Book description
"Excellent book! Insightful, well written, and surprisingly interesting! Liz Pulliam Weston has done an outstanding job demystifying an often intimidating and frustrating topic for the benefit of all consumers."
–Eric Tyson, syndicated columnist and best-selling author of Personal Finance for Dummies
"In a country where consumers increasingly pay more when they have bad credit, Liz Pulliam Weston's book provides excellent tips and advice on ways to improve your credit history and raise your credit score. If you just apply one or two of her insightful suggestions, you'll save many times the cost of this book."
–Ilyce R. Glink, financial reporter, talk show host, and best-selling author of 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask
"Your credit score can save you money or cost you money–sometimes a lot of money. Yet, most people don't even know their scores, much less know how to make them better. Liz Pulliam Weston can help you fix that. In this easy-to-understand guide you'll learn how to make sure your score helps you get the best deal on loans and insurance. You can't afford not to read it."
–Gerri Detweiler, consumer advocate and founder of UltimateCredit.com
A complete action plan for improving your credit score–starting today!
Information that could save you thousands on credit and insurance... even help you get your next job!
Explains the rules, explodes the myths!
Up-to-the-minute information on today's radically new credit scoring system from MSN/L.A. Times personal finance journalist Liz Pulliam Weston.
© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.
Table of contents
- Copyright
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- 1. Why Your Credit Score Matters
- 2. How Credit Scoring Works
- 3. Improving Your Score—The Right Way
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4. Credit Scoring Myths
- Myth 1: Closing Credit Accounts Will Help Your Score
- Myth 2: You Can Boost Your Score By Asking Your Credit Card Company to Lower Your Limits
- Myth 3: You Can Hurt Your Score By Checking Your Own Credit Report
- Myth 4: You Can Hurt Your Score By Shopping Around for the Best Rates
- Myth 5: You Don't Have to Use Credit to Get a Good Credit Score
- Myth 6: You Have to Pay Interest to Have a Good Credit Score
- Myth 7: Adding a 100-Word Statement to Your File Can Help Your Score If You Have an Unresolved Dispute with a Lender
- Myth 8: Your Closed Accounts Should Read “Closed By Consumer,” Or They Will Hurt Your Score
- Myth 9: Credit Counseling Is Worse Than Bankruptcy
- Myth 10: Bankruptcy Hurts Your Score So Much That It's Impossible to Get Credit
- 5. Coping with a Credit Crisis
-
6. Rebuilding Your Score After a Credit Disaster
- Part I: Credit Report Repair
- Part II: Adding Positive Information to Your File
- Part III: Use Your Credit Well
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7. Identify Theft and Your Credit
-
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Identity Theft
- Buy a Shredder
- Get a Locking Mailbox
- Protect Your Outgoing Mail
- Keep Track of Your Receipts
- Keep Your Financial Documents Under Lock and Key
- Get Stingy with Your Social Security Number
- Know What's in Your Wallet
- Ask About Shredding Policies
- Don't Let Your Debit Card Out of Your Sight
- Opt Out of Credit Card Solicitations, Junk Mail, and Telemarketing
- Don't Use a Cell or Cordless Phone to Discuss Financial Matters
- Be Wary of Telephone Solicitors and Emails Purporting to Be from Financial Institutions
- Monitor Your Social Security Statements
- Monitor Your Credit Reports
-
What to Do If You're Already a Victim
- Keep Good Notes of Every Conversation You Have Regarding the ID Theft
- Contact the Credit Bureaus By Phone and Then with a Follow-Up in Writing
- Contact the Creditors By Phone and Then with a Follow-Up in Writing
- Contact the Police or Local Sheriff
- Contact Bank and Checking Verification Companies
- Contact the Collection Agencies
- Get Legal Help
- Don't Give Up
- When Parents Steal
- What to Do If the Credit Bureau Won't Budge
-
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Identity Theft
- 8. Emergency! Fixing Your Credit Score Fast
- 9. Insurance and Your Credit Score
- 10. Keeping Your Score Healthy
Product information
- Title: Your Credit Score: How to Fix, Improve, and Protect the 3-Digit Number that Shapes Your Financial Future
- Author(s):
- Release date: October 2004
- Publisher(s): Pearson
- ISBN: 0131486039
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