing your current situation, it pays to know what the current mortgage rates are.
A number of factors wil… Read More
2021-10-06 18:32
Your credit score is one of the most important factors in how much you‘ll pay for a mortgage, or even on whether you qualify for a mortgage at all.
The reason your credit score, or you… Read More
2021-09-30 17:12
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers what are called VA Loans to people who currently serve or have served in the armed forces, or their surviving spouses. These loans can save the… Read More
2021-09-20 13:17
The process of getting approved for a mortgage loan and buying a home is a long one with a considerable number of steps. You’re going to need to have the money for a down payment ready… Read More
2021-09-09 20:12
After your birthday, Social Security number, and cell phone number, your credit score is the most important number in your life.
Your credit score, known in the financial services industry a… Read More
2021-09-02 18:22
When it comes to the length of your mortgage, there is a fair amount of flexibility regarding term lengths, depending on which company you go with. By and large, 30-year terms and 15-year te… Read More
2021-08-24 12:28
You probably hear all the time about how important a good credit score is. You’ve likely also heard that a good credit score is essential to getting a mortgage, or a good deal on a per… Read More
2021-08-17 16:50
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdMost FlexibleMost ConvenientBest for Low Credit ScoresBest Home Equity LoansMost OptionsQuicken LoansBetter Mortgage RefinanceGuild… Read More
2021-08-09 21:42
Even just one outstanding debt is a headache that can drag down your credit rating and make it tough to get a loan for a home or a car. Having several outstanding loans is even worse, as it… Read More
2021-08-03 20:58
Having a bad credit score can make it difficult to get a loan. “Banks, credit unions, and financial institutions use credit scores and other factors of your credit history to determi… Read More
2021-07-12 20:06
Student loans are a pressing issue for so many people who have put themselves through college and other higher education. It can also be a complex mess to understand and work your way throug… Read More
2021-07-01 18:24
FingerHut originally started as a mail order catalog, and in the ’90s became an early entry into the e-commerce game.
But what FingerHut is really known for is that it allows customers… Read More
2021-04-30 18:34
The highest credit score you can have is an 850 on commonly used credit score models. Few achieve this financial feat because it requires consistent and sound credit-building habits, and tim… Read More
2021-03-02 12:00
While missing a payment is an easy mistake to make, it could result in significant damage to your credit score.
If you have a collections account from H&R Accounts on your report, it&rsq&hell…Read More
2021-03-01 14:48
Is Bank of America bringing down your credit score?
If your credit report is displaying a collections account for Bank of America, it’s probably because you missed a payment somewhere… Read More
2021-02-25 17:00
Are you concerned about an entry from First Federal Credit Control?
If the name above is on your credit report, you’ve probably received phone calls and letters from the agency as well… Read More
2021-02-24 15:00
Whether you came across First National Collection Bureau while checking your credit or received a phone call or letter from the agency, you need to respond quickly.
As long as a collections… Read More
2021-02-22 15:00
Frontline Asset Strategies is a debt collector that you may hear from when you start to miss payments.
They are a third-party debt collector that specializes in recovering unpaid bills from… Read More
2021-02-22 14:00
Are collections lowering your credit score? If you have a collections entry from Designed Receivable Solutions on your credit report, you can probably attribute it to a missed payment.
Late… Read More
2021-02-19 16:15
FMA Alliance is a third-party debt collector that works with companies to recover delinquent accounts from customers.
They will relentlessly contact you for reimbursement and will also take… Read More
2021-02-19 09:45
Is DCM Services lowering your credit score?
If DCM Services or DCM Services LLC has recently appeared on your credit report, it’s probably to collect on a delinquent account.
Missed pa… Read More
2021-02-18 15:00
It’s all too easy to miss a payment on one of your accounts and put it on the backburner for later.
Unfortunately, a simple mistake can have some severe repercussions for your credit… Read More
2021-02-18 11:30
Have you missed a few payments on one or more of your bills? You may start getting calls from a debt collector.
Failing to pay your bills will cause the debt to move to collections.
This mea… Read More
2021-02-17 18:00
Fidelity National Collections is a medical debt collection company that works on behalf of healthcare providers to recover unpaid balances.
If you have a large medical bill that has been lef… Read More
2021-02-17 12:30
Have you found an entry from Bridgeport Financial on your credit report?
If so, you probably noticed a drop in your credit score. Also frustrating, the collections agency has likely been sen… Read More
2021-02-15 09:45
If you’ve received calls or letters from FCO Collections or noticed the name on your credit report, you probably have questions.
Collections agencies like FCO may show up on your repor… Read More
2021-02-15 08:45
Are collections accounts weighing heavily on your credit report?
While missing a payment on one of your accounts might seem like a minor offense, it can have major consequences on your credi… Read More
2021-02-12 13:00
Is Evergreen Professional Recoveries on your credit report?
If so, you’ve probably endured frequent phone calls from them and noticed a drop in your credit score.
EPR may show up on yo… Read More
2021-02-12 12:00
Did you know the unpaid tolls can go to collections just like any other type of debt?
Not paying on a toll road can have severe consequences for your credit report.
As long as EZ Pass Collec… Read More
2021-02-05 12:30
If you’re wondering what BCA Financial Services is and why it’s on your credit report, the guide below is for you.
With all of life’s financial obligations and the busyness… Read More
2021-02-05 11:30
If you’re concerned about an entry on your credit report from BRG Collections, we can help.
BRG specializes in collecting on unpaid consumer debts. If they’re on your report, you… Read More
2021-02-04 15:00
Are you concerned about a collections entry from Delivery Financial Services?
The entry is likely on your account because you forgot to pay a bill.
While falling behind on a payment or two m… Read More
2021-02-02 20:00
Is BGE Collections lowering your credit score? BGE Collections is a debt collection agency.
If you fell behind on power payments from Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, their collections de… Read More
2021-01-29 11:30
Did you apply for a Macy’s credit card in the last two years? If so, you shouldn’t be alarmed when you see a Macys DSNB entry on your credit report.
Applying for new credit resul… Read More
2021-01-29 09:30
If you have a new entry from NTB/CBNA on your credit report, it’s important to understand how it got there.
Representing National Tire & Battery and Citibank, the entry is probably… Read More
2021-01-29 08:00
Is a Microbilt credit inquiry lowering your credit score?
If you’ve come across a new entry on your credit report from Microbilt, it’s probably the result of a recent application… Read More
2021-01-27 13:00
If you’re getting calls from a company called Debt Recovery Solutions, you probably have one or more unpaid bills to take care of.
They are a third-party collector that is hired by com… Read More
2021-01-27 12:00
If a company called BC Services has been calling you demanding payment, you may be pretty confused.
Who is this company? How did they get my information?
BC Services is a third-party debt co… Read More
2021-01-27 11:00
Are you curious about a new entry from RentGrow on your credit report?
While you might expect to see a hard inquiry on your credit report when you apply for a mortgage, you might be surprise… Read More
2021-01-27 10:00
Are you getting calls from a company named Bay Area Credit Service? It’s probably because of an overdue bill hanging over your head.
They are a debt collection company that works with… Read More
2021-01-27 09:00
When you miss a payment on a bill, you run the risk of being contacted by a debt collector such as Burr & Reid.
They are a particularly tenacious debt collection agency that will come af… Read More
2021-01-22 12:00
Have you seen an EMS credit inquiry on your report recently?
EMS is a credit checking business that provides credit reports to mortgage lenders.
When you apply for a home loan, you consent t… Read More
2021-01-22 11:00
If you’re unsure about an inquiry from DSNB Bloom on your credit report, the following information can help.
DSNB Bloom is the credit reporting code for a Bloomingdale’s credit c… Read More
2021-01-21 14:30
Wondering why GECRB is on your credit report? Several factors can influence your credit score, such as your credit utilization and payment history.
One action that lowers your score is getti… Read More
2021-01-21 12:00
Is LexisNexis/INS/P&C on your credit report? If so, it could be bringing down your credit score.
The abbreviation above represents property and casualty insurance, and it could be on you… Read More
2021-01-15 09:30
If you’ve come across a new entry from Clarity Services Inc, you’re probably wondering how it got there.
Finding an inquiry on your credit report can be unsettling, especially wh… Read More
2021-01-14 10:30
Are you concerned about a new entry from CRDT First on your credit report?
If the name isn’t ringing any bells, you’ve come to the right place.
CRDT First is one of the credit re… Read More
2021-01-14 09:30
Is a Credit Plus inquiry weighing down your credit report?
If you noticed a new entry from Credit Plus on your credit report, the unfamiliar name might have raised some concerns.
This partic… Read More
2021-01-13 12:00
Wondering why Data Facts is on your credit report?
If you’ve recently noticed the name on your report, it’s most likely there as a soft or hard inquiry.
This inquiry could have b… Read More
2021-01-06 08:00
BRKSB/CBNA may be an unfamiliar name, but it’s short for two popular businesses: Brooks Brothers and Citibank North America.
Without reading the fine print, some shoppers are surprised… Read More
2021-01-05 12:30
Do you have questions about an entry from CBNA Sioux Falls on your credit report?
While CBNA Sioux Falls might be an unfamiliar name, it represents Citibank, a national provider of banking s… Read More
2021-01-05 11:30
Did you apply for a Home Depot credit card, loan, or credit account? If so, there could be a hard inquiry from Home Depot CBNA on your report.
Whenever you apply for funding, you can expect… Read More
2021-01-05 10:30
Wondering why CCB/LNDINGCL is on your credit report?
The credit code represents Comenity Capital Bank/Lending Club, and it’s likely on your account because you applied for Lending Club… Read More
2020-12-31 13:45
Have a hard inquiry on your credit report from Comenity Bank/VCTRSSEC?
If so, you may be wondering how it got there and what it means for your credit score.
A hard inquiry is simply a way fo… Read More
2020-12-31 10:30
Has a recent entry from CITGO/SYNCB brought down your credit score?
If it is appearing on your credit report, it’s probably a hard inquiry.
This type of inquiry gets added to your repo… Read More
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