Credit repair scams are abundant as more and more people who have taken on debt are desperate to find a way out. The scam is the same over and over again. These companies promise to erase your credit and help you start fresh, and all you have to do is pay them a fee.

Citi is another credit card that is offering free credit scores in the latest financial institution perks to give customers free credit scores through the FICO Open Access program, FICO announced, making it the largest participant in the program that will be available to more than 60 million consumers in 2015.

You need to have a firm understanding of the minimum credit score for auto loan — applying for a car loan without such basic knowledge will hurt your chances.

A credit bureau is an information clearinghouse that compiles information on consumers. The credit grantors, or lenders, report consumer payment history to the credit bureaus. The credit bureaus then compile that information together with information on tax liens, bankruptcies, and court judgments that is available in public records. In return, when consumers apply for credit, lenders can check credit reports to determine the creditworthiness of consumers.

When you move, it’s often important to report your change of address to the United States Postal Service or you risk missing important mailings like credit card and utility bills.