Blessing Thagisa 
Rebuilding Credit After Bankruptcy Bankruptcy can have a major effect on your credit profile. It can appear as a significant negative event on your credit reports, and accounts connected to the bankruptcy may also show changes to their balances or account status. A bankruptcy can also continue to be considered by credit-scoring models while it … Read more
Starting Credit at 18 Turning 18 is a major financial milestone. For many young adults, it is the first time they can begin applying for certain financial products in their own name, signing contracts independently, renting an apartment, financing a vehicle, and taking more control over their financial future. It is also one of the … Read more
Fundamentals — Building Credit Without Using a Credit Card Many people assume that getting a credit card is the only way to build credit. That belief makes sense because credit cards are one of the most common tools used to establish payment history and credit utilization. However, they are not the only option. You can … Read more
Fundamentals — What Actually Builds Credit Faster Building good credit can take time, but sometimes life does not give you years to prepare. You may be getting ready to rent your first apartment, finance a vehicle, apply for your first credit card, or prepare for a future mortgage. You might also have an established credit … Read more
When you review your credit report, you may notice a section showing companies that have recently accessed your credit information. Some of these entries are known as hard inquiries, and they commonly appear after you apply for a new credit card, mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or another type of credit. Seeing a hard inquiry … Read more
Building good credit doesn’t always require opening your own credit card account. One of the most common ways people begin establishing a credit history is by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account. For many consumers—especially young adults, college students, and individuals with little or no credit history—this can be an effective … Read more
Fundamentals A credit card can be a powerful financial tool when used responsibly. It can help you make purchases, build a positive credit history, and improve your chances of qualifying for loans, mortgages, and other financial products in the future. However, getting approved for a traditional credit card isn’t always easy, especially if you have … Read more
A credit freeze is one of the strongest tools available for protecting yourself against identity theft. By preventing most lenders from accessing your credit reports, a freeze makes it much harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name without your permission. Millions of Americans choose to freeze their credit after experiencing a … Read more
Protecting your personal information has become more important than ever. Every year, millions of consumers receive notifications informing them that their sensitive data may have been exposed in a data breach involving a retailer, financial institution, healthcare provider, employer, or government agency. Once personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or … Read more
Identity theft has become one of the fastest-growing financial crimes in the United States. Large data breaches, phishing scams, stolen Social Security numbers, and online fraud have exposed the personal information of millions of consumers. Even people who carefully manage their finances can become victims if criminals obtain enough personal information to apply for credit … Read more