The title of this piece alone is enough to ruffle the feathers of the die-hard believers in the cash-and-carry lifestyle. So, before I even begin with my explanation of the many ways that swearing off credit can come back to bite you, let me begin by stating that…
Category: Credit Reports
Collection Accounts: Are “Pay for Delete” Deals Real?
“Dear Michelle, I am so upset right now! I just applied for a mortgage and was turned down because of 3 medical collection accounts on my credit. All of the accounts are from the same collection agency. The worst part is that I didn’t even know these accounts…
3 Big Myths That Can Hurt Your Credit
Let’s face it, there is a lot of bad information floating around the internet about the subject of credit. Credit myths abound and blindly following information or advice from someone who is not truly qualified to give credit advice can cause some serious damage to your credit scores…
3 Steps to Protect Your Credit after the Target Data Breach
The reported number of consumers who were victims of the Target data breach has varied widely. Original estimates indicated that 40 million Target customers had their payment information compromised. Later reports, as more information came to light, state that as many as 110 million consumers may be victims…
Credit Reports and Credit Scores – What’s the Difference?
Credit Reports versus Credit Scores Let’s face it, for most people the world of credit can be a very confusing place. If you can’t explain the difference between a credit report and a credit score, you are not alone. People often use the terms “credit reports” and “credit…
Do I Have Too Many Credit Cards?
Credit cards can have a big impact upon your credit scores. Because of this fact, many credit savvy consumers often wonder about the ideal number of credit cards to have open. These consumers often pose questions such as “do I have too many credit cards?” or “should I…