If you are a victim of identity theft, you already know, all too well, that it can impact your entire life, from reducing your credit score to having to spend your days fighting with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or others who may institute collection efforts against you for debts that aren’t yours. As difficult […]
At this point, it may seem that identity theft is so pervasive that it’s becoming less serious: It seems as if all you have to do is notify your bank of any fraudulent credit card charges and then move on with your life. However, consider these recent instances of identity theft to see how these […]
Your credit score wields a lot of influence over your life. It can be the make-or-break determinate when buying a car, securing a mortgage, or accessing a line of credit for a new business venture. We’d like to think the logic behind our score is pretty bulletproof, but that may not be the case. In […]
Risk Factors for Mixed Files—Names and Neighborhoods One of the major types of credit report errors is a mixed file, which occurs when the credit reporting agencies combine information from multiple individuals. This error often occurs when individuals share similar names, social security numbers, addresses, birth dates, or other demographic details. The credit reporting agencies […]
America runs on…data? If you stopped in at a Dunkin’ Donuts location between 2015 and 2019, there’s a good chance that you paid a hefty price for that cold-brew coffee or glazed kruller. That may be in part because the popular pastry chain was targeted by hackers who gained illicit access to customers’ Dunkin-branded payment […]
Twinning equals winning, at least much of the time. Ask a twin whether they enjoy being irrevocably linked to an identical or very similar sibling, and you’ll probably hear some crazy twin stories about fooling friends, tricking teachers, and having a built-in best friend. But there are some occasions when being a twin is a […]
As a father, you always want what’s best for your children. Over the years, this has probably meant some sacrifices. While some sacrifice is normal, there are certain burdens you shouldn’t have to take on for your child. What’s an example of one of these? Your son’s bad credit choices and actions. You do not […]
Family legacies can feel impossible to live up to, especially if you’re named after your father or one in a line of many with the same name. That pressure can be challenging enough—so what do you do when your dad’s credit impacts your credit report because you both have the same name? What happens when […]
Can you imagine knowing that you’re dying of multiple cancers, trying to make sure your spouse of 50 years could cover burial costs, and attempting to renovate your home, and then being denied your HELOC application? That’s what happened to James Rennick. He was told that there was a problem with his credit report. It […]
You’ve worked hard to build your credit, you’ve paid your bills on time, and you’ve responsibly increased card limits over time. Finally, it’s time to apply for a car loan, a mortgage, or even a new job and reap the benefits. But then the representative comes back, and your application has been denied because of […]