Category: Personal Credit

How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Credit Reports

How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Credit Reports

Your credit reports are filled with data about your credit obligations and how you manage them. What you might not realize is that your reports contain other important details as well, like records of when others access your credit information. These records are known in the credit world as inquiries and here’s how to remove hard inquiries from credit reports. Some inquiries, called hard inquiries, have the potential to trigger a drop in your credit score. Read on for a… Read More
Secured vs Unsecured Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

Secured vs Unsecured Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

Highlights: Secured credit cards require a security deposit, while unsecured credit cards do not.  Secured cards are generally easier to qualify for than unsecured cards. These and other types of cards may be helpful for those with limited credit histories or bad credit.   Different credit cards are targeted at different audiences. Some are best for travel, for example, while others are great for groceries.  One distinction between types of credit cards is secured vs. unsecured credit cards. Here’s how each… Read More
138+ Places You Can Get Your Credit Scores for Free

138+ Places You Can Get Your Credit Scores for Free

If you have never tried to check your credit scores, you can’t use the excuse that you don’t want to pay to see them. There are more than 130 websites, banks, and credit unions where you can get your credit score for free. Some offer them to the general public, while others show them only to customers. With that many options, there’s no reason not to know where your credit stands. Before You Check Your Credit Scores… Keep in mind… Read More
Why Are My Credit Scores Different?

Why Are My Credit Scores Different?

“Why are my credit scores different?” is a common question because it’s a common occurrence. You check your credit scores with one source, but then a lender says you have a different score. Or you get your credit scores from two different websites and the numbers aren’t the same. It can be confusing, so let us explain what’s going on.  There are four main reasons why your scores may be different, and we’ll explore them in more detail here: Bureau:… Read More
Why Your Credit Score Might Drop for “No Reason”

Why Your Credit Score Might Drop for “No Reason”

Credit scores go up, and credit scores go down. If you monitor your credit scores over a longer period of time, you’re likely to run into a puzzling situation at some point. Nothing much changed in how you handle your accounts, but your credit score changed for no reason.  If this happens while you’re in the process of applying for credit cards, small business loans or other types of credit, a credit score drop can be downright scary. Here's why… Read More
Can I Raise My Credit Score 100 Points Overnight?

Can I Raise My Credit Score 100 Points Overnight?

When you're a business owner in a cash crunch -- maybe you need some extra capital to make payroll this month, or open a new location -- the last thing you want to hear is that your credit score needs a lot of work before you can qualify for a business loan. You may be tempted when you see ads of promise of quick fixes like credit repair companies. Can you actually raise your personal credit scores 100 points overnight?… Read More