credit scores

Study: 1 in 5 Consumers Had Error in Credit Report

One in five consumers had an error in a credit report issued by a major agency, according to a government study. The FTC study also said that 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products.

6 Myths Couples Should Stop Believing About Joint Bank Accounts

Setting up a joint bank account is a pretty standard move for most couples, but things start to get a little dicey when it comes to credit cards. Many consumers are confused about what happens to their credit when they get married. Here are some of the most widely-held myths.

Meet the Man with a Near-Perfect Credit Score

The median FICO credit score is 723, and a perfect score -- 850 -- is virtually impossible to achieve, according to experts. So how did Tom Pavelka of Westlake, Ohio, end up with a score of 848?

CFPB Complaint Site Takes on Credit Report Issues, Too

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's complaint website already gave Americans a way to seek redress over problems with credit cards, mortgages, bank accounts, auto or personal loans, even student loans. Now, it's also ready to help us deal with credit reporting agencies.

FICO Finds More Consumers Approaching Perfect Scores

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.

How Paying the Rent Can Boost Your Credit Score

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.

Prepaid Cards for Teens:
Tool or Trap?

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.

S&P Cuts Credit Ratings for AT&T and Verizon

Standard & Poor's lowered the credit ratings for AT&T and Verizon Communications on Monday, saying that increased competition will make it harder for the two largest phone companies to pay down their long-term debt.

There's No Hiding: Nine Industries That Know Your Every Move

Don't kid yourself. Real privacy no longer exists in this country. From your hobbies to your income to your phone calls, pretty much everything about you is tracked by someone, somewhere. We've examined the most intrusive firms and industries -- some of them may surprise you.