| Description |
xvii, 171 pages ; 22 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| Contents |
1. Why your credit score matters -- How your credit score affects you -- What it costs long term to have a poor or mediocre credit score -- How credit scoring came into being -- How credit use has changed over the years -- Consumer's fight for truth about credit scores -- Credit controversies -- Credit scoring's vulnerability to errors -- Credit scoring's complexity -- Credit scoring's use for noncredit decisions -- Credit scoring's potential unfairness -- Conclusion -- 2. How credit scoring works -- What is a good score? -- Your credit report : the building blocks for your score -- How your score is calculated -- The five most important factors -- Your payment history -- How much you owe -- How long you've had credit -- Your last application for credit -- The types of credit you use -- Your credit scorecard -- Your results might differ -- How do I get my score? -- 3. Improving your score, the right way -- Step 1 : start with your credit report -- Check the identifying information -- Carefully review the credit accounts -- Parse through your inquiries -- Examine your collections and public records -- Dispute the errors -- Step 2 : pay your bills on time -- How to make sure your bills get paid on time, all the time -- Automatic payments -- Recurring credit card charges -- Online bill payment -- Just pay your bills as they come in -- Step 3 : pay down your debt -- You need to reduce what you owe, rather than just moving your balances around -- You might need to change your approach to paying off debt -- You need to pay attention to how much you charge, even if you pay your balances off in full every month -- How to find money to pay down your debt -- Step 4 : don't close credit cards or other revolving accounts -- Step 5 : apply for credit sparingly -- How to get a credit score if you don't have credit -- Check you credit report, if you have one -- Set up checking and savings accounts -- Use someone else's good name -- Apply for credit while you're a college student -- Apply for an alternate card -- Get an installment loan -- Credit scores without credit -- |
| Subject |
Credit scoring systems -- United States.
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Consumer credit -- United States.
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Credit ratings -- United States.
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| ISBN |
0131486039: $17.95 |
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