Credit Card Help

Credit Card Help: Why your credit report matters more than your credit score -- Focusing only your credit score is like focusing only on your cholesterol number or your age – the number’s important, but not as important as how you got there. That’s why the real key to credit is your credit report ... (See Credit reports versus scores)

7 building blocks of good credit -- Want a good credit score? Know these seven basic moves and you're guaranteed to have one ... (See Good credit score)

5 questions to ask before getting a credit card with an annual fee -- More credit card issuers are adding or increasing annual fees, but there are still plenty of no-fee options. Before you get a new card with an annual fee, make sure the benefits are worth the costs ... (See Annual fee questions to ask)

FICO's 5 factors: The components of a FICO credit score -- How does FICO come up with its widely used credit score? While the inner workings of the FICO scoring system are a closely guarded secret, the company is open about the five basic components of a score. Here's what they are ... (See FICO parts)

Credit card reform arrives in the form of the Credit CARD Act -- The most sweeping credit card changes ever are being imposed on credit card issuers, which in the course of complying, are making dramatic changes in consumers' credit card accounts -- not all of them welcome ... (See Credit card reform law goes in effect)

Credit card video: Cutting up your card the right way -- CreditCards.com's Cynthia Drake shows you the right way to cut up a credit card in order to avoid any possible identity theft. There's more to it than you might think. ... (See Video)

Help with credit card debt -- Whether you're trying to dig out from under debt or just avoid it in the first place, our Credit Card Help section can help you make better decisions ... (See Debt)

5 simple rules to prevent credit card debt -- The CEO of the nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida has some simple rules to help credit card users stay out of debt. ... (See Rules)

4 wrong ways to escape credit card debt -- If you have substantial credit card debt, you may feel trapped. Escaping debt is a must, but there are both right and wrong ways to go about it. We look at four common but ill-advised "solutions" for credit card debt. ... (See Wrong way)

11 tips for dealing with debt collection, collectors -- Deal with it, experts say. Otherwise, matters can only get worse. CreditCards.com has compiled tips to make this process easier. ... (See Debt collection)

Debt collection sample letters -- Debt collectors are limited in what they can do and say by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Often, people in debt can restrict how and when debt collectors can contact them, but to be heard, debtors should assert their rights in writing ... (See Debt collection)

Cut your credit card debt using micropayments -- Big credit card bill too much to handle? Try multiple monthly payments. It can whittle debt faster and align billing with paycheck ... (See Debt)

8 steps to reducing credit card debt -- This structured, disciplined plan will help you bat down credit card debt and regain financial control ... (See Reduce debt)

Credit card debt negotiation in 3 (not) easy steps -- You can still dicker over your credit card debt and work out better terms, but expect a marathon, not a sprint ... (See Negotiate)

Know your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act -- Experts say consumers should face the facts and deal with debt collectors, but also know and understand their consumer rights and protections ... (See Debt collection)

Debt collectors' ethics codes -- Associations of debt collectors try to curb abuses in the collections industry ... (See Ethics)

Dividing credit card debt in divorce -- In a divorce, you can still dicker over your credit card debt and work out better terms, but expect a marathon, not a sprint ... (See Divorce)

8 myths about settling credit card debt -- Before you decide to try debt settlement, make sure you know the difference between common myths -- and the truth. ... (See Myths)

How to cancel a credit card - and close it without hurting your score -- Anyone can take scissors to a credit card, but it takes skill to cancel a card without nicking your credit score ... (See Cancel)

14 key considerations for when filing bankruptcy -- No one intends to go bankrupt. But if it happens to you, there are ways to handle the money issues smartly. ... (See 14 tips)

9 things you must know about debt consolidation -- Debt consolidation programs, called debt management plans, can help you get back on track, but they can also be unnecessary and even detrimental when done poorly or for the wrong reasons. Here's what you need to know. ... (See Debt)

Credit Card Help: Credit reports and credit scores -- All you need to know about credit reports and credit scores, including a look at FICO scores and credit histories and why they matter ... (See Help)

Credit Card Help: How to dispute credit report errors -- Improve your credit score by removing credit report errors. Includes sample letter for disputing an error, and how to contact the three main credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion ... (See Dispute)

Credit Card Help: 9 tips for protecting your credit cards, credit score -- 9 tips for protecting not only your credit cards, but your credit score, too ... (See Protect)

Credit Card Help: 8 steps to picking a credit counselor -- Credit counseling agencies can help you get out of debt. Learn how to select the right one for your debt issues ... (See Counselor)

Credit Card Help: Free credit reports: How to get the actual free one -- The federal government has mandated the three major credit bureaus give free credit reports to consumers at least once per bureau per year. Here's how to get your ... (See Free credit report)

Credit Card Help: How to add a 100-word letter to your credit report -- Your credit report is usually the final word when it comes to lending, but the rules let you make 100 of those words your own ... (See Statement)

Credit Card Help: 8 legitimate ways to improve your credit score now -- There are no instant miracles that improve a flagging credit score, but there are quick and legal ways to improve it ... (See Improve)

Credit Card Help: 10 ways students can build good credit -- A good credit score is more important than ever, and experts say following these 10 steps can put a student on the right credit path ... (See Students build good credit)

Credit Card Help: Why women need their own credit -- When you get married and vow to love 'for richer or for poorer,' it doesn't mean relinquishing your financial independence ... (See Why women need their own credit)

Credit Card Help: Getting married? Don't say 'I do' to bad credit -- With financial mismanagement topping the list of reasons why couples seek divorces, experts say it makes sense to check out your partner’s creditworthiness ... (See Marriage, finances, credit and debt)

Credit Card Help: FICO 08: How new credit score formula will affect you -- When you get married and vow to love 'for richer or for poorer,' it doesn't mean relinquishing your financial independence ... (See FICO 08)

Think you're a credit expert? Take our quizzes and prove it! -- Are you a credit expert? Or maybe you don't know an APR from NPR or CPR. Whichever side you fall on -- or if you're somewhere in the middle -- you can test your knowledge of credit in our quizzes ... (See Quiz)

Credit card help -- We're featuring highlights from our new section, called Credit Card Help: The Basic Fundamentals of Credit Cards. Our goal is to give you all the information you need to become a smart credit cardholder. ... (See Help)

Credit Card Help: Before picking a credit card, know your credit card personality -- With the dizzying variety of credit cards today, it can be tough to choose. Knowing your credit card personality can help sort it out. ... (See Personality)

Credit Card Help: Comparing the various types of credit cards and their features -- Overview of card features offered by cards, including standard, reward, frequent flier, student, business and cards for bad credit. ... (See Credit card types)

Credit Card Help: 10 things you must know about credit reports and credit scores -- You may have heard the terms credit history and credit score. But what exactly is a credit history, what is a credit score -- and why are they so important? ... (See Reports and scores)

Credit Card Help: The basic fundamentals of credit cards -- We'll help you be a smarter credit cardholder. Our new Credit Card Help section features credit card tips, credit card videos, credit card quizzes and much more. ... (See Credit Card Help)

Credit Card Help: 8 things you must know about credit card debt -- Credit card debt is not inevitable. Here are some basic credit guidelines to help keep you out of debt ... (more)

Credit Card Help: 7 things you must know about credit cards -- Forge a positive and fruitful relationship with credit cards by learning the basics before you apply for an account ... (See 7 things)

Credit Card Help: 9 things you should know about balance transfers -- If you’ve racked up debt on a high-interest credit card, transferring the balance to a card with a lower interest may sound like an enticing way to save cash - but it’s not quite as simple as it sounds. Here, get the scoop on what you really need to know about balance transfers before you make the big switch ... (See Balance transfers advice)

Credit Card Help: 10 things you should know about identity theft -- Identity theft is often in the news, but there are a lot of misconceptions swirling around about how to best protect yourself ... (See Identity theft advice)

Credit Card Help: 7 ways to get the most from rewards credit cards -- With virtually all credit card issuers offering rewards, the issue is not whether you should get a rewards card, but what type of rewards card is best for you ... (See Maximize your reward card )

Credit Card Help: 7 things to know about business credit cards -- Ready to take your business to the next level? Here's everything you need to know about business credit cards ... (See Business credit cards)

Credit Card Help: 9 things you need to know about prepaid cards -- Thinking about picking up a reloadable prepaid card? Here’s what you should know first ... (See Reloadable prepaid card tips)

Credit Card Help: 10 worst credit card mistakes -- Making these 10 mistakes will turn good credit into bad and bad credit into lenders-won't-go-near-you credit. ... (See Mistakes)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Diva / Big spender -- You work hard. You play hard. You like the best of everything. After a tough day at work, you'll tell yourself you deserve a treat, whether it's a new pair of shoes or the latest gadget on the shelf. ... (See Diva personality)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Futurist -- You're willing to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain. You've got your finances under control, you don't often feel the need to splurge, and you like to think carefully about the best way to spend your money. ... (See Futurist)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Newbie -- You're finally out on your own -- so now what? You're inexperienced with credit and while you're ready to test the waters, you don't want to get in over your head. ... (See Newbie)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Better Man/Better Woman -- Even if you don't always make perfect decisions, you're a quick learner. You've gotten in credit trouble in the past, but you've turned over a new leaf. ... (See Better)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Veteran -- You're responsible, organized and rarely get in over your head, financially or otherwise. You know your way around a budget, you've got good credit and you pay your bills on time and in full. ... (See Veteran)

Credit Card Help: Your credit card personality: The Avoider -- The less you know about your finances, the better. You get uncomfortable talking or even thinking about money. You let your bills stack up because you feel a sense of dread opening them up. ... (See Avoider)

Credit report sample: Learn to read, understand your credit report -- This interactive guide displays an example of a personal credit report and explains how each part works ... (See User's guide to credit reports)

Credit Card Help: How different are Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Discover really? -- You can group the four most widely used cards in pairs with Visa and MasterCard using one system of transaction and American Express and Discover another. Here's a summary of how each pair of cards operates, their histories and other distinctive points. ... (See Differences)

Credit Card Help: What the new credit card law means for you -- The Credit CARD Act of 2009 includes the most sweeping changes in credit card laws in decades. The final batch of consumer protections took effect Aug. 22, 2010. Here's how its provisions affect you. ... (See Reform)

Credit Card Help: 6 things to consider before choosing a credit card -- When picking a card, the No. 1 tip is to know yourself and how you will use the card ... (See Tips for picking the right credit card)

Credit Card Help: 8 tips to keep credit card rates and fees low -- As the cost of credit creeps ever higher, micro-managing your finances is assuming greater importance. Here are 8 tips to help you keep your interest rates and fees low ... (See 8 tips to keep credit card rates and fees low)

Credit Card Help: Picking the right credit card -- All that you need to know to pick the right credit card for you, with information on balance transfers, prepaid cards, rewards cards and more. ... (See Credit Card Help)