Featured articles written by Creditnet staff to inform, educate, and empower you in the world of credit
Credit 101
- ABCs of Credit: What is Credit?
May 4, 2009
Nothing down, 24 monthly payments! Low, low 2.9% APR! We may not hear those words as much as we did in the past; however, we still live in world... - How to Cancel Credit Cards the Right Way
September 4, 2008
If your goal is to improve your credit score, closing credit card accounts is not going to help. However, there are various legitimate reasons for closing credit lines. ... - The Payment Allocation Provision - A Credit Card Company's Best Friend
August 19, 2008
It makes logical sense that consumers should have the power to choose how their payments apply to credit card debt. Of course, some must go towards paying interest charges... - How to Choose and Use a Balance Transfer Credit Card
July 17, 2008
Advertisements promoting zero-percent balance transfer offers can look quite appealing when high-interest credit card debt is keeping you up at night. What could be better than transferring your debt... - Beware of Credit Card Currency Conversion Fees!
June 2, 2008
As credit card issuers continue to look for additional ways to boost fee revenue in the midst of the credit crisis, consumers traveling overseas should pay special attention to foreign...
Credit in the News
- Reduced Credit Card Limits Hurt Consumer Credit Scores
July 6, 2008
We spend a great deal of time in the credit industry educating consumers about credit utilization and explaining why it's important to understand the term. As banks and... - Experian Implements New Credit Scoring Model: Authorized User Accounts Dropped
June 27, 2008
The Fair Isaac Corporation announced a major change in 2007 to their credit scoring formula, which ignited quite a bit of controversy and anticipation throughout the industry over... - The Fed Cracks Down on Credit Card Companies - Too Little Too Late?
May 19, 2008
In early May the Fed issued several new proposals designed to protect consumers by restricting various credit card billing practices and requiring more clarity in disclosure of costs. The...
College Credit
- Top 5 Ways to Manage Student Loans
February 25, 2009
College graduation should be one of the most exciting times in your life. You've worked hard to get your degree and prepare yourself for a successful and fulfilling career.... - Your Credit GPA: 3 Must-Know Credit Concepts for Students
October 17, 2008
Isn't it about time you gained some Credit¢ents? Perhaps you've never had to worry about credit before, but now you're off on your own and it seems like you're... - Five Credit Card Tips for College-Bound Millennials
August 1, 2008
It's that time of year again. A summer full of partying, baking in the sun, and maybe even a job (heaven forbid) is coming to a close for hundreds...
Credit Repair & Debt
- Top 5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Credit
April 9, 2009
Spring is meant to be a time of renewal and rejuvenation. For many people, this might include cleaning out the old attic or scrubbing the entire house from floor... - 2009 - The Year to Get Rid of Debt
January 5, 2009
Consumers have truly witnessed an ironic turn of events in the credit card world. For decades credit issuers have ferociously competed to be the first card in... - Don't Become a Foreclosure Statistic
November 3, 2008
Home foreclosures rose to the highest level on record in the third quarter of 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a leading online real estate marketplace and publisher of...
Credit Scores & Credit Reports
- Why Credit Still Counts
June 5, 2009
It's easy to despise the credit issuers. Who else should we blame for the ugly state in which our credit card industry exists today? Should we blame consumers for... - What Makes Up Your FICO Score?
January 19, 2009
Perhaps the most common question about credit is, "What makes up my FICO Score?" That may not surprise you since you're reading this article to answer that very question.... - How to Start Building Credit from Scratch
November 30, 2008
It really is a classic Catch-22 - You've got to have credit to get credit. So, if you have no credit history at all, how should you go about... - Top 10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Credit
May 26, 2008
The most difficult part about beginning a new exercise routine is often getting your butt off the couch to go to the gym. Yes, those endless reruns of...
Identity Theft
- How Does Identity Theft Protection Work?
May 20, 2009
As identity theft numbers reach record levels, more people are turning to identity protection services to help safeguard their financial reputation. You've heard the commercials on the airways,... - Identity Thieves Prey on Job Seekers
March 18, 2009
Are you out of work and looking for a job? Unfortunately, there may be some people out there who wish to prey on your bad fortune. Identity thieves in particular... - Freeze Your Credit Reports to Prevent Identity Theft
February 6, 2009
While millions of consumers continue to fall victim to identity theft each year, many are starting to fight back with new tools— credit alerts and credit freezes. Sounds effective, right?... - Credit Card Fraud: How It Happens and What to Do About It
December 15, 2008
It may start off practically unnoticeable, with a few charges here and there. Over time, though, your credit card statements begin to reflect purchases in places you're quite sure you've... - Checking Your Credit Report for Signs of Identity Theft
November 14, 2008
Most of us have seen the clever Citibank commercials that portray identity theft victims boasting about illegal purchases with dubbed voices that are clearly not their own.... - What To Do When Someone Steals Your Identity
October 9, 2008
Think you're having a bad day? Stuck in traffic, late for work, your kid is flunking math, the kitchen is a mess after dropping an egg? Well, you can relax... - Beware of High-Tech Identity Theft Tactics
September 21, 2008
For the eighth year in a row, identity theft led the way in 2007 as "the number one consumer complaint category". The Federal Trade Commission's list...
