In 2009, “Identity Theft” accounted for 21% of all complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission.  Number two was “Third Party and Creditor Debt Collection” which totaled 9% of all complaints (119,549).  “Credit card” complaints …

The government has required the three major credit reporting agencies to give you a free copy of your credit report once a year, and you can sign up to get them at …

There is not just one credit score; there are many. For information on the different scores and what goes into them, see our main archive article on Credit Scores.

The standard way to …

As of February, 2010, banks will be restricted in their ability to issue credit cards to people under 21 who do not have “independent means” of paying the bills.  That leaves many college students in …

If you have read anything on this site about companies that tell you they can help you reduce your debts, help you get out of debt, or help you fix your credit, you know we …

There are three major credit reporting agencies (CRA’s) in the U.S. and you are probably recorded on all three of them. Each has different records and different ways of giving you a credit score. …

If the amount you owe a creditor is low (certainly if it is under $1,000), and it is way past due, the best thing for you to do could be to …

Several Federal bank regulators have agreed to set at least some limits on how credit card companies charge interest. This will now go to a public comment period and could change, but if …

These are loans you get from companies like “Cash Advantage” that are very short term, running only to your next paycheck (which you often sign over to the company) — something to “tide you over.” …

The fact is that if you do not have credit cards, or have not been borrowing in other ways, the major Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA’s) might not have enough information to give you a traditional …