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Ask Creditnet: Can I Rebuild Credit with Prepaid Debit Cards?

Dear Creditnet: I need to start rebuilding my credit so I can purchase a home, but I can't seem to get approved for a credit card. I've applied for 3 different cards this year and I've been denied every time. I feel like giving up. Should I just get a prepaid debit card since they don't do credit checks? There's no way I can get denied, right?

Ask Creditnet: Will My Credit Card Get Closed?

Dear Creditnet: My husband and I have one credit card each and the balances total about $1,200. Due to financial difficulties we have not been able to make any payments on these credit cards for almost a year. At one time we were getting letters from a collection agency, but we are now getting letters to pay our balance from the original creditor.

FICO Score 9: Paid vs Unpaid Collections

90 percent of lenders still use FICO scores in some way when assessing your risk as a borrower. So if you have any interest in ever getting approved for a high limit credit card, auto loan, or a mortgage, it's a wise financial move to know where your FICO scores stand and what you can do to improve them.

Ask Creditnet: This Credit Card Isn't Mine - What Should I Do?

Dear Creditnet: I just pulled my credit report and found out I have a credit card for $1,000, but I never applied for this card. What should I do?

The Lucky 7's of Credit: How to Keep Your Credit Score Above 700

Lights flashing, adrenaline flowing, the scrolling triple 7's rewarding you with the jackpot of a lifetime; who in the world hasn’t dreamed of striking it big in Vegas? You could finally go on that vacation to paradise, pay off your home, or maybe even help support your family for generations to come. But those lucky 7's don’t have to be confined to Vegas.  In fact, one of the most important 7's you should be shooting for is a credit score of 700 or higher.  It may not reward you with cash jackpot worth millions, but obtaining a credit score above 700 will certainly open the door to more desirable credit cards with rewards0% interest credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and other credit products that will save you thousands in interest during your lifetime. 

Debit vs Credit: A Cage Match

Upon entering the ring, the debit card and the credit card look pretty evenly matched. They are the same size and the same shape. Their functions are also similar: electronically transferring money from one owner to another. But when pitted against each other in a head-to-head match, who will come out on top?

Capital One Spark Miles for Business Review

The Capital One® Venture Rewards Card has been a popular credit card ever since it hit the market years ago with its "100,000 Match Your Miles promotion". While that amazing promo offer didn't last as long as we all would have liked, the card itself continues to be a favorite among travel rewards junkies searching for ways to rack up serious miles.

Will Paying A Collection in Full Improve Credit Scores?

Will paying a collection account off in full improve one's credit scores?

I feel like I've answered this question hundreds of times over the past 8 years as I've moderated our Credit Talk Forum. But when I was asked the same question last week by a close friend, it once again reminded me just how confused the average consumer remains regarding collections and how they affect credit scores.

Ask Creditnet: Will Paying a Cell Phone Bill Improve Credit Scores?

Dear Creditnet: I just got a new cell phone and the salesperson mentioned that paying my bill on time each month will help improve my credit. Is this true? If so, will the new cell phone bill have the same type of positive effect on my credit scores as my student credit cards and student loans? - Sandra L. from CA

Ask Creditnet: Help! My Corporate Credit Card is in Collections

Dear Creditnet: I'm currently receiving collection notices from American Express for an unpaid balance on an old corporate credit card. I left the company where I had this card in late 2011. I have combed through all my Amex bills, corporate expense reports and reimbursements, but I've been unable to find any unpaid charges on the card. In addition, because the card was in my name and I incurred all the charges, my former employer takes no responsibility for the unpaid balance even though the charges were made solely for work purposes. Will this affect my personal credit? What should I do now?

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