How Long Does a Foreclosure Stay on Your Credit Reports?
A foreclosure stays on your credit reports for seven years from the first missed payment — but you can start restoring your credit right away.
FICO Score 9: What You Need to Know
The FICO 9 credit scoring model includes rent payments, downplays medical debt and excludes paid collections.
What Is the Highest Credit Score? Can You Get a ‘Perfect’ Score?
The highest credit score is generally an 850 for FICO or VantageScore.
What Is a Good Credit Score and How Do I Get One?
On a scale of 300-850, a "good" credit score falls somewhere in the mid-600s to mid-700s. Knowing what affects your score — and how to build or fix it — can help you qualify for better credit cards, loans, and interest rates.
What is a Hard Inquiry and How Long Does It Affect Your Credit?
A hard inquiry stays on your credit report for two years but typically won’t affect your score for more than a year.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Dispute credit report errors to get mistakes or outdated information off your credit history, which can help your score.
The 3 Credit Bureaus and Why They Matter to You
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion are the three credit reporting agencies that gather data about your finances and compile them into credit reports, which determine your credit score.
Equifax Credit Freeze: 3 Ways to Protect Your Data
A freeze protects your credit, and it’s free and easy to do. You can manage your Equifax credit file online, by phone or by mail.
What Is a VantageScore?
This guide explains how VantageScore works, what affects it most, and how it compares with FICO.
How to Unfreeze Your Credit With Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Contact each credit bureau individually to unfreeze credit online, by phone or by mail. It's free.
How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit: Video and Guide
You can place a free freeze with each bureau online, by phone or by mail. Read or watch our step-by-step instructions to learn how.
Credit Lock vs. Freeze: How They Compare and When to Use Them
Credit freezes and credit locks both block unauthorized access to your credit reports. Freezes are free and may afford more legal protections.
Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work
Your credit score says a lot about your financial health — but what does that three-digit number really mean? This guide breaks down credit score ranges from poor to excellent, explains how lenders use them and shares easy ways to give your score a boost.
How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your TransUnion Credit Report
You can freeze or thaw your credit at TransUnion online, by phone or by mail. Freezing your credit is a free and fast way to protect your finances from identity theft.
Experian Credit Freeze: How It Works, Why to Consider It
You can freeze your credit in minutes to protect your identity and financial information. It's free and you can thaw at any time.
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have?
Having two credit cards from different lenders is a solid place to start, but there's no magic end point. Focus on spending habits and paying on time.
Child Identity Theft: How to Freeze and Protect Your Child’s Credit
Because kids don’t use credit, identity theft can be hard to spot. A credit freeze is one of the best ways parents and guardians can protect them.
Credit Privacy Number: A CPN Is a Scam, Not a Solution
CPNs are marketed to people who want to rebuild their credit. NerdWallet’s advice is to steer clear and restore credit with trusted methods.
Credit Check for Employment: What Employers See and What It Means for You
A credit check for employment reveals parts of your credit history — not your score. Here's what employers see, your legal rights and how to get ready.