Credit & Debt

(FinancialHealth.net) - Identity theft totally sucks, period. If your identity has been stolen, the Federal Trade Commission says you should call them at 1-877-438-4338 or use their website at IdentityTheft.gov to file an official report. Read on for additional steps to limit the damage and recover your losses: Review ALL Account Statements Look for any new or unfamiliar charges. If you...

Smart Quiz: One of the Most Common Frauds Against Debit and Credit Cards is... Skimming BIN attack Card not present Identity Theft Answer: Card not present (FinancialHealth.net) – You’ve probably heard at least one horror story about someone trying to use their debit card and finding it declined for insufficient funds; or someone who has received a dreaded call from the bank...

Save on Cable, Internet, and Phone in a Single Phone Call (FinancialHealth.net) - Looking for ways to lower your monthly budget? While your cable, internet, and phone bills may seem static, these three utilities are often considerably easier to adjust in price than, say, power or gas. In fact, providers will often be happy to help you find a more...

Smart Quiz: Which of These is NOT a Credit Bureau? A) Credit Karma B) Equifax C) Experian D) TransUnion Answer: Credit Karma (FinancialHealth.net) - A lot of people use Credit Karma to track their credit activity, but it is not a credit bureau. Credit Karma is a private site that does offer valuable information and tools. And while you may be able to review items...

Smart Quiz: How Long Does Negative Information Stay on Your Credit Report? A) Seven Years B) Ten Years C) Forever D) Until Paid Answer: Seven Years Your credit score is one of several factors that go into determining final approval on a new line of credit. If you happen to have something negative on it, like a late payment or a past bankruptcy, it can...

Seniors make twice as many purchases over the phone as any other age group. That leaves them wide open and vulnerable to scams involving phone calls. Because everything is done over the phone and disposable numbers and phones are tossed when the scams are complete, the perpetrator is almost impossible to catch. And when it comes to scamming seniors for...

(FinancialHealth.net) - Your credit score is a measurement of your financial history. If you have a low credit score, it’s harder to get loans, and if you are able to finance anything, you’ll pay thousands of dollars more in interest than someone who has a good credit score. This is why you need to check your credit report at...

(FinancialHealth.net) - Text messages are easy to send and receive, allowing people to communicate at their will instead of when the other person answers the phone. However, don’t think that just because you’re texting you no longer have to deal with telephone scams. Sure they may not call you at all hours of the day, but many scammers are...

(FinancialHealth.net) - Rewards credit cards seem like such a great option. Not only do you get to have a line of credit in your name to spend as needed, but you can also earn ideal rewards each time you use the cards. While this may sound like a great deal to many, rewards cards aren’t actually all they’re cracked...

(FinancialHealth.net) Smart Quiz: When Should You Cancel an Unused Credit Card? A) You Should Never B) You Should Always C) If It Has a Fee D) If High Interest Rate Answer:  C) If It Has a Fee Between paying down debt and boosting your credit score, balancing finances can be challenging. The ultimate goal is to have enough buying power to make big purchases at a...