Tradelines For Sale: Genuine Strategy or Questionable Shortcut?

The practice of purchasing tradelines involves adding a borrower as an authorized user on an existing credit account. Though this tactic is currently legal, it raises significant ethical and practical concerns. Typically, consumers pay a third party to be added to an established credit account—not to use the account, but to benefit from its positive … Read more

ITIN’s – What You Need to Know

The IRS began issuing Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN’s) in 1996 for individuals who are not eligible for a social security number. Initially, they were issued solely for tax purposes. According to the IRS, “ITIN’s do not provide identity outside the Federal Tax System and should not be offered or accepted as identification for non-tax … Read more

The “Little” Things in Credit Reporting

We all start a new year with new goals, new dreams, and new hopes. For some people, those goals involve getting their credit in order so they might buy a new home, possibly their first home. Most people understand the basics of obtaining and keeping a good credit score – Paying bills on time, not … Read more

Reducing Credit Card Debt

With the stimulus checks that have circulated in the last few years and people staying home more because of the Pandemic, credit card debt shrunk drastically. People were able to pay balances down and even save some money. Unfortunately, it seems that with inflation at the level it is, credit card debt is now at … Read more

Late Payments and Revolving Balances

Late payments and revolving balances are the two things that can do the most damage to a credit score. Having a late payment show up on your credit report probably makes sense but can revolving balances really have as much of a negative impact as a late payment? Absolutely. Let’s look at late payments first. … Read more