Equifax Credit Watch Gold Review: Credit Report Monitoring

NextAdvisor Credit Report Blog Headlines

The New York Times ponders the plight of the Internet user
In this day and age, even the Fashion & Style section of The New York Times is worried about Internet security issues. This weekend, the Times recounted the experiences of Allan Goldstein, a 60 year old college professor who uses the Internet, but does so a bit nervously. He worries that NYU's online system will [...]

New FTC rules will require explanations for higher interest rates
The Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission have issued new rules designed to help inform consumers about the impact of their credit histories on the interest rates they are offered when seeking loans. The rules will require lenders to notify consumers who are offered higher interest rates due to their poor credit histories. Consumers who [...]

Data breaches are like mice, or cockroaches
Why are data breaches like mice or cockroaches? Because for every one that you see, there are hundreds or even thousands that you don't see. According to the FBI's top Internet crimes investigator, the public only knows about a handful of the thousands of data breaches investigated by the FBI. Because companies that suffer from data [...]

Popular retailers decline personal checks
The Dallas Morning News points out that many popular retailers, including Diesel, True Religion, Ed Hardy, and Lululemon Athletica are no longer accepting personal checks. Gap and Whole Foods are toying with the idea, as well. Since few customers use personal checks these days, some retailers no longer consider the convenience worth the risk of [...]

Data Breach Alert: Social Security numbers printed on postcards
Last week, the Universal American Action Network, a subsidiary of Universal American Insurance, sent 80,000 postcards to Medicare participants throughout the country. On these postcards, printed above the recipients' names, were their Social Security numbers. The mistake occurred because Social Security numbers are often used as Medicare account numbers. The Universal American Action Network responded by [...]

Why do I have different credit scores from TrueCredit and Experian?
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way. Q: I have a 3 score report from True Credit and one from Experian. They have totally different scores. Why would this be? [...]

163,000 Social Security numbers compromised in UNC data breach
In July, a University of North Carolina researcher was unable to access a server containing information pertaining to a federally funded mammography study. That information included records on a total of 236,000 women, and Social Security numbers for about 163,000 of those women. Further investigation revealed that the system had been hacked as long ago [...]

Lower credit limits for California residents?
MSNBC reports that a San Diego resident was told that his credit limit was lowered simply because he lives in California. Paul Smith recieved a letter from issuing bank HSBC informing him that, based on information obtained from Equifax and due to the current economic environment, the credit limit for his General Motors credit card [...]

Seriously, people, check your statements!
As you probably know by now, federal law limits your liability to $50 for unauthorized credit card charges. But that limit only applies if you notify your bank within 60 days. That's why it's absolutely crucial to check your bank and credit card statements regularly. One Colorado retiree learned this lesson the hard way. Don Godding [...]

Consumer Reports advises college students on responsible use of credit
In anticipation of the start of a new school year, Consumer Reports is blogging about personal finance issues for college students. Today's post kicks off the series by addressing credit card debt. Some points worth noting: 84% of undergraduate students have at least one credit card, and more than half have four or more. Only 17% pay off [...]