Protect Your Good Credit

Have you checked the credit limit being offered to you on your credit cards? If you haven’t, you should.
Most credit card companies issue cards with a certain credit limit based on your credit rating at the time of application. As time goes on, if your credit rating remains good and your […]

So far this year we have learned that millions of consumer personal data records have been compromised by numerous large creditors and processing companies. This information has been made available as a result of innovative legislation from several states. So far, however, it hasn’t dampened the increasing numbers of Americans who are victims […]

As a result of recent laws passed by several states, initially California, creditors and processors of consumer data must notify individuals if their data is compromised due to theft, loss or other means. Prior to these laws being passed, consumers were not made aware they may be at risk for identity theft due to […]

Michelle Malkin has posted an extensive article on her blog about the recent “identity theft” of Maryland’s Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. In her article, Ms. Malkin points out the recent activities of Democrats working for Sen. Charles Schumer at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. By inappropriately obtaining Steele’s social security number and […]

Credit report errors occur for a number of reasons but they can all have a negative impact on your eligibility for any future credit. It’s important to stay on top of your credit report to avoid any mistakes made by the creditors and credit bureaus —Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Some common reasons for credit report […]

Get yourself prepared, folks, because credit card companies are raising their minimum payments. In 2003 banking regulators passed some new guidelines requiring most companies issuing credit cards to raise their minimum payment. The guidance indicates lenders must establish “minimum payments that will amortize the current balance over a reasonable period of time.”
This means […]

As a mortgage broker, I become very familiar with the financial pictures of my clients. Most expect me to give them feedback on their credit history and often ask for direction if they have a credit issue. More and more I’m hearing stories of extreme tactics some collection companies are taking in pursuing unpaid debt.
Phone […]

The response of some businesses trying to curb identity theft is to put in biometric identification systems to handle purchase transactions. Instead of carrying a credit or debit card, you simply press your thumb to a touch pad. It does, at first, seem convenient and appealing. After all, you never leave home […]

Since credit is so easy to obtain in today’s world, often at a moment’s notice, it could create unexpected liability for married individuals. In some cases, whether you are aware of a spouse getting new credit or not; whether it’s a joint account or not; you could be liable for your spouse’s debt.
For those […]

It costs us millions every year. Can you afford it?
Data security experts in Europe don’t collect statistics on identity theft because it’s not seen as enough of a problem. Conversely, the Federal Trade Commission reports that over 10 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year.
Europeans, as a rule, have national identity […]