Credit Research News - January, 2004

The lowdown on what affects your credit score

Many people collect credit cards like some collect Beanie Babies. The average household now carries about $9,000 in credit card debt.

Transferring balances carries some caveats

Beware of frustrations and hidden pitfalls awaiting folks who move balances from one card to another.

In addition to your stuff, insurers have ID covered

Identity theft insurance reimburses victims the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit reports.

Holiday privacy: You'd better watch out

Congress is working overtime on legislation that would give consumers new weapons to fight identity theft

Telemarketers covet phone-number data

Behind every phone number is a wealth of personal information companies can sell to their affiliates without your permission

Gap feared in identity protection

Recent changes in federal laws could roll back identity-theft protections

Identity theft suspect sought

Woman failed to appear for court; no-bail warrant issued

Credit crunch coming?

Card delinquencies have hit a record; the housing slowdown could mean more pain is coming

Credit schemes can turn repairs into despair

Attorney General announced that his office obtained a judgment of nearly $1 million against an illegal 'credit repair' business

Forget your bank balance? It's available on the Internet

Consumers' financial details easy pickings on the Net

A real-life 'catch me if you can'

Federal Trade Commission survey found that 27.3 million Americans had experienced identity theft in the past five years, including 9.9 million last year

Americans build mountain of debt, savings rate slides

Consumer debt has more than doubled in the past 10 years to record levels, making it hard for many families to cope.

Improve your financial well-being in just one step a month

A dozen simple financial steps - one for each month - that can put you in better financial shape by year-end

Man Sues Firm Over Misleading Unsolicited E-Mails offering Credit

CMG's 1200 e-mails were 'designed to entice' him to believe he was applying for a major credit card, such as a VISA or MasterCard, Gordon said. But CMG was really offering its own products and credit.

80 Accused in Credit Rating Scam

80 suspects accused in a scam in which the identities and credit histories of dead people were stolen and then used to buy cars.