According to a recent poll by Experian, one in five Americans has reported they have experienced some form of identity theft. If it happens to you, and your identity is stolen, you might be in for a lengthy hassle that could cost you your credit rating and leave a permanent blight on your financial records.

How Credit Card Theft Starts

Thieves start by targeting your personal information: Social security numbers, bank statements, tax reports, credit card debit information and passwords, or even your checkbook. Don’t leave this valuable information lying around at your office, or in your car. Be aware that you are leaving a door open for anyone to get access to your bank account or credit card information. Question anyone who asks for your credit information, including employers; find out what their privacy policy is and get a copy of it. Shred all documents no matter how insignificant they may seem to you. In addition, don’t ever lend your credit card to ANYONE, including family members, unless you are willing to take on their debt personally. Many family arguments have ended up in court with bitter feelings from one time casual credit card or debit card lending that got out of hand. When you apply for a credit card, be certain that their online application is secured, and the privacy notice is posted.

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Credit repair advertisements claim to guarantee a quick fix on your credit report. They promise for a fee (not always disclosed at first) to clean up your credit history so that you can qualify for a new home, car, insurance, a job, or premium credit cards. Before you sign up with one of these companies, you need to know some facts.

The real facts on fixing your credit score

The real truth is that no one can legally remove information on a credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows you, the consumer, to request an investigation of information in your file that you dispute as inaccurate or incomplete. There is no charge to you. There are other steps that you can do yourself, without paying a credit repair company, such as:

*You are allowed a free credit report if a company denies you credit, insurance, or employment (if this is a part of your employment application) provided you request a report within 60 days of this denial. (more…)

Should you get Visa or MasterCard? Is one of them better than the other? Will one of them help your credit rating more than the other? Many people ask themselves these types of questions when they think about getting their first credit card or additional ones. The fact is, few differences exist between the two credit card brands today, but you can benefit by having a better understanding of the two companies and using their competition to your advantage.

Just Who Are Visa and MasterCard

First, you should know that neither Visa nor MasterCard actually issue credit cards themselves. Neither company deals with consumers or merchants directly. (more…)

During a time when personal identity theft is on the rise, protecting your credit card is more important than ever. With the implementation of a few pre-emptive measures, you can help prevent your identity from being stolen. More importantly, you will protect your well-earned credit rating.

The minute you receive a credit card you should immediately document the account number, the expiration date, and the telephone number to call in case the cards are lost or stolen. Once you have documented the necessary information, file it away in a place where you can easily access it later; you will find the information extremely helpful if you lose your card or are a victim of theft.

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Do you think you have bad credit and that you should apply for bad credit credit cards? Before you begin filling out bad-credit credit card applications, there are a few things you should consider. To determine if bad-credit credit cards are right for you, you will need to take a detailed look at your credit situation.

No Credit

If you are thinking about applying for bad-credit credit cards because you have no credit history, think again. Just because you have not established a credit history it does not mean that you need to apply for bad-credit credit cards. In fact, there is a clear difference between having no credit and having bad credit.

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Cash back credit cards are an excellent way to earn money while you spend! Instead of making purchases with standard credit cards, you might want to consider applying for cash back credit cards because such cards reward you with cash back on every purchase you make! Further, in addition to cash back on all of your purchases, cash back credit cards offer you the opportunity to afford additional savings, in ways you might not have imagined possible.

Cash Back

The obvious benefit derived from having cash back credit cards is the money that consumers get back on every purchase. Frequently, credit card issuing companies will supply credit card users with approximately 5% cash back on certain purchases like those made at drug stores, supermarkets, and gas stations. Additionally, many credit card companies will give 1% cash back on all other purchases. Needless to say, if you use your credit card frequently, such benefits can add up quickly. Further, your accumulated savings can be used for just about anything, but you can really save if you follow the example provided below.

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