The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. The FCRA imposes restrictions on the type of information that can be included in a credit report to protect…
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Securing a personal loan with bad credit can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. While traditional lenders may be less willing to extend credit to individuals with a history of poor credit, alternative options exist for those in need of…
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Credit reporting agencies play a crucial role in assessing and compiling individuals’ creditworthiness, providing lenders with information to make informed decisions. These agencies collect a variety of data to create comprehensive credit reports. The information obtained by credit reporting agencies…
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Reading a credit report is a crucial skill for maintaining financial health and making informed decisions about your creditworthiness. A credit report provides a comprehensive overview of your credit history, including accounts, payment history, and other relevant financial information. Understanding…
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Building your credit is a gradual process that involves demonstrating responsible financial behavior over time. A good credit score is essential for securing favorable interest rates on loans, credit cards, and other financial products. Here are some steps to help…
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Today, qualifying for financing, favorable insurance rates, rental housing, and more is important to many people and households. Your credit score is something that lenders and landlords use to determine your creditworthiness, and they will not hesitate to decline applications…
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Creditors and other large corporations have significant power over consumers, especially when it comes to credit reporting. Companies can report information, and the major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and Transunion) will generally add these details to your report without…
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A credit card reporting due date is at least 30 days after the last payment. Unfortunately, some creditors or lenders don’t disclose late payments until they’re 60 days past the due date. This is why it’s imperative to check the…
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If you’re worried about your current collection of credit cards, you’re not alone. The average American cardholder has four credit cards, says Experian. Nowadays, banks, credit unions, and even grocery stores are handing out credit cards like Halloween candy. While…
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When you’re the victim of identity theft, it can be a traumatic experience. Not only do you have to deal with the stress of having your personal information stolen and used against you, but it can also take a toll…
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When you owe money to a credit card company, utility company, bank, or any other creditor, you could be sued in civil court and have that judgment entered on your credit report. Obviously, having a civil judgment on your credit…
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The numerous variables of your credit report can be intimidating, especially if you are simply trying to improve your rating. It can be difficult to contend with all of the sometimes conflicting information as well as keeping track of the…
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If you’re wondering what laws might apply to independent contractors in the state of Florida, you’re not alone. Some of these statutes and laws are written in ways that establish a gray area, creating confusion for human resources and alternate…
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Medical issues, whether they happen to you or someone in your family, can have an extremely negative impact on your everyday life. Not only will you have to focus on healing and getting back to normalcy at work and home,…
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Dealing with creditors is difficult enough on its own, but when reporting errors show up on your credit report and hurt your credit rating, it can be very demoralizing. If this has happened to you, you know first hand that…
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When you are a job applicant, it is essential to have a perfect resume, cover letter, and interview. What you may not know is that polishing your credit is also a vital part of the application process. The Professional Background…
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A consumer’s financial future is greatly affected by what is in their credit report. Keeping close tabs on the rise and fall of the score may be important for everyone. Your credit report may dictate whether you qualify for certain…
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Job hunting can be stressful and often requires just as much work as a full-time position. You likely have a full plate between revamping your resume, filling out applications, and scheduling interviews. However, it may surprise you that some employers…
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Your credit can significantly impact many aspects of your life, from your ability to rent or buy a home to whether you get hired for the job of your dreams. As much as you may strive for a high credit…
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Errors on your credit report could cause your credit score to be significantly lower than it would usually be. Unfortunately, a lower credit score could impact your ability to get a loan or credit card and could drive your interest…
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Having a good credit score is essential to take care of many of life’s necessities, such as buying or renting a home or purchasing a car. Since your score can impact many areas of your life, credit bureaus are required…
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A collection can be a significant and lasting detriment to your credit report. Having a collection on your credit report will negatively impact your credit score and could remain on your report for up to seven years. Even if you…
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The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) includes a section known as permissible purpose. It establishes the need for written consent or documentation from the consumer before a financial institution can pull the individual’s credit report. This credit report investigation is…
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The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law to ensure the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the information in consumer credit bureau files. The law regulates how credit reporting agencies collect, access, use, and share the data collected…
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Credit reporting agencies are legally required to gather and report consumer information with the utmost accuracy. Combined, the three largest credit reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – keep files on hundreds of millions of Americans and issue billions…
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One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of a credit report is the moment between clicking “review” and waiting for when the report is generated. Whether you have good or bad credit, a credit report can always overwhelming, especially when it…
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Most people would never think that their three by three-inch credit card could one day make them the target of a lawsuit by a multi-billion-dollar corporation, but it can happen. More often than not, credit card companies looking to get…
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If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you are likely familiar with how much your life can change. Identity thieves can take your financial information, purchase expensive items in your name, and leave you to deal with the consequences….
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In this day in age, living without some line of credit is nearly impossible. With credit being a necessity to purchase a home or car and when renting, it is of no surprise why roughly 79% of Americans have at…
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Are you struggling to track down your debt collector? It may sound a bit off kilter, but this is a common issue for debtors. A TransUnion study concluded that Americans possess an average of 2.69 credit cards per person. Combine…
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The role of marketers is to ensure that their brand remains relevant in the eyes of the consumer. In this day and age, easing your foot off of the figurative marketing pedal can result in a competitor taking over the…
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It has become common knowledge that robocalls are illegal, yet and still, companies continue to place them at an alarming rate. For those unaware, a robocall is call placed using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS). The technology used can…
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The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) has long-served as the protective barrier between consumers and unsolicited calls and texts. The statute protects consumers from calls made using automated telephone dialing systems (ATDS), otherwise known as robocalls. Telemarketers, debt collectors, and…
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Remember the days when spam was a few stray pieces of mail in your mailbox welcoming you to sign up for a credit card or accept a “free” cruise? It has then since evolved to thousands of unread messages in…
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Have you ever received a phone call from someone selling luxury catalog items, digital protection, or worse, chocolate? These are some of the most common telemarketing calls placed on a daily basis to millions of unwilling Americans. When faced with…
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Many Americans would admit that they have become somewhat immune to debt collection calls. With calls occurring at such a high frequency and regarding everything from student loans to mortgage payments, people often forget to stop and figure out if…
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Your credit score is likely something you hold dear to your heart, as you should. It can expose you to exclusive opportunities while simultaneously restricting you to limited, unfavorable options. With services like Credit Karma and myFICO, individuals can get…
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People commonly associate credit checks with events like purchasing a car, renting a home, applying for a loan, and many other situations where knowing your credit history is pertinent. One instance when many people do not expect to have their…
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People use their credit cards to purchase just about anything in-store or online, leaving the opportunity for complications to arise. Many consumers choose to shop strictly with cash to avoid the possible problems associated with regular credit card use. One…
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There are a few things you must pay attention to when you open a credit card account: the annual percentage rate (APR), credit limit, and any charges or fees. Knowing this information can help you choose the right credit card,…
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Credit cards are known to be convenient finance options, but there is plenty more to having a credit card than knowing your limit. There are retailers and financial institutions that access your credit report via inquiries that have the potential…
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Unbeknownst to them, college students and high school seniors are primary targets of identity theft. Their credit reports are typically limited, and neither they nor their parents tend to pay much attention to their credit history. Combine this with young…
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An improperly programmed register can easily print your sensitive information on the receipt, exposing you and thousands of others to fraud. This has happened to many Americans and continues to be an issue which is why Congress implemented the Fair…
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Major healthcare diagnostics company LabCorp has settled a striking class action lawsuit for allegations that it violated terms of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA). With over 50 locations throughout Florida, they are a prominent healthcare provider known…
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Having to choose which debts to pay off first is not a situation anyone wants to be in, yet millions of Americans face these decisions every day. When it comes to credit card debt and payday loan debt, it can…
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In the consumer banking industry, Wells Fargo is not known for doing what is best for their customers. Just last year, they settled a massive class-action lawsuit for over $16 million after allegations that they had violated the Telephone Consumer…
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Forced arbitration clauses have made their way into hundreds of consumer contracts. Whether you are buying a cell phone plan, signing up for a credit card or even purchasing a car (or the insurance that comes with it), you have…
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If you have signed up for a credit card or even downloaded a coupon for a box of cereal recently, you probably have agreed to forced arbitration. Nearly everyone in America has agreed to a forced arbitration clause at some…
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Using a credit card comes with a lot of responsibility and can carry certain risks, yet recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed that credit cards are being opened at an alarming rate. As of June…
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Identity theft is a prevalent crime in the United States, with approximately 9 million cases each year. Thieves who steal people’s identities to commit fraud can deplete funds, hurt consumer’s credit scores and even make it difficult for patients to…
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Consumers have many protections in the United States as incidents of fraud are rampant. As an increasing number of consumers rely upon credit and debit cards to make purchases, more sensitive information is released and put at risk of fraud….
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There is no shortage of debt collection agencies throughout the country ready to pounce on consumers who have fallen behind in paying their bills. Millions of Americans are in debt right now and for many, their daily lives are further…
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When you have outstanding debt with a credit card company you become a target of debt collectors. Whether it is the original creditor or a collection agency, you run the risk of becoming the victim of debt collection harassment. Only…
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These days, most people carry a debit card with them in place of cash to pay for purchases when they do not want to run up their credit cards. In fact, 185 million people in the United States are debit…
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