CreditScores

The number of consumers in the top credit score range has reached its highest level since fall 2008, a report by FICO Labs shows, which could indicate more Americans are working to better their personal finances.

In these shaky economic times, your credit score carries more weight than ever, which means building a credit history is vital. Paying bills on time is one thing that buffs up your score, but until now, paying your rent meant nothing. Credit bureau Experian and RentReporters.com are changing that.

If your credit reports are riddled with numerous late payments or major black marks – like a recent foreclosure or a fresh bankruptcy filing – it probably comes as no surprise that you'll have a tougher time getting a loan than someone with perfect credit. But what about those of you...

Rebuilding your life after bankruptcy – including your credit rating, finances and your emotional well-being – can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. But if you've recently filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection, it's important to realize that there is life...

Prepaid credit cards are marketed as a great tool for training teens about credit. But critics point to a long list of steep fees and penalties. That leaves parents to figure out if the credit lessons are worth the money. Here's what to consider before buying that card.

Your credit score impacts your ability to get out of debt and stay out of debt. The worse your credit score, the higher the interest rate you will be charged on money you borrow. The better your score, the less your debt will cost you and the quicker you'll be able to pay it off.

In most places, it's perfectly legal for a prospective employer to pull your credit report and decline to hire you if they don't like what they see. The trouble is, credit reports are often rife with errors (if you recall, we told you how to fix those credit report errors), some of which can drag...

Sorry, parents; if your kids don't have a grasp on finances and aren't budget-savvy, don't point a finger at the school or the marketing messages they see every day. According to a new survey, you should look in the mirror if you want someone to blame. A recently-published survey conducted by ING...

We here at WalletPop keep telling you how important your credit score is, but what's a hardworking American to do if there's a mistake on that all-important score -- one that could be costing them valuable points that could translate into a better rate on a mortgage, car loan or credit card?...

This isn't your father's banker. Your father's banker was probably human. Today, you can get online loans without ever stepping into a bank -- actually, without even leaving your home. But that facelessness can be either convenient or dangerous. You need to be cautious when shopping for online...