CreditReady

Understand your credit. Build better habits.

What it is

CreditReady is a research and organizing tool for anyone who wants control of their credit. It explains the words, shows you how to check your reports for free, and helps you organize disputes, payments and questions before you pick up the phone.

Meet Marcus, the CreditReady Specialist. Ask Marcus a question in your own words and get an answer in plain language, in text for free and by voice for members. Everything on the page can be read in about 30 languages.

What you can research here

• What affects a credit score and what doesn't
• How to get your free credit reports and what to check on them
• How a credit freeze or fraud alert works
• What to do if your identity was stolen
• Warning signs of credit repair scams
• Free or low-cost help from legitimate counselors

Free tools, ready to use

• Credit Words in Plain EnglishTwelve credit words you will see on every report, in plain English.
• What Affects CreditThe five things most scoring models look at, and what each one means for everyday habits.
• Get Your Free Credit ReportsHow to get all three reports free, and how to avoid look-alike sites.
• Credit Use CalculatorType a balance and a limit to see how much of your limit you are using.
• Report Review ChecklistTen checks to run on every credit report.
• Dispute Question OrganizerDescribe one possible error.
• Payment-Date WorksheetList your due dates once.
• Credit Freeze & Fraud AlertsWhat each one does, what it costs (nothing), and how to place one.
• If Your Identity Was StolenFirst steps, in order.
• Credit Repair Warning SignsWhat honest help looks like, and the signs of a scam.
• Questions to Ask a Lender, Counselor, or Debt CollectorThree printable lists to bring to a call or a meeting.
• Find Free or Low-Cost HelpWhere to get a trusted nonprofit counselor and where to report problems.

Members get even more

Members unlock a deeper set of tools, and a personal file you can save and bring back any time. A few of them:

• My Credit Setup
• My Credit Action File
• Report Comparison Workspace
• Dispute Evidence Packet
• Fill-In Letter Library
• Debt Payoff Planner
• Professional Summary Packet
• Credit Monitoring

What you can achieve

• Read a report and spot mistakes
• Organize disputes and keep evidence in one place
• Plan a payoff with real numbers
• Know what to ask a lender, a counselor or a debt collector

CreditReady provides general information and organizing tools, not financial or legal advice.