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Credit Cards

Close any cards you used at Target during the breach

January 13, 2014 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: My debit card was part of the recent Target data breach (my credit union called me). I’ve read articles telling me to pull my credit reports. Here’s the thing: I already requested two of my three free credit reports in early December. When I read about the Target incident, I requested the third one. So now, if I pull a credit report, I’d have to pay for it. I’m very concerned about this, as my finances are tight.

Answer: The information that was stolen in the Target breach — and immediately put up for sale on black-market sites — is not the kind of personal information that’s typically needed to open new accounts, said John Ulzheimer, credit expert for CreditSesame.com. So buying your credit reports or investing in credit monitoring, which is how you would spot new account fraud, isn’t strictly necessary, he said.

The information that was stolen can be used in what’s known as “account takeover,” which means the bad guys can take over existing accounts and make fraudulent charges. In the case of a debit card, that means they can drain your bank account. With a credit card, you wouldn’t have to pay the fraudulent transactions, but dealing with them could still be a hassle.

Either way, you would be smart to close any debit or credit card used at Target between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, the time of the breach, and ask for a replacement, Ulzheimer said.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Identity Theft, Q&A Tagged With: breach, Credit Cards, Identity Theft, Target

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

January 8, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Five credit card mistakes that you can fix. Also in the news: Staying financially fit in the new year, making 2014 the year you get out of debt, and how to give your paycheck a boost.Credit Check 1

5 Credit Card Mistakes You Can Fix
How to right credit card wrongs.

5 Ways to Stay Financially Fit in 2014
Getting your wallet in shape.

Why 2014 is the year to get out of debt
There’s no better time than the present.

4 Ways You Can Earn More in 2014
Give your paycheck a boost.

How to Cure Your Post-Holiday Financial Hangover
A little hair of the dog won’t help.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, debt, earnings, holiday spending, salary, tips

Friday’s need-to-know money news

January 3, 2014 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Assessing the damage created by holiday spending. Also in the news: Stress testing your personal finances, New Year’s resolutions for baby boomers, and finding help with getting out of debt.

Did the Holidays Hurt Your Credit?
Analyzing the Christmas carnage.

Stress-Testing Our Personal Finances
Preparing your finances for unexpected crises.

New Year’s Resolutions Boomers Should Make
Establishing better financial habits.

8 Tips to Find Help With Your Debt
You don’t have to do it alone.

The Best Online Tools for Your Housing Search
Your new home could be just a click away.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, debt, habits, holiday spending, housing search, online tools

New giveaway: “Confessions of a Credit Junkie”

December 17, 2013 By Liz Weston

Confessions of a Credit Junkie High Res OriginalCongratulations to Kim from Davis, California, who won the copy of Mary Hunt’s “The Smart Woman’s Guide to Planning for Retirement” that I was giving away last week.

This week’s giveaway is Beverly Herzog’s “Confessions of a Credit Junkie.” Beverly made big mistakes with her credit, but was able to dig her way out. In the process, she became an expert on credit and credit cards. Whether you need inspiration for dealing with debt or just want some tips for getting the most out of your cards, Beverly’s book will be a big help.

To enter, leave a comment here on my blog (not my Facebook page).

Click on the tab above the post that says “comments.” Make sure to include your email address, which won’t show up with your comment, but I’ll be able to see it.

If you haven’t commented before, it may take a little while for your comment to show up since comments are moderated. But rest assured, it will.

The winners will be chosen at random Friday night. Over the weekend, please check your email (including your spam filter). If I don’t hear from a winner by noon Pacific time on Monday, his or her prize will be forfeited and I’ll pick another winner.

Also, check back here often for other giveaways.

The deadline to enter is midnight Pacific time on Friday. So–comment away!

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: book giveaway, Credit, Credit Cards, debt, giveaway

Credit myths that need to die

December 17, 2013 By Liz Weston

YCS4 coverThe more you understand about how credit works, the more frustrated you get with how much misinformation is floating around out there. At least, that’s true for me and the three experts who joined me last week on a Google hangout to talk about “Credit myths that need to die.”

John Ulzheimer, who’s worked at Equifax and Fair Isaac, has unique insight into the credit reporting world. One thing that drives him around the bend is the persistent myth that employers use credit scores to evaluate applicants. Another myth he hates: the one about how closing accounts hurts your credit scores.

Gerri Detweiler, who writes for Credit.com and runs the DebtCollectionAnswers.com, discusses how medical debts affect your credits and debunks the myth that you need to carry balances to improve your credit scores.

Maxine Sweet heads consumer education at Experian and battles the myth that there’s just one credit score.

Take some time today to check out our discussion. You’ll come away from it a lot more informed about credit and how to make yours the best.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Cards, credit myths, Credit Scores, credit scoring, Experian, FICO

Join our credit chat tomorrow

December 12, 2013 By Liz Weston

liz-credit-mythsI’ll be hosting a live video panel discussion about credit myths and facts tomorrow, Dec. 13, at noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific. Joining me will be John Ulzheimer of SmartCredit.com, Gerri Detweiler of Credit.com and Maxine Sweet of Experian.

This is a reprise of a conversation we had at FinCon13, the financial blogger conference held in St. Louis this fall. People there really seemed to get a lot out of it, so we thought we’d share our insights with a broader audience.

My panelists have the inside scoop on the credit industry. John has more than two decades’ experience working in the consumer credit industry, including stints with credit bureau Equifax and credit score creators Fair Isaac (creators of the FICO scoring formula). Gerri’s my go-to expert on consumer credit and debt collection; she’s also the author of the books “The Ultimate Credit Handbook” and “Slash Your Debt.” Maxine Sweet leads Experian’s consumer education efforts and knows how to give clear, concise (and correct!) answers to your questions.

You’ll find the live video stream here. Please bookmark the site and join us tomorrow for insights you won’t find elsewhere. Thanks!

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit, Credit Cards, Credit Scores, debt, FICO scores

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