SAN ANTONIO — Hard and soft credit checks both show the same information. The big difference is one has no effect on your credit score while the other will lower it. A hard check happens when you ...

Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ...

Each year, the co-op tracks how much you pay for power and determines how much of the margin you will receive in the form of ...

Landlord credit checks are a valuable tool for property owners who need to vet potential tenants before they approve them for a rental. Information included in a landlord credit check includes payment ...

A good credit score can be the key to accessing many things in life, from better rates on loans to higher credit limits and even apartments. A low credit score or minimal credit history could leave ...

When you or someone else accesses your credit information, the credit bureau that granted the access places a record of the credit check on your credit report. Some credit checks (aka credit inquiries ...

In a significant move toward enhancing consumer financial health, AnnualCreditReport.com, the centralized platform for free credit reports, has expanded its services to allow individuals to access ...

Matt Webber is an experienced personal finance writer, researcher, and editor. He has published widely on personal finance, marketing, and the impact of technology on contemporary arts and culture.

Consumer debt continues to rise in 2025, providing no relief for cash-strapped Americans. Total nonhousing household debt exceeded $3.75 trillion in the second quarter of 2025, according to recent ...