Negotiating a Collection Agency Payment Plan: What You Need to Know
Dealing with an outstanding collection can be nerve wracking, especially when you're trying to do the right thing and make every effort to pay your debt.
Deanna Templeton
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Does Paying Off a Loan Early Hurt Your Credit Score?
Does paying off a loan early hurt your credit score? Not directly, but keeping an account open might be good for your score. Find out more at Credit.com.
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Does Deferring Student Loans Affect Credit?
A deferment or forbearance may give you some breathing room if you can't pay your student loans. But does deferring student loans affect credit?
Credit 101
Help! I Can't Get Someone Else's Mistakes Off My Credit Report
Errors in your credit report should be disputed with the credit reporting agencies. Also: What to do if you suspect fraud or identity theft.
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An Auto Loan Inquiry Dropped My Credit Score 80 Points! What Now?
One of our readers went car shopping and had an unpleasant surprise when the dealer made a credit inquiry. Can an auto loan inquiry tank your credit score?
Credit Cards
Is a Balance Transfer Bad for My Credit?
When you have credit card debt, which is better for your credit score: Paying it off in full or doing a balance transfer to another credit card?
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Why Are Utilities & Rent Payments Not Included in My Credit Report?
A reader recently wrote in to find out why his utilities and rental payments weren't being reported in his credit reports or factored into his credit score
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How Will Collections Affect My Ability to Buy a Home?
A reader who's planning to buy a house is worried that charge-offs on her credit report could hurt her chances of qualifying for a home loan.
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Maxing Out on Credit Cards: How Long Will It Hurt Your Credit?
Does maxing out on credit cards affect your credit score, and if so -- for how long?
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2 Years After Bankruptcy, My Credit Is Still Bad — Why?
While bankruptcy offers a chance at a fresh start, trying to repair the credit damage caused by bankruptcy can be downright frustrating.
