Credit score Coverage

Credit card debt is rising, here's how to boost your credit score

Your credit score determines your credit worthiness, in other words, your likelihood of paying a loan and back, on time.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Can gym balances on canceled memberships hurt your credit score?

What do outstanding medical bills, credit card bills and gym balances all have in common? They can ruin your credit score if they're not paid. 5 On Your Side shares one woman's cautionary tale.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Who owns your credit score? Not you

Credit agencies know a lot about Americans. The agencies accumulate information, such as Social Security numbers, birthdays, how much savings people have, how much debt they're in and how late they pay their bills.

By Alexandra Peers, CNN Business

New medical debt won't be added to credit reports until after a year it's given to collection agencies

A move by the three big credit rating agencies could have a major impact on American's who are feeling the burden of medical debt.

Strategies to improve your credit score

From buying a car to buying a home, to whether you get that job, your credit score plays a critical role. It pays to have a good one.

5 On Your side shares ways to improve your credit score

From buying a car to buying a home, to whether you get that job, your credit score plays a critical role. It pays to have a good one.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

Survey: College grads are optimistic, interested in raising credit scores as they begin careers

A recent survey by the credit bureau Experian found most college graduates are optimistic about their future.

Renee Chou, WRAL anchor/reporter

Check your credit report for errors

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there's been an increase in errors that are having a negative impact.

Check your credit score: Increase in errors reported since start of pandemic

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, there's been an increase in errors that are having a negative impact.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

FICO scoring changes, becomes trended data

Changes have been made that could have a profound impact on whether you can get a loan to buy a house, car or another big ticket item.

Cary, Raleigh among area cities with best credit ranking

Your credit number is more than just a three-digit number. Residents in cities and towns in the area have some pretty good scores.

Your credit score may soon change. Here's why.

Fair Isaac Corp., the company that creates the widely used three-digit FICO score, is tweaking its formula. Consumers in good financial standing should see their scores bounce a bit higher. But millions of people already in financial distress may experience a fall -- meaning they'll have more trouble getting loans or will pay more for them.

Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times

What you should know about your credit score

Do you know your credit score? Here's a look at everything that number impacts and everything impacted by that number.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Credit score: Fact or fiction

What is your credit score? 5 On Your Side explains why it's important to know.

5 on Your Side breaks down what ID theft services can and can't do

Experts say there are things you should know before purchasing a credit monitoring service.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Equifax settlement over data breach: 5 On Your Side tells you what you need to know

Equifax just agreed to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and states across the country.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Does Equifax owe you any money?

Equifax admitted that it was the victim of a hack and it's paying some of those affected by it. 5 On Your Side tells you how to find out if you are owed any money.

The Ultra FICO: The new credit score?

A new kind of credit score that isn't based on loans can help young people and others get their first credit card.

New type of credit score isn't based on loans, perfect for first-timers

A new kind of credit score that isn't based on loans can help young people and others get their first credit card.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter