credit reports
Freeze Your Credit in 3 Steps
Freeze Your Credit in 3 Steps
Freezing your accounts at the three major credit bureaus is the best way to prevent thieves from opening new credit accounts in your name.
January 10, 2022
Good Marriage, Bad Credit
Good Marriage, Bad Credit
Credit reports aren’t merged for married couples, but their individual records affect joint loans.
December 21, 2021
What Does Your Credit Score Really Mean?
What Does Your Credit Score Really Mean?
Your score helps lenders assess the likelihood you’ll repay a loan. It can also help you assess your credit health.
December 20, 2021
Think Twice Before You Close a Credit Card
Think Twice Before You Close a Credit Card
Even if you’re no longer using it, closing an account could ding your credit score.
June 24, 2021
Protect Yourself Against New ID-Theft Schemes
Protect Yourself Against New ID-Theft Schemes
Crooks are using more-sophisticated tricks to steal your data. It's time to improve your armor.
May 27, 2021
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How to Fix Your Credit Reports
How to Fix Your Credit Reports
Before you apply for a mortgage or car loan, check your credit files for errors that could derail your plans.
May 24, 2021
Get Free Weekly Credit Reports for Another Year
Get Free Weekly Credit Reports for Another Year
Take advantage of the extension to check each report for errors or signs of fraudulent activity.
March 26, 2021
How to Keep Tabs on Your Credit Report
How to Keep Tabs on Your Credit Report
Free weekly access is ending, but several services let you view your credit files more than once a year.
March 5, 2021
Give Your Credit a Boost
Give Your Credit a Boost
When times get tough, your credit profile could take a hit. Here’s how to keep it in shape.
August 27, 2020
Banks Canceling Credit Cards, Cutting Limits
Banks Canceling Credit Cards, Cutting Limits
If you haven’t used a card in awhile, make a small purchase with it to keep it open. It’s good for your credit score.
June 4, 2020
What to Know About the New FICO Score
What to Know About the New FICO Score
Credit expert Gerri Detweiler joins our hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to talk about how the new FICO scoring system could affect your credit score.…
March 16, 2020
7 Habits of People With Excellent Credit Scores
7 Habits of People With Excellent Credit Scores
Want to improve your credit score?
March 12, 2020
7 Things to Do Right Away If You're a Victim of a Data Breach
7 Things to Do Right Away If You're a Victim of a Data Breach
In today's digital age, data breaches have become all too common and leave unsuspecting consumers vulnerable to a host of identity theft issues.
March 6, 2020
Changes Are Coming to Your Credit Score
Changes Are Coming to Your Credit Score
FICO’s newest model takes a long-term look at how you’ve managed credit.
March 5, 2020
70 Valuable Things You Can Get for Free
70 Valuable Things You Can Get for Free
Only one thing beats getting a good price on something, and that’s getting it for free.
February 19, 2020
Credit vs. Debit Smackdown!
Credit vs. Debit Smackdown!
Kiplinger.com general manager Robert Long joins the podcast to debate the merits of credit and debit cards. Plus, hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey bre…
January 27, 2020
Does Your Credit Card Measure Up?
Does Your Credit Card Measure Up?
Knowing your card’s mechanics can help you avoid high rates and fees.
December 30, 2019
The Best Rewards Credit Cards, 2017
The Best Rewards Credit Cards, 2017
Rewards credit cards keep getting more and more rewarding.
December 17, 2019
How to Build a Credit History
How to Build a Credit History
Credit newbies can take advantage of both tried-and-true methods and new alternatives.
October 7, 2019
Should You Get a Loan From Your Credit Card?
Should You Get a Loan From Your Credit Card?
The convenience can come at a steep cost. But there are options.
October 3, 2019
How to Fix a Mistake on Your Credit Report
How to Fix a Mistake on Your Credit Report
Kiplinger's resident credit guru Lisa Gerstner joins our podcast hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey to explain how to take on the credit bureaus if ther…
September 23, 2019
The Best You Can Hope for from the Equifax Settlement
The Best You Can Hope for from the Equifax Settlement
The average payout will be far less than $125. But you may be reimbursed for other costs.
August 30, 2019
Battle the Credit Bureaus ... and Win
Battle the Credit Bureaus ... and Win
Whether you’re contesting an error or combating fraud, use our guide to give yourself the best shot at success.
August 29, 2019
What Being an "Authorized User" Does to Your Credit Score
What Being an "Authorized User" Does to Your Credit Score
An adult child's credit score may dip–or even rise–after he or she is removed as an authorized user of a parent's credit card.
August 29, 2019
Equifax Settlement: Should You Take the Money?
Equifax Settlement: Should You Take the Money?
Contributing editor Lisa Gerstner discusses the Equifax data-breach settlement and the recent Capital One breach. Also, hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Erm…
August 5, 2019
Capital One Data Breach: 5 Steps to Avoid Identity Theft, Fraud
Capital One Data Breach: 5 Steps to Avoid Identity Theft, Fraud
Be proactive to protect your sensitive personal information from scammers.
August 1, 2019