Monitor Your FICO^® Score

In addition to knowing your credit health, monitoring your FICO^® credit score can lead to big savings and more purchasing power. That's why Score Watch from Equifax makes it easy to set a target credit score, see interest rates you are likely to receive and watch your score trend over time.

With Score Watch, you'll receive:
• Continuous score monitoring and notification when a change in your FICO^® score impacts the interest rate you are likely to receive
• Detailed explanations for key score changes and specific tips for understanding your score
• Daily monitoring of your Equifax credit file with alerts of key changes (email / wireless)
• Two Free Score Power^® reports^†, plus discounts on additional Score Power^® reports

"Back-to-School" Season Credit Education

Now that it's "back-to-school" season, remember the one lesson that remains the same year-round: it's always smart to learn as much as you can about your credit. So now's a terrific time to step back and ensure that you're doing everything you can to maintain and improve your financial health.

If you have a budget, are you sticking to it? Do you use your credit wisely and avoid impulse purchases? Remaining vigilant about your credit and finances can be difficult. That's why this month, Equifax has compiled several tips and suggestions regarding your creditworthiness.

First of all, a higher credit score is more attractive to lenders and can ultimately save you a generous sum of money over the course of a loan. That's why it's never too early to learn more about the possible factors that may affect credit scores. There are several steps you can take to help strengthen your creditworthiness.

• Learn what your current FICO^® credit score is, and what appears on your credit report.
• Don't open new credit cards that you don't need just to increase your available credit. This approach could backfire and may potentially lower your score.
• To minimize the number of inquiries on your credit report, don't apply for multiple credit cards over a short period of time, or for a card you're not likely to get. Apply for new credit accounts only as needed.
• Try to keep your total account balances as low as possible. High outstanding debt may negatively affect your score.
• Address incorrect information that appears on your credit report by utilizing the Equifax online dispute tool at www.equifax.com/online-credit-dispute.
• Make all of your payments on time. If forced to miss a payment, be sure to pay the missed payment the following month along with the current payment. Accounts that are past due will be indicated on your credit report. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
• If you fall behind on paying a bill because of illness, unemployment, or family issues, write a short explanation to the credit reporting agencies. They will add it to your credit report. Also, call your creditor to explain the circumstances and, if possible, work out a payment schedule you can meet.
• Most importantly, continue to check your credit report regularly, charting your progress along the way.

Tip Of The Month: Credit Rankings

While checking up on your credit is very important to your financial health, it's only natural to wonder where you stand in comparison to others in your area, your state, or even across the nation. That's exactly what Equifax Credit Rankings™ can do for you. You can see not only how your credit and debt compare to area, state and national rankings, but also such important comparisons as mortgage payments, credit card debt, inquiries and more.

Visit the Equifax Member Center — it's the first step to finding out how you measure up. Find out more today about Equifax Credit Rankings today!

Quiz: Debt Repayment vs. Investing

Which is the better financial decision for you — paying off a debt you may have or investing that same amount? Take our simple quiz to find out which decision may be best for your financial situation.

Customer Know-How: The Ins and Outs of your Credit

Understanding your credit is imperative, but what's the difference between a credit score and a credit report? In short, your credit score is a number derived from a statistical model of the information in your credit report, indicating the amount of risk you pose to a lender. Your credit report, on the other hand, is a compilation of information about you and your credit history. There are three nationwide credit-reporting agencies that compile this information.

As a general rule, your credit report will include the following:
• Your personal information (name, address, employers, SSN, etc.)
• Your credit history including open accounts, closed or inactive accounts (which will stay on your report for 7-11 years from the date of last activity, depending on the manner in which they were paid), and the details of each of these accounts
• Identification of the requests for your credit report from outside sources (such as a prospective lender, landlord, insurer, employer, etc.). These will stay on your credit report for up to 2 years.
• Public records obtained from government sources such as tax liens, bankruptcies, judgments against you, and overdue child support. Most public record information stays on your credit report for 7 years, although bankruptcies will stay on for up to 10.

• Lenders and potential lenders
• Landlords
• Insurance companies
• Employers and potential employers (if certain disclosures and authorizations are provided)
• Companies you allow to monitor your credit report for signs of identity theft
• Some groups considering your application for a government license or benefit
• A state or local child support enforcement agency, in certain circumstances
• Someone who uses your credit report to provide a product or service you have requested
• Someone that has your written authorization to obtain your credit report

• Incorrect or incomplete personal information (name, address, etc.)
• Accounts that you never opened
• Accounts that you've closed but appear open and do not list "closed by consumer"
• Accounts with inaccurate histories (e.g. payments listed as "late" when you know they were on time)
• Negative credit information exceeding seven to ten years (depending on the item)