When you check your credit scores for the first time, you might be surprised to find a three-digit number, even if youâre new to credit. Thatâs because your credit score doesnât start at zero. Read on to learn more about where your score starts and why using credit responsibly is important from day one. Turning … Read more
Dealing with credit card debt in collections can feel overwhelming. Whether its due to financial hardship, unexpected expenses or a moment of oversight, unpaid debts can lead to aggressive collection calls, damage to your credit score and a cloud of financial uncertainty. Thats why the conventional wisdom often suggests paying off all debts as quickly … Read more
The IRS Income Verification Express Service (IVES) lets you authorize banks and lenders to access your tax records when you apply for a mortgage, loan, or other service. The IRS only provides tax records to a third party with the consent of the taxpayer. When applying for a mortgage, lenders will require you to provide … Read more
The Great Depression was a devastating economic crisis that began in 1929 and lasted through the 1930s It was triggered by a stock market crash in October 1929 and led to widespread unemployment and poverty across the United States During this period, the banking system experienced widespread failures, leading many Americans to lose their life … Read more
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to … Read more
Yes, debt collectors can take you to court for unpaid debt. But this wonât be their first move. Debt collection agencies will first call you and send notices in the mail to try to collect on unpaid debt. Itâs common for debt collectors to make several attempts over a period of many months to collect … Read more
Chase offers some of the most popular credit cards on the market and because the issuer’s card benefits are generally top-notch, qualifying for its best cards typically requires good to excellent credit. If you’re looking to get one of Chase’s cards, double-check your credit score and review your credit history before applying. It’s also a … Read more
Credit card debt is a growing concern in the UK, with many individuals and families struggling under high balances. But just how bad is the problem? What is the average credit card debt per person in the UK? Let’s break down the numbers and see where British consumers stand when it comes to credit card … Read more
What actually happens when your mortgage payment is late? The answer can vary from person to person based on your financial history, your loan’s specific rules and how late your payment is. We’ll go through the entire late mortgage payment timeline in detail — including the grace period — so you know your options if … Read more
In September 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) settled with Navient, a once-major U.S. student loan servicer. Navient is banned from servicing federal Direct Loans and must pay $120 million in penalties and relief for affected borrowers. For years, Navient made serious errors that caused borrowers to accumulate thousands of dollars in additional interest … Read more