Demystifying Credit Karma: A Comprehensive Guide to Free Credit Scores and Reports

In summary, TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three main consumer credit bureaus, provide the credit scores and reports that you see on Credit Karma. They might not match other reports and scores available, but they should fairly represent the credit information that those bureaus have reported about you. Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives … Read more

Is Self a Credit Card?

No, this is a secured credit card with no hard credit check. How much can I raise my credit score with Self’s secured credit building credit card? The Self credit builder card may be able to help you raise your score, but it will depend on how you use it and other factors specific to … Read more

What is Considered a Cash Advance on a Credit Card?

Certain “cash-like” credit card transactions are considered cash advances and trigger higher interest plus a cash advance fee. Examples include using your credit card to prevent overdraft fees, buying money orders, depositing convenience checks, and sending money via specific payment apps. At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. Although there … Read more

Churning: A Four-Letter Word in the Mortgage Business

Churning a term synonymous with aggressive lending practices, is a growing concern in the mortgage industry. It involves lenders pressuring borrowers to refinance their mortgages shortly after closing, often with little or no financial benefit. This can result in borrowers incurring additional closing costs and fees, essentially getting stuck in a cycle of debt. Types … Read more

Can You Buy a House If You Work Under the Table?

Regardless of your identity, obtaining a mortgage may seem unattainable if your income is non-traditional, or what the media refers to as “variable,” until you actually try. In the gig economy, it can seem as though everyone else is getting their own space while you haven’t even received an invitation to the celebration. This is … Read more