Credit 101

Credit Monitoring & Fraud Protection

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Does Investing Affect Your Credit Score?

by Kristin Hudson | Aug 21, 2023

Navigating personal finances has often left people pondering whether their investments affect their credit scores. In this blog post, we aim to provide an answer by untangling the relationship between investing and credit scores. By clearing up misconceptions, pointing out the differences, and diving into the factors that really influence your credit score, we give you a complete picture of how investing affects your credit score. Do Investment...

What Makes Up My FICO® Score?

by Kristin Hudson | Aug 18, 2023

Your credit score plays a big role in shaping your financial opportunities. And whether you're trying to get a loan, credit card, or better interest rates, lenders pay close attention to your FICO® Score in particular. In fact, FICO® Scores are used by more than 90% of major lenders. In this blog, we explore the components that make up your FICO® Score and break down why it matters in your financial life. What Is a FICO® Score? Your FICO® Score...

What Is a Charge-Off and What Does It Mean for Your Credit?

by Kristin Hudson | Apr 4, 2023

If you're trying to understand how credit works, you might have come across the term "charge-off." A charge-off is an important concept to understand because it can significantly impact your credit score and financial health. In this blog, we explain a charge-off, how it happens, and what it means for your credit. What is a Charge-Off? A charge-off is a term used in the credit industry to describe an account declared uncollectible by a lender....

Why Do You Need to Check All Three Credit Reports?

by Brian Acton | Mar 27, 2023

If you haven't noticed, your credit report includes your credit card accounts, loans, payment history and more. Collectively this information determines your credit scores. It’s important to know what is in your credit history to ensure the information is fair and accurate, stay on top of your credit score, look for ways to help your credit and watch out for fraudulent activity. But keeping an eye on one credit score with a single credit...

Does Credit Card Fraud Affect Your Credit Score?

by Kristin Hudson | Mar 21, 2023

Credit card fraud involves someone using another person's credit card information to purchase goods and services illegally without their knowledge. Credit card fraud is a very common form of identity theft that has existed for a long time. As the use of credit cards has increased over time, so has the credit card fraud rate. In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission received close to 390,000 reports of credit card fraud. In this blog, we explain...

What is a Good Length of Credit History?

by Kristin Hudson | Mar 17, 2023

Have you ever wondered how long your credit history should be? Is there an ideal length? Does the length of your credit history affect your credit scores? This blog explains what your credit history is and how it affects your credit scores. What is Credit History? Your credit history is a huge component of your credit report. Your credit history helps calculate your credit scores. Your credit history is used to help determine if you’re a good...

Why Do I Have Different Credit Scores?

by Kristin Hudson | Mar 9, 2023

Have you ever wondered why you have different credit scores from all three major credit bureaus? Let us help explain. The information that gets reported to each credit bureau can be different. And your credit scores might be calculated by different scoring models. So how do you know which credit score to follow? Or which score is more important? Read on for more information. Why Do I Have Multiple Credit Scores? As we all know, credit scores...

Do Credit Scores Update on Holidays?

by Kristin Hudson | Dec 14, 2022

With the holiday season in full swing, it's normal to get caught up in searching for the right holiday gifts, planning parties, sending greeting cards and opening your home to family and friends. But if you wish to keep your credit health in check during this period, it's wise to pay special attention to your credit report and credit scores. But do credit scores get updated on holidays? Well, here’s what you need to know. Do Credit Scores...

What Does a Tri-Merge Credit Report Mean?

by Kristin Hudson | Dec 7, 2022

Your credit report is a record of your credit history. It includes your credit accounts, such as mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. Your credit report also provides information about your payment history, work history, addresses and the number of credit inquiries and by whom. The credit reporting bureaus are organizations that keep track of your credit history. There are three major credit bureaus in the United States: Equifax®, Experian®,...