Credit Reports

The CARES Act made significant changes to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Learn how to protect your credit rating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: I carried a mortgage on a property I rented out and I would like to report rent payments to the credit reporting agency. How can I do this? A:  Thanks for reaching out and for your question about reporting...

After the Equifax data breach where thieves stole the Social Security numbers and personal info of 143 million Americans, many people are considering credit freezes to lock down their credit reports. But some folks ask: "Why should I have to...

Q: A woman recently reached out to me, explaining that she was in the middle of a divorce, and that her spouse wasn’t paying a debt he agreed to pay – namely, the couple’s timeshare bill. She was making all...

Having a tax lien on your credit report can weigh down your credit score, and can even make it tougher – if not impossible – to do things like sell or refinance a property, or get a loan. After all,...

Over the years, many people have asked me whether it’s worth it to pay a credit repair firm to remove negative information from their credit reports. My typical reply is: No, it’s usually not worth it – mainly because hiring...

= Let’s assume that you have taken advantage of your federal right to see your credit files via www.annualcreditreport.com. Did you know that in addition to that once-a-year deal, you can get free credit reports again and again and again—multiple...

Q. Is there any way to report  to the credit bureaus all the things you do pay on time to raise your credit score? (i.e., rent, electric bill, child care, etc.) If so, is there a form I need to fill...

I get a lot of questions on AskTheMoneyCoach.com from people who want to improve their credit scores or fix issues with their credit reports. This doesn’t surprise me, since your credit can determine everything from your ability to rent an...

If you are diligent about monitoring your credit report regularly and take steps to maintain a healthy credit score, you may be wondering how long negative information such as delinquent accounts, judgments, and other adverse information stays on your report....

Q: I recently found a car I really liked and could afford, however, when auto dealer at Toyota wanted to run my credit, (over phone, by the way) with my approval, he called back and said, no credit history is coming up...

Getting your free credit reports is an important aspect of managing your credit and keeping tabs on your overall finances. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay for this. You can actually access each of your credit files online, instantly, and free of...

If you to want to look good to anyone who’s watching you, it's important to create a beautiful profile -- a beautiful credit profile, that is! Who might be watching you? Lenders, credit card companies, even prospective employers all might...

Can your landlord repeatedly pull your credit report anytime he or she wants? A reader of AskTheMoneyCoach.com claims that their landlord is constantly pulling her credit report month after month. Does she have the right to stop her landlord? Has...

Checking your credit report at least once a year – even if you don’t use credit cards or have any loans – can help you correct any mistakes that could be hurting your credit score. Every entry on your credit...