What Does “ND” Mean on Your Credit Report? (And Why It Could Be Costing You Money)
You’re sitting there, coffee in hand, finally doing the “adult” thing: checking your credit report. You’re scrolling through the rows of data from Experian or TransUnion, expecting to see a sea of “OK” or “Current” statuses. But then, you spot it. A mysterious two-letter code: ND. Your heart sinks a little. Is it a late […]
SSN Fraud Alert: What It Is and How to Protect Your Identity
An ssn fraud alert is one of the quickest ways to respond when your Social Security number may be exposed. It places a warning on your credit file so lenders take extra steps before approving new accounts. This guide explains what a fraud alert does, how to set one up, and what actions to take […]
How Does Identity Theft Protection Actually Work, and is it Worth the Cost?
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the digital age. With millions of personal records compromised each year, more consumers are turning to identity theft protection services to help safeguard their information. But how do these services actually work — and are they really worth the monthly fee? Below, we’ll break down how […]
TransUnion vs Equifax: Which Credit Report Is More Accurate?
Your credit report plays a major role in shaping your financial opportunities—from loan approvals to interest rates. Two of the biggest players in the credit reporting industry, TransUnion vs Equifax, each maintain a detailed record of your financial behavior. But if you’ve ever compared your reports from these bureaus, you may have noticed that they […]
The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Credit Report
When you think about your financial health, one of the most crucial elements to consider is your credit report. This document serves as a comprehensive summary of your credit history, detailing your borrowing and repayment behaviors. However, many people overlook potential credit report dangers, such as errors, identity theft, or outdated information, which can negatively […]
Cracking the Code: Understanding Credit Reports for Pre-retirees
Gain insight into decoding credit reports to make informed financial decisions as a pre-retiree. Understand how credit reports impact your retirement planning.
Capital One Rolls Out Credit Tracker, Free Credit Scores for Customers
Keeping tabs on your credit score is a great way to help maintain good credit health. So people with Capital One credit cards will be happy to know that starting very soon, the bank will roll out free credit scores and a suite of credit-education tools. The new offering is called Credit Tracker, and it […]
Credit Monitoring Explained
Credit monitoring is an electronic, subscription-based service for consumers who want to track their credit activity at the “Big 3” U.S. credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit bureaus, credit scoring firms and other companies typically sell credit monitoring services for a fee ranging from about $10 to $20 a month. But some […]
Get Your FICO Credit Score Free and Help Your Credit Rating
Checking your FICO credit score at least once a year is a good way to stay on top of your credit rating. That’s why you may be happy to learn that myFICO.com – the consumer website of Fair Isaac, creator of the FICO score – is offering you the opportunity to get your FICO score […]
7 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
If someone uses your personal identifying information such as your name, address, Social Security number, and credit card numbers to steal money or create a false identity, you have been a victim of identity theft. Scam artists are becoming better and better at stealing sensitive information from credit card machines, over the Web, and even […]
Why Critics Are Wrong About Credit Monitoring Services
Most financial experts agree that routinely checking your credit reports is a smart idea. If you ask those same experts about credit monitoring services, however, you’ll likely get a lot of eye-rolling and negative comments.