Debt collectors may fall short of carting you off to jail, but there are several less extreme steps they can take in order to collect what may be owed. Here are seven things they generally can do and a few things to know about your own rights. 

Looking for ways to keep more cash in your pocket? Boosting your credit score could be a good place to start. In fact, a study shows raising your credit score from the range considered “fair” to the range considered “very good” could save an average of $316 per month¹.  But how could you potentially make that jump?  Credit report errors could be the culprit Some people have errors on their credit report that bring down their credit score — like late payments that weren’t late, for example. Unfortunately, these errors can have a negative impact on your credit score, which, depending on the severity, might lead to unfavorable results like: Losing out on an apartment or job Being denied for

Are you ready for a reset on 2020? You aren’t alone.  If this year wasn’t the kindest to your credit, there are plenty of steps you can take to get it back on the right track.  Check out a few tips to improve your credit you might want to tackle in 2021.  Stay in tune with your credit report and credit score  The first step you can take to begin proactively managing your credit? Regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores.  A quick refresher: There are three primary credit reporting agencies (CRAs) — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each CRA collects information from lenders and creditors — otherwise known as data furnishers — to add to your credit report. Data

Sometimes managing credit and monitoring your credit score can feel like a game of chess. But while the credit impact of certain financial moves may feel like a mystery, there are some general guidelines surrounding what may happen to your credit score in different circumstances.  So let’s take a look at what may happen to your credit score if… You receive a hard credit inquiry Size of Credit Score Drop: 5 points or less, according to FICO A hard credit inquiry generally occurs when you voluntarily apply for a new form of credit and the lender or creditor pulls your credit report to determine your credit health. This may cause your credit score to drop five points or less, at

Being “credit invisible” might sound like a superpower, however, in the world of finances it’s anything but.  Your credit report and credit score — two factors that are generally considered important for getting a mortgage, credit card, and more — are based in large part on your history of managing credit. If you are considered “credit invisible,” you don’t have a history for the credit system to pull from.  So then what happens?  The good news is, it’s not the end of the world. We’ve compiled some helpful information and tips for establishing your credit and potentially accessing the financial products you are looking for. What Does it Mean to Be Credit Invisible? There are three primary credit reporting agencies

Did you know your credit report might contain errors? These errors could result in a variety of issues: higher fees and interest rates on loans, credit denial, or even trouble getting approved for an apartment or job.  Many people turn to traditional credit repair companies to resolve these errors and end up spending hundreds of dollars a month with no guarantee of lasting results.  But you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune on credit repair. There are free tools out there (like ours — Upturn really is a free tool) and there are important reasons to take advantage of these tools to resolve credit report errors.  Boost your credit score  If your credit report incorrectly indicates past-due payments, your