Articles

Your tenant background check report can affect whether you get rental housing, the terms of your lease, and how much you pay for rent or a security deposit.

Includes a list of contacts and practical steps to help you get your finances back on track after a weather emergency.

Companies sometimes try to get new customers by sending “prescreened” offers. Learn how prescreening works and how to opt out.

If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, it’s important to respond — either yourself or through an attorney. And remember, you have rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors. Here are answers to some common questions you might have about the process.

When it comes to preparing for weather emergencies or other disasters, financial readiness is as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. Leaving your home can be stressful, but knowing that your personal and financial documents are up to date, in one place, and easy to find can make a big difference. Here’s how to organize important papers before a disaster strikes.

Here’s what to know about how to dispute errors on your credit report and avoid credit repair scams.

Did you apply for credit and get turned down? Or did a lender offer you less favorable terms for credit? If so, they have to give you a notice with certain information. Improving your credit may take some time, but taking some steps will help you do it. 

When you cosign a loan for a friend or family member, you put your finances and creditworthiness on the line. Here’s what you need to know before you cosign a loan.

If you don’t make your loan payments, you might owe extra fees, damage your credit score, and lose your home. Find out how to get legitimate help.

Are you having trouble paying your car loan and thinking about doing business with a company that promises to get you a loan with lower monthly payments? Not all refinancing companies play by the rules. Learn how to recognize, avoid, and report auto loan refinancing scams.

Need cash fast to deal with an emergency, bills, or rent? A payday loan or car title loan might be tempting. But these are expensive loans and they can trap you in debt. Find out how they work and about other possible ways to get money or credit quickly.

Do you owe back taxes and don’t know how you’re going to pay them? Tax relief companies say they can lower or get rid of your tax debts and stop back-tax collection. They say they’ll apply for IRS hardship programs on your behalf for an upfront fee. But in many cases, they leave you even further in debt. Your best bet is to try to work out a payment plan with the IRS for federal taxes or your state comptroller if you owe state taxes. 

Here’s what to know about the rules and your rights when a collector contacts you about a deceased relative’s debts.

Scammers promise to make changes to your mortgage loan or take other steps to save your home, but they don’t deliver. Never pay a company upfront for promises to help you get relief on paying your mortgage.

Reverse mortgages let you cash in on the equity in your home: these mortgages can have serious implications.

A merchant’s hold – or block – on your credit card may mean you can’t use your card for awhile. You might have to pay overdraft charges.

Signing over your disability settlement payments to raise cash fast can hurt your finances in the long run. You may end up without enough money to live on.