Economic Business Articles

If your credit score isn’t as high as you would like it to be there are a few things you can to raise your score.

Send a money order instead of a check (which had your account number) or your credit card information. If you do use a credit card, report any unusual charges or any payments you made for a product that did not arrive, to the credit card company.

To prevent identity theft, always check your account statements carefully each month. Report any suspicious activity or any charges you don’t recognize at once. Also check your credit report regularly and immediately investigate any new credit accounts you do not recognize – this is the best way of detecting and acting on identity theft.

Obviously the most important thing you can do is make your payments on time. Do everything you can to meet your financial obligations. If you are going to be late and you know before hand, call the lender and ask if you can change the due date.

Each bureau uses a modified version of the Fair Isaacs scoring method. Equifax has the BEACON system, Experian has the Experian/Fair Isaac Risk System, and TransUnion has the classic FICO Risk Score system. It is important to know that each bureau uses a slightly different scoring method because scores will be different.

Real Estate. Fallout from the mortgage crisis has affected every home in America.

You have money deposited with an online bank and wonder if it is safe.

The banking industry is running scared. They think you won’t be able to keep up with your credit card payments in 2009 as the nation continues to work its way through this economic meltdown.